A parliamentary committee has approved expanding the right to be forgotten (direito ao esquecimento) to include patients with diabetes, HIV, cancer, and hepatitis C. The law ensures that individuals who have recovered or are managing these conditions face the same conditions as others when applying for bank credit or insurance. The proposal, originally from the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista), aims to end discrimination in financial services based on medical history. Those with chronic conditions should note that these changes will take effect once the final law is published.
Chronic illness patients gain 'right to be forgotten' for credit
Thursday, 12 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Socialist Party (PS)
- Leader: José Luís Carneiro (since June 2025)
- Ideology: Center-left, Social democracy, pro-Europeanism
Portugal's other traditional major party suffered a historic collapse in the 2025 election, dropping from 78 to 58 seats and falling to third place for the first time in democratic history. The party was led by Pedro Nuno Santos from January 2024 until his resignation following the May 2025 defeat. José Luís Carneiro, a 53-year-old former Minister of Internal Administration known for his moderate positioning within the party, was elected unopposed as the new Secretary-General with 95% of votes in June 2025. The Socialist Party governed Portugal from 2015 to 2024, including an absolute majority from 2022 to 2024 under António Costa, who resigned in November 2023 amid a corruption investigation. The PS previously led the innovative "Geringonça" (contraption) coalition government from 2015-2019, a minority government supported by the Left Bloc and Portuguese Communist Party that reversed austerity measures and presided over economic recovery.
The right to be forgotten (direito ao esquecimento) is a legal protection that prevents banks and insurance companies from using a person's past medical history, such as cancer or HIV, to deny credit or insurance. In Portugal, this right typically applies ten years after the end of treatment for adults, or five years if the illness occurred before age 21. Residents seeking life insurance or mortgages after recovering from serious illness should be aware of these protections.
