Portuguese people who wish to apply for the Social Mobility Subsidy may encounter limitations in the online process, being forced to use CTT branches in certain situations related to purchase dates and travel dates. According to the portal, not all orders can be made via the digital platform, with specific cases in which the refund can only be handled in person after the trip.
Using the CTT counter remains mandatory for trips purchased until January 14, 2026, as well as for round trips made until January 30 of this year, regardless of the date of purchase. According to the same source, trips associated with tickets purchased up to that date are also excluded from the online regime, requiring the request to be processed in person.
Other situations that require the counter
There are also exceptions related to specific programs and collective entities that prevent access to the digital order. The same source states that trips made within the scope of the Madeira Insular Student Program, as well as those purchased by companies, must be handled directly at CTT.
The support is aimed at residents in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, including their respective households, as long as they complete a minimum period of residence. So-called equivalent residents are also eligible, that is, people who live outside the autonomous regions, but who carry out professional activities there on a regular basis.
Students and minors also covered
The subsidy also covers displaced students, regardless of age, who move between the continent, autonomous regions or other countries. The Government portal adds that minors under 18 can benefit from support even if they do not reside in the destination region, as long as one of the parents is a resident.
The possibility of sending the request through the digital platform depends on the date of purchase of the trips and the type of beneficiary. The website explains that online ordering is available for trips purchased on or after January 15, 2026, as long as they are booked by eligible individuals.
Different rules depending on the airline
The time at which the request can be made also varies depending on the airline used for the trip. On EasyJet, SATA or TAP flights, the request can be submitted immediately after purchase, while on Ryanair flights it can only be made after the trip has completed.
The subsidy only applies to air travel between the Autonomous Regions or between them and the continent, and may include additional connections. According to the gov.pt portal, these trips may involve stopovers or inter-island connections, as long as they are associated with eligible air travel.
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