SUPPORT FOR PORTUGUESE AND FOREIGNERS IN IRAN AND ISRAEL
Our office has been trying to support Portuguese and foreigners who are in Iran and Israel or who have relations with our country and here is a summary of what is happening in June 2025.
Tehran — Portuguese embassy suspends activities
In August 2024, due to the worsening regional tensions in the Middle East, the Portuguese Embassy in Tehran officially requested that Portuguese citizens urgently leave the country. The formal recommendation of the Portuguese MNE is to avoid any travel to Iran until the situation normalizes. As of June 2025, the embassy and consulate remain closed.
• Authorities advise nationals not to participate in demonstrations, stay away from border regions (Afghanistan, Iraq, Sistan-Baluchestan , Armenia, Azerbaijan, Karabakh ), and avoid unauthorized tourist areas.
• Local communication is limited, with difficulty, but no social media blocks, nor restrictions on external communications despite the press reporting this but without this reality being felt.
• The Portuguese in Tehran must report their presence to the authorities and provide itinerary and emergency contacts for the Consular Section, which is unknown as to why the responses to emails indicate that it is closed, believing that the best way is to send it to the consulate ‘s email but also to the MNE in Portugal.
• They can try humanitarian/charter visas, asylum after arrival via a neighboring country. They can try humanitarian/charter visas, asylum after arrival via a neighboring country.
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Israel — Consulate reinforces support in Tel Aviv
Since the October 2023 attacks, the Portuguese government, unlike Iran, has reinforced consular support in Israel:
• He sent an Air Force plane to Portugal, intended for the voluntary repatriation of citizens, although subject to Israeli overflight authorization.
• The consular support lines remain available and are: +351 217 929 714 and +351 961 706 472 .
• According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is no record of Portuguese people being directly affected , but many have contacted the consulate seeking support.
Consular representation operates at the Portuguese Consulate in Tel Aviv , with direct lines for emergencies.
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🆘 How can Portuguese people ask for help?
1. Always be registered online on the Portuguese Communities Portal .
2. In crisis situations, contact immediately:
o In Iran: email of the Consular Section in Tehran provided on the Portal.
o In Israel: use emergency numbers +351 217 929 714 or +351 961 706 472 portugal.com .
3. Participate in the return flight if necessary, with authorization. Online registration and prior telephone contact increase the chances of boarding.
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🆘 What about non-Portuguese citizens? Applying for a visa or asylum in Portugal
In Iran:
Portugal does not carry out official evacuations for non-Portuguese citizens. Foreigners can:
• Apply for a humanitarian or protection visa (asylum) directly at Portuguese diplomatic missions in neighboring countries, such as Türkiye, Iraq or the Emirates.
• Asylum must be formally requested after entering Portugal. The process is lengthy and requires you to be legally in Portuguese territory when requesting it.
There is a history of visa suspensions for Iranians for security reasons in 2019, but this may be updated.
In Israel:
Portugal has established easy channels for Israeli citizens:
• The so-called “ refugee visa ” allows legal entry and stay for 2 months, with access to the job market, the possibility of financial support and renewal.
• This route requires presentation of a passport and an asylum/crisis application upon arrival. The visa is issued quickly (around 24 hours ).
There have already been specific cases of Israelis who received Portuguese economic support after obtaining this visa.
For other nationals in Israel (such as Palestinians, Jordanians, etc.):
• refugee visa” scheme does not automatically apply .
• They can try to apply for asylum, but they will have to enter through a legal route (short-stay visa, humanitarian visa, etc.) and then formalize the request for protection at the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).
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🗂 ️ Comparative summary
Situation Portuguese Non-Portuguese
Iran ↩️ Evacuation suggested, mandatory registration at the Embassy 🎯 You can try humanitarian/charter visas, asylum after arrival via neighboring country
Israel ✈️ Telephone support, possibility of FAP flight ✅ Israelis with fast-track refugee visas and support; others have to apply for visas and formal asylum via SEF
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🔑 Essential recommendations
• Register on diplomatic platforms (Community Portal; consular email).
• the Embassy (Tehran) or Consulate/emergency lines (Tel Aviv) immediately .
• Do not be in altered areas : demonstrations, borders and airports at risk.
• Non-Portuguese citizens should seek out EU embassies or representation in neighboring countries , start applications for a possible visa and then join the legal routes to Portugal.