The Government granted a housing allowance to the Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency and Immigration, Rui Armindo Freitas, despite the fact that he declared assets of 8.1 million euros when he joined the Executive.
According to Correio da Manhã, the order signed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro grants Rui Freitas a monthly supplement of around 750 euros to support the lease.
The decision was published this Monday in Diário da República, confirming that the government official is on the list of members of the Executive entitled to support for living expenses in Lisbon.
A millionaire ruler with public assistance
Born in Guimarães and linked to the textile industry, Rui Freitas is currently 42 years old and earns a monthly salary of around 6,780 euros, according to the same source. Despite this, it benefits from the same compensation scheme provided for government officials displaced from their area of residence, which aims to support the increased cost of staying in Lisbon.
The case generated controversy, as the Secretary of State is one of the 13 members of the Government who receive the accommodation allowance, even though he declared assets in excess of eight million euros, including real estate, financial investments and business holdings.
According to Correio da Manhã, this support is granted based on legal criteria that do not assess the beneficiary’s level of wealth, only the need to travel to perform duties in Lisbon.
The controversy surrounding the subsidy
The publication explains that the accommodation supplement was created to compensate government officials who reside outside the capital and who need to maintain two homes: one in their place of origin and one in Lisbon. However, there is no income or asset limit that prevents access to this benefit.
Still according to the same source, Rui Freitas is a businessman in the textile sector and was appointed Secretary of State in 2024, in the first Government of Luís Montenegro. Since then, it has accumulated government functions with the support of leasing provided by law.
The controversy arises at a time of political tension over public support and the cost of housing, raising questions about the suitability of these benefits for members of the Government with high personal wealth.
The law and the attribution criteria
Decree-Law No. 2/95, which regulates the rights and duties of members of the Government, provides for the granting of a housing allowance to those who reside outside of Lisbon and do not have their own home in the capital.
However, the diploma does not define asset limits or income criteria, allowing government officials with high financial capacity to receive support.
According to Correio da Manhã, Rui Freitas is the only Secretary of State with declared assets exceeding 8 million euros and still included in the list of beneficiaries. The list also includes the Minister of Education, Fernando Alexandre, among other members of the Executive.
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