Latest news and stories about social services in legal in Portugal for expats and residents.
The government has committed to funding victim support services previously reliant on EU aid, following criticism from the Livre party regarding the Prosecutor General's controversial remarks on domestic violence.
A Chega activist has been dismissed from her position at Lisbon City Hall's Social Services following investigations into her clandestine rental properties and allegations of unauthorized legal practice. The dismissal comes amid a controversy involving the activist's connections to the Chega party and her role in a split between party councillors. The Public Prosecutor's Office is looking into her activities, which include renting out substandard housing to illegal immigrants.
The family lives without running water and produces their own electricity and food. Authorities state that the three children lack proper living conditions, but are allowing a 'gradual reunification'.
Cases involving homelessness, lack of financial autonomy, domestic violence, or displacement and eviction are among the main reasons for calling 144.
Two children were taken to Braga Hospital as a precaution and both are doing well
It was 4:30 am in Braga when a 3-year-old boy was found crying in the street, under the care of his 15-year-old sister. With the mother absent and the family already flagged by social services, where did the State fail?
Carlos Duarte has been named the new social advisor for the Embassy of Portugal in Paris.
In an audio message from August 5th, one week before murdering his mother, the 15-year-old minor told his family he was going to be institutionalised.
The child reported that the mother assaulted and threatened to kill his four-year-old sister. Dismissing the evidence and considering the youth manipulative, the court refused institutionalisation and the return of the children to Brazil under the guardianship of the paternal family, as reported by CM.
The local authority provided temporary accommodation for the elderly woman during the intervention period.
Future residents will be selected from a pool of 30 candidates.
There are 5,987 children living in institutions, but not all meet the legal requirements to have a new family. Social Security received 800 applications from prospective parents last year.
Between 2019 and 2024, 1,078 Portuguese children were adopted, of which at least 35 were integrated into families living abroad in countries such as Malta, Belgium, France, Brazil, and Italy.
The recent tragic deaths of two children, allegedly at the hands of parents or guardians, highlight a brutal reality: children are still being used as pawns in adult conflicts. This article argues that the current child protection system is overwhelmed and under-resourced, failing to provide adequate safety. It calls for urgent structural reforms, including specialized protocols for different types of violence, a national network of qualified support services, and better training and stability for professionals, insisting that the country must change to ensure children are truly protected.
For 40 years, a man dedicated his life to caring for his brother. When he died, he left a request to the family: that they never abandon Rui.
Fourth part of 'Doa a Quem Doer', from June 20, 2026.
Discussion on the responsibility of the Portuguese State to protect children in vulnerable situations.
In a statement, the institution explains that there are currently more than a thousand children in the Lisbon district looking for a foster family.
The Communists believe that Portugal 'has good legislation for the protection of children's rights', but lacks the 'resources for its proper implementation'. The solution involves improving the 'functioning of the CPCJ'.
In the first three months of the year, 1,383 people were sheltered, 684 of whom were children. This is the first time the number has surpassed that of women. Arrests for domestic violence have also increased.
Psychologist Melanie Tavares, from the Institute for Child Support, examines the case of the French children who were abandoned by their mother in Portugal.
Child psychiatrist Ana Vasconcelos says it is essential that, at this moment, 'caregiving adults' support the two children who were abandoned. The expert admitted on the Telejornal news programme that this case of abandonment by the mother is rare.
The National Commission for the Rights of Children and Youth (CNDCJ) recorded 54 cases of forced marriage last year, marking the first time this category has appeared in the statistics, while domestic violence remains the primary reason for protective measures. The 2025 Activity Report from the Commissions for the Protection of Children and Youth (CPCJ) highlights a 29% structural growth in cases over the last four years, with 94,743 total processes recorded in 2025. Neglect and domestic violence remain the most frequent dangers, with the latter accounting for 6,420 protective measures. The report also notes structural challenges, including staff shortages, with only 27% of commissions having a full complement of members.
The CPCJ received 62,204 reports of dangerous situations, with security forces and the education sector being the primary reporting entities.
Report on the number of legal or social services cases involving minors recorded during the previous year.
People aged between 56 and 85 were living in housing without hygienic conditions.
The party has submitted a request to the Regional Assembly asking for details regarding the costs, capacity, security, and admission criteria for the eight units planned in Ponta Delgada.
The professionals had been tried and acquitted for allegedly lying in 2015.
