A joint statement from the IOM and the British Embassy in Lisbon highlights that the project will be implemented until 31 March, 2021 and the official launch will take place on 7 July, at 5pm, on the Webex platform.


According to the statement, the information will be provided ‘online’ and through other means of communication and will be available to all.
“IOM will provide specific support to individuals who face certain challenges, namely people with disabilities or chronic illness, people who face language and literacy barriers or barriers in accessing relevant technology,” reads the document.


Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union, was formalised last 31 January and has a transition period in effect until 31 December.
The IOM project is funded by the UK Government under the UK Nationals Support Fund (UKNSF).


This fund has made available around £3m (€ 3.3m) for charities and other organisations to support UK nationals living in the European Union.


The project, which is coordinated by IOM United Kingdom, is being implemented in Portugal, France, Spain, Slovakia, Poland, Italy and Germany.


Cited in the statement, the head of the IOM Portugal office, Marta Bronzin, expressed satisfaction at “being able to support UK nationals to ensure their rights and to safely continue their life projects in the country, reaching those who need it most”.


The British ambassador, Chris Sainty, highlights that “supporting UK nationals is one of the priorities of the British Embassy”.


“We are very pleased to support IOM in this project to help vulnerable UK nationals in guaranteeing their rights so that they can continue to live safely here in Portugal”, he stressed.

IOM is working closely with the British Embassy and in partnership with the High Commissioner for Migration and will promote awareness campaigns aimed at UK citizens living in Portugal, share accessible information on residency procedures and provide direct support to people who have greater difficulties in accessing information and residency processes, the note adds.