Portugal social welfare study identifies efficiency opportunities

A study titled ‘Welfare Sector Payments – Portugal’, developed by Nova SBE in collaboration with the Fast Forward Foundation, has analyzed the flow of social welfare payments in Portugal. The research tracks the process from the recognition of a right to the actual receipt of funds, aiming to improve coordination between institutions and increase system efficiency.

In Portugal, pensions, social support, and healthcare involve more than 86 billion euros in annual direct public transfers to citizens and healthcare providers. The study utilized the Welfare Sector Payments (WSP) Assessment methodology, with Portugal serving as the first pilot country to test and refine this approach. Findings suggest that Portugal possesses a solid financial infrastructure and developed digital public services, providing favorable conditions for modernizing social welfare payment systems.