Background information

The Portuguese Government has approved a special measures package to host, protect and integrate people who fled Ukraine to Portugal, who have been granted temporary protection under the Resolution of the Council of Ministers 29-A/2022, of 1 March, amended by Resolution of the Council of Ministers 29-D/2022, of 11 March.

Temporary protection established that citizens may access social benefits from the non-contributory regime, notably family allowance.

Decree Law 56/2022 of 19 August extends the provision of family allowance to foreign minors not born in the Portuguese territory, but who are in Portugal. It amends the articles 7th and 14th of the Decree-Law 178/2003 of 2 August in its current wording (establishes family allowance for children and young people).

Content of measure

Foreign minors who are not born in Portuguese territory, but who are in Portugal, benefit from the same statute as that granted to those persons who exercise parental responsibilities over them or whose custody is under a measure of promotion and protection or guardianship measure, for the purpose of awarding the benefit of family allowance and social security identification number. Family allowance is paid up until the age of 16.

If the child continues their studies or engages in vocational training, the age limits are extended to 18, 21 or 24 years, according to the level of their studies or training. It may be extended, in three years, in case of sickness or accident, certified by a health professional.

For children with disabilities, the limit is 24 years, with an extension of three years for those in higher education.

Use of measure

This measure is expected to cover 400,000 children, in total (nationals and non-nationals). It is a measure that will be implemented in phases, in the last quarter of 2022. Retroactive payments will be paid from 1 July 2022 and then the measure will be completed in 2023, in which all children will have a minimum of €50 per month, regardless of age (Jornal de Negócios, 11 August 2022).

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors) Parents Students

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement of any social partner organisation in the design, implementation and monitoring of the measure.

Views and reactions

Unknown

Sources

• 19 August 2013: Decree-Law 176/2003 of 2 August (dre.pt)
• 11 August 2022: Press Release from Council of Ministers, 11 August 2022 (www.portugal.gov.pt)
• 19 August 2022: Decree Law 56/2022 of 19 August (dre.pt)