About 10 percent of Portugal’s resident population has some form of disability, making everyday life more challenging. Disability is defined through a medical model in Portugal, requiring an incapacity equal to or greater than 60 percent to qualify for certain benefits like the social inclusion benefit.
The medical assessment uses a contentious table of physical disabilities, which critics argue discriminates against individuals with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities.
In this article, we’ll look at what qualifies as a disability in Portugal, the support available, and housing and mobility benefits for citizens.
You’ll also find out more about:
Understanding Disability in Portugal
The Portuguese government classifies a disability as the loss or anomaly, whether congenital or acquired, of bodily functions or structures, including psychological functions, that lead to specific difficulties.
A disability is determined through a medical assessment, and the person is issued a Medical Certificate of Multipurpose Disability (AMIM).
At the same time, Portugal has adopted the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework, which provides a standardized language and conceptual basis for defining and measuring disability. The framework focuses on the interaction between an individual’s health condition and contextual factors.
According to the National Institute of Rehabilitation, there is no set definition of a disability, as it includes a broad range of conditions that may impair an individual’s physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory functions. These include, but are not limited to:
Physical disabilities: Conditions affecting mobility or dexterity, such as paralysis, amputations, or muscular dystrophy.
Sensory disabilities: Impairments related to senses, including visual impairments and hearing impairments. Portuguese Sign Language (Língua Gestual Portuguesa) is officially recognized, and there are approximately 60,000 deaf sign language users in Portugal.
Intellectual disabilities: Conditions characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, such as Down syndrome.
Psychosocial disabilities: Mental health conditions that can impact a person’s ability to interact socially and perform daily activities, including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Rights of Disabled People in Portugal
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic explicitly recognizes the rights of disabled individuals, guaranteeing equality before the law and prohibiting discrimination based on disability. Essentially, this ensures that all national and foreign citizens, no matter their mental or physical ability, enjoy the same freedoms.
Additionally, several laws aim to prevent and prohibit direct or indirect discrimination based on disability or aggravated health risks. These laws criminalize actions violating fundamental rights or conditioning economic, social, cultural, or other rights on the basis of disability.
Support for People with Disabilities
Several systems are in place to support people with various disabilities in Portugal. From housing to pensions, the government makes a concerted effort to provide all its citizens equal rights and opportunities.
Housing
HousingCertain municipalities provide support through social housing and subsidies for rentals, which are granted based on specific criteria established by each municipality’s regulations.
Additionally, the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation offers various rental support programs, including opportunities to apply for social housing through IHRU.
People with disabilities can also apply for subsidized housing credit if they want to buy their own homes. Subsidized credit is approved based on an assessment conducted by the banking institution, which considers general conditions, including the applicant’s income, which must be sufficient to cover the loan payments.
The subsidized housing credit can also be used to improve the accessibility of a property or to rehabilitate a structure to be more disability-friendly.
Financial support
Financial supportThe government provides several financial support programs for individuals with disabilities. The flagship benefit is the Social Inclusion Benefit (PSI), a nationwide cash benefit introduced to reduce poverty among people with disabilities.
Three years ago, this social security benefit had over 133,000 beneficiaries, and by late 2023, this had grown to about 146,000 nationwide.
The PSI is divided into three components: a basic component, a supplementary component, both of which are dependent on the person’s income, and a surcharge. The basic component is set at approximately €300 per month, and an additional supplement can provide up to €488 of monthly income.
Families with children and youths with disabilities can receive a monthly income (disability allowance) as part of family benefits. The amount ranges from about €67 to €132 per month, increasing with the child’s age.
For senior citizens, Portugal categorizes disability pensions into two types:
Relative disability: Applicable to individuals under retirement age who are permanently unable to earn more than one-third of their previous total income due to a non-work-related illness or injury. Eligibility requires at least five years of Portuguese Social Security system contributions.
Absolute disability: Pertains to individuals under retirement age who have suffered a permanent, total loss of work capacity. Three years of contributions are necessary to qualify for this benefit.
Education
EducationThe Portugal education system promotes equity and non-discrimination. It is based on teaching methods that respond to all students’ needs and learning styles, including those with disabilities.
There is also a Special Education Allowance to help cover the costs of specialized support, and in 2022 approximately 23,186 children received this benefit.
In addition to the education allowance, several schools specialize in disability education. For example, a vision-impaired school focuses on braille literacy, guidance, and mobility and provides support for access to the curriculum, activities of daily living, and social skills.
A specialized school with bilingual education guarantees deaf students linguistic growth, access to the common curriculum, and participation in all school activities.
To strengthen social integration, they also develop Portuguese sign language as a first language and Portuguese as a second language.
Read the Global Intelligence Unit's full Global Education Report
Medical Care and Rehabilitation Services
Medical care and rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities are organized through Portugal’s healthcare system, the National Health Service (SNS), which ensures specialized and multidisciplinary care through specialized hospital units and primary healthcare centers.
These services aim to maximize personal autonomy, minimize limitations caused by disabilities, and support individuals and their families throughout the rehabilitation process. In exceptional cases, individuals with severe mobility issues may receive medical assessments in their homes.
People with disabilities with a valid Disability Medical Certificate are also entitled to exemptions from healthcare co-payment fees and discounts on medication.
Accessibility and Inclusion in Portugal
Public transport
Public transportIn Portugal, clear regulations govern the accessibility of public transport. These provisions apply to various modes of transportation—including road, rail, maritime, and air travel—ensuring the rights of disabled passengers are upheld. This includes non-discrimination, accessibility, and assistance during travel.
Passengers with disabilities can receive assistance services at terminals and on public transportation without incurring any additional charges. In road transport, operators are required to adapt vehicles and infrastructure to meet the needs of disabled passengers.
Air travel regulations also safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities. Airports and airlines must offer appropriate assistance from the point of departure to the destination, ensuring safe and dignified travel experiences.
Workplace inclusion
Workplace inclusionPortugal actively promotes workplace inclusion through comprehensive policies designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to employment opportunities and career advancement.
Central to this initiative is the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), which facilitates the registration process, matches jobs, and provides specialized support tailored to the needs of disabled individuals.
Employers receive assistance to adapt workplaces and job roles, making them accessible and comfortable for employees with disabilities. Specific programs, such as Supported Employment, offer adjusted working conditions for those facing significant barriers.
Additionally, Protected Employment is designed to create specialized environments that help individuals develop professional skills and transition into regular employment.
Portugal also implements a quota system that requires public-sector organizations to employ individuals with a disability.
Tax Benefits for People with Disabilities
Several tax benefits exist for people with disabilities, including a reduction in Personal Income Tax, and Single Circulation Tax (IUC). For example, dependent workers, business people, and professionals are taxable on only 85 percent of their income, up to a maximum of €2,500.
People with disabilities are also exempt from paying the associated tax when buying a vehicle as long as it is used for their purposes. The Value-Added Tax (VAT) is also waived when buying tricycles or wheelchairs (with or without a motor).
Additionally, individuals with tax-recognized incapacity can take advantage of specific tax deductions outlined in Article 87 of the IRS Code, which include personal deductions and expenses related to education, rehabilitation, and life insurance.
Read our Complete Guide on Taxes in Portugal
How to Apply for Portugal Disability Benefits
According to the Ministry of Work, Solidarity, and Social Security, national and foreign citizens, refugees, and stateless persons with disabilities or incapacity equal to or greater than 60 percent can apply for the Social Inclusion Benefit.
Applicants must be legal residents of Portugal and meet the incapacity threshold to be entitled to the basic component. The supplementary component is meant for people who qualify for the basic component but are in economic need or hardship.
People institutionalized in a social facility funded by the State, in a foster family, in pre-trial detention, or serving a prison sentence are not eligible.
At its base, the Social Inclusion Benefit provides €158 for people under 18 (increased by 35% in the case of single-parent families) and €316 if the applicant has no income.
Here’s how to apply:
- Register online at the Social Security Direct portal.
- Once registered, in the top menu, click on Family, and then on Social Benefit for Inclusion.
- Select Register application
- Complete the form with all your details and submit it.
You can log in to your profile to see any updates on your application, and you can also change or cancel your application while it is still in the “under analysis” stage.
Alternatively, you can apply for the social security benefit by downloading and filling out the Mod.PSI1-DGSS form and handing it in at a Social Security office inside a Citizen’s Shop.
Organizations that Provide Support for Disabled People
Several prominent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) actively advocate for disability rights in Portugal. These NGOs represent the rights and interests of disabled individuals, contributing significantly to policy advocacy, social awareness, and support services.
- APD (Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes) – Portuguese Disabled People’s Association
- ACAPO – Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Portugal
- Associação Salvador – Promotes integration and rights for individuals with motor disabilities
- CNOD (Confederação Nacional dos Organismos de Deficientes) – National Confederation of Disability Organizations
- FPDD (Federação Portuguesa de Desporto para Pessoas com Deficiência) – Portuguese Federation for Disability Sport
- FPDA (Federação Portuguesa de Autismo) – Portuguese Autism Federation
- FENACERCI – National Federation of Cooperatives for Social Solidarity
- SPEM (Sociedade Portuguesa de Esclerose Múltipla) – Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society
[sc name=”portugal–gcs–usps-legal“][/sc]
Frequently Asked Questions About Disability in Portugal
How is disability defined in Portugal?
National and foreign citizens are classified as having a disability through a medical assessment, requiring an incapacity equal to or greater than 60 percent to qualify for certain benefits like the social inclusion benefit.
What rights do persons with disabilities have in Portugal?
Public services in Portugal provide various support mechanisms dedicated to people with disabilities. These services aim to promote autonomy and active citizenship, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in society.
Are non-residents or refugees with disabilities entitled to support in Portugal?
Refugees and foreign citizens in Portugal enjoy a set of legal rights on an equal footing with other citizens. There is no distinction between refugees with and without disabilities, and their children have access to the same educational opportunities as Portuguese citizens.
What support services are available for people with disabilities in Portugal?
Portugal provides various social assistance and institutions for people with disabilities. These services focus on promoting personal development and enhancing self-esteem, thereby supporting autonomy and active citizenship.
Is there a family allowance for people with disabilities?
Yes, Portugal provides a Family Allowance for Children and Young People, a monthly financial benefit aimed at assisting families in the same household with the costs associated with raising and educating their children.
