Families with children and young people who need specific educational support can find several answers in Portugal, although there is no single scholarship like the Spanish one. The Portuguese system is divided between Social Security support, measures applied in schools, school social action and specialized responses for students with disabilities or specific educational needs.
The issue became topical again after Spain published in the BOE a call for aid for students in specific need for educational support in the 2026-2027 academic year. The Spanish regime covers cases of disability, severe conduct disorders, severe communication and language disorders associated with special educational needs, autism spectrum disorder and high intellectual abilities. The highest component can reach 1,795 euros in the case of school housing assistance. Registration, however, only officially opens on May 19th and runs until September 10th, 2026.
The closest Portuguese support
The closest financial support, in the Portuguese general regime, is . According to gov.pt, this is a monthly cash payment intended to offset costs resulting from the application of specific forms of support for children and young people with disabilities. The support covers beneficiaries under the age of 24 who have proven permanent reduction in physical, motor, organic, sensory or intellectual capacity.
This subsidy can be applied when the child or young person attends a special education establishment that involves paying a monthly fee, when they require individual support from a specialized technician or when, under certain conditions, they attend a private or cooperative regular education establishment. Social Security describes it as monthly support for expenses spent attending establishments for people with disabilities or specialized individual support.
Who can apply for the Special Education Subsidy
The request can be made by the young person, by the person exercising parental responsibilities or by anyone who is responsible for the child or young person and is responsible for their education. The support is aimed at children and young people with disabilities, up to the age of 24, as long as there is a proven need for specific educational support. The value is not the same for everyone, since, according to the Social Security practical guide, it corresponds to the difference between the cost of specialized care and the family contribution.
In other words, unlike the Spanish model, there is no simple table with a single maximum value for all students. The value depends on the type of support, the situation of the child or young person and the expense recognized.
There is also a family benefit bonus
In addition to Special Education Aid, there is a family grant for children and young people with disabilities. gov.br presents this bonus as an addition to the family benefit, granted when, due to disability, the child or young person needs pedagogical or therapeutic support. Under the current regime, it can be requested up to 10 years of age, although beneficiaries of the previous regime maintain the right until the age of 24 if they continue to meet the conditions.
This support does not replace Special Education Assistance. It can function as a complement in some situations, as long as the access conditions are met and there is recognition of the need for support.
Inclusive education is the legal basis in schools
At the school level, the central landmark is Decree-Law nº 54/2018, which establishes the principles and standards of inclusive education in Portugal. The diploma defines inclusion as a process that aims to respond to the diversity of needs and potential of all students, increasing participation in learning processes and in the life of the educational community.
In practice, this means that schools must mobilize measures to support learning and inclusion, which can be universal, selective or additional, depending on the student’s needs. The objective is to adapt pedagogical responses, resources and strategies to ensure that the child or young person participates in the educational journey.
Support may not be paid directly to the family
This is an important difference in relation to the Spanish model. In Portugal, many responses do not appear as direct transfers to the family. They can take the form of support at school, curricular adaptations, specialized resources, psycho-pedagogical support, technical support or other measures to support learning and inclusion.
gov.pt itself reminds that, to benefit from this support, those responsible must ask the school to evaluate the child and prepare the respective educational plan.
Transport and school social action also count
Another relevant point is transport. In several cases, municipalities have powers linked to school social action and school transport. Decree-Law No. 21/2019 provides for municipalities to develop school social action and organize school transport, and determines free tuition for students with mobility difficulties who benefit from measures within the scope of inclusive education, whenever their condition requires it.
Furthermore, Ordinance No. 9/2023 regulates the financing of transport for students with specific individual educational needs who cannot, demonstrably, use regular transport or school transport.
School social action can also support expenses with meals, transport, books and school supplies, according to the household’s income and the rules applicable in each academic year. Decree-Law No. 55/2009 precisely includes food support, school transport, accommodation, economic aid and school insurance within the scope of school social action.
What about special education schools?
The State also finances specialized educational responses. In January 2026, the Government announced a 10% increase in funding per student for special education schools with a cooperation contract, increasing the monthly amount per student from 651.26 euros to 716.39 euros, with effect from January 1, 2026. According to the Executive, the measure aims to reflect the increase in operational costs and recognize the importance of these educational responses.
This funding is not the same as a scholarship paid directly to the family, but is part of the public effort to support students who need specific answers.
Social Benefit for Inclusion may be relevant
In some cases, the Social Benefit for Inclusion may still be at stake. gov.br describes this benefit as monthly cash support intended for people with disabilities with a degree of incapacity equal to or greater than 60%, with the aim of promoting autonomy and social inclusion.
It is not school support in the strictest sense, but it may be relevant for young people with disabilities, depending on their age, degree of disability and other legal conditions.
What families should do
For a Brazilian family, the first step is to understand whether the child or young person needs pedagogical, therapeutic support, specific transport, attendance at a specialized establishment or other support. Then you should contact the school and, when it comes to cash benefits, Social Security. In parallel, you must confirm with the municipality the deadlines and conditions of school social action, especially when it comes to meals, transport or materials.
In the end, Portugal has support for students with specific educational needs, but not concentrated in a single scholarship like the Spanish one. The Portuguese system combines financial benefits, school measures and specialized responses, which makes it essential to understand, case by case, where to ask for each support.
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