Latest news and stories about social services in Portugal for expats and residents.
APRe! urges the Government and Parliament to prioritize and implement effective solutions to address the critical issue of social hospitalisations.
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.
Lisbon Metro has opened three central stations overnight to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness amid cold weather. Oriente (Red Line), Rossio (Green Line) and Santa Apolónia (Blue Line) will be accessible from Friday through the early hours of Tuesday at least, a period that the city warns may be extended or shortened depending on ongoing weather assessments. The move — driven by concern from Lisbon City Council — uses transport infrastructure as temporary refuge and highlights the need for coordinated short-term protection and wider services for people sleeping rough during extreme conditions.
Discussion on the responsibility of the Portuguese State to protect children in vulnerable situations.
The head of the Union of Misericórdias has issued a warning regarding the critical state and potential collapse of the country's network of care homes.
The Union of Portuguese Misericórdias (UMP) celebrates its 50th anniversary.
President Seguro has called out the spiralling costs of old people’s homes in a country where old people already vastly outnumber the young. Just in the last 12 months, monthly The post President calls out spiralling costs of old people’s homes appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The association emphasises the urgent requirement for more residential care facilities for senior citizens.
Teachers' unions have been holding a national strike for days, which is threatening to disrupt the matches that Mexico City is set to host during the World Cup. Additionally, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote a letter to Putin.
The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, highlighted today the contribution of immigrants in addressing the labour shortages faced by the Portuguese misericórdias, thereby ensuring the operation of these institutions.
For Manuel Lemos, president of the Union of Portuguese Misericórdias, the measure fits into a logic of balance between rights and duties in a society that funds a vast set of public benefits and services.
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.
A programme dedicated to young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder already has more than 30 on its attendance list. It is run by psychologists and therapists to provide socialisation skills to the young people.
Margarida Abreu, a prominent figure in the development of social work in Portugal, has died.
The Ágape Baptist Association in Matosinhos may close its doors at the end of this month due to a seizure by Social Security.
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.
Menezes' municipality votes on Tuesday to end protocols with SAAS and the FLUP Social Observatory. A new tender open to all IPSS in the municipality aims for greater proximity and monitoring.
There are institutions, particularly in low-density territories, that travel hundreds of kilometres a day to provide home support to users.
According to Francisco César, these warnings “demonstrate that the Regional Government has not done its homework and continues to leave social institutions in a situation of uncertainty”.
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.
