Informal caregiver support in Portugal

In late October 2026, various Portuguese municipalities organized events to recognize National Informal Caregiver Day. In Viana do Castelo, initiatives focused on community dialogue and the “Bolsa de Horas” program, which has supported 149 caregivers. In Barcelos, the “Procuidador 2.0” program was highlighted as a community intervention supported by European Union funds.

By early November 2026, the Portuguese government expanded support through the Bolsa de Cuidadores pilot project. Minister of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, announced the opening of 117 respite slots. This initiative allows caregivers to utilize social sector centers, such as day centers, inclusion and training centers (CACI), or home support services, for up to 56 hours per month to attend to personal, professional, or health needs. The program permits absences of up to seven consecutive hours.

Local support measures continue to evolve. The municipality of Seia has signed a protocol with the Social Security Institute to implement a volunteer pool intended to support this respite care. In Sines, the municipality provides information and training sessions covering hygiene, fall prevention, and mental health. Additionally, the CaregIVR European project, coordinated by ESSATLA, has utilized virtual reality to train 791 caregivers across Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Poland, noting that women represent 76% of the participants. In Serpa, local authorities have also organized information sessions to educate the community on the rights and resources available under the Informal Caregiver Statute.