4.3 out of 10
Legal capacity can be partially removed, this can restrict the right to vote and the right to stand for elections.
Some adults with intellectual disabilities live in smaller institutions, few live in larger institutions or psychiatric hospitals.
Most adults with intellectual disabilities live with their family and they receive little support. Few live in their own place.
Most children with intellectual disabilities go to mainstream schools, few go to special schools.
Very few people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market. They do not risk losing their disability benefits when they earn their own salary.
Most people with intellectual disabilities have access to general healthcare, there is no easy-to-read information on healthcare available.
People with intellectual disabilities are not represented in the national cross-disability organisation. Fenacerci does not receive government funding for their advocacy work.
Portugal European average
People with intellectual disabilities have access to healthcare, but it does not mean that they actually get it.
| Mainstream education | 78,000 |
|---|---|
| Special education | 2,800 |
| No education | 0 |
* Education figures: These numbers reflect all disabilities. Institution figures: No data available.
Latest data available (2021) states that 7,025 people with disabilities were living in institutions, but it is unclear what the divide is between the different options.
These are the reported or estimated numbers of the country. In most cases, in reality, the numbers will be higher as the data is underreported or missing entirely.
4.6 out of 10
Legal capacity can be partially removed, this can restrict the right to vote and the right to stand for elections. Easy-to-read information on voting is provided.
Some adults with intellectual disabilities live in smaller institutions, some live in larger institutions or psychiatric hospitals. There is no specific plan to close institutions.
Most adults with intellectual disabilities live with their family, a small number of people live in their own place. Some support available for families. Disability benefits go to family or the person with disability. Lack of adequate housing or disability support.
Most children with intellectual disabilities go to mainstream schools, few to special schools. Not enough support available.
A small number of people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market, working in ‘protect employment’, some attend daycare. ‘Protected employment’ pays no less than 90% of minimum wage.
Most people with intellectual disabilities have access to general healthcare. Only some have access to the dentist and women's health. Little freedom of choice in reproductive health, poor access to sex education. Forced sterilisation is still possible under certain conditions.
People with intellectual disabilities are not represented in the national cross-disability organisation, there is no person with an intellectual disability on the board/council. Fenacerci does not receive government funding for advocacy work.
Portugal European average
The Development Plan for the Social Services and Equipment Network aims at the expansion and improvement of social services and facilities in the community.
There are mechanisms in place to assess the quality of services provided to people with disabilities. These mechanisms are implemented through governmental and non-governmental organisations to ensure that services are delivered effectively and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
| Mainstream education | 78,268 |
|---|---|
| Special education | 0 |
| No education | 0 |
* Institution figures: No data available.
These are the reported or estimated numbers of the country. In most cases, in reality, the numbers will be higher as the data is underreported or missing entirely.
4.2 out of 10
Legal capacity can be partially removed, this can restrict the right to vote and the right to stand for elections. Easy-to-read information on voting is provided, but only some parties provide easy-to-read information.
Many adults with intellectual disabilities live in large institutions and in smaller institutions. Some live in small care homes or psychiatric hospitals.
Most adults with intellectual disabilities live with their family. Some live in their own place. Some support available for families. Disability benefits go to the person with an intellectual disability. Lack of adequate housing and disability support.
Most children with intellectual disabilities go to mainstream schools. Very few go to special schools. There is a national strategy towards inclusive education. Not enough support is available.
Very few people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market. Most attend daycare. Some are working in ‘protect employment’ and some stay at home. People do not risk losing their disability benefits when they have a paid job. ‘Protected employment’ does not pay minimum wage.
All people with intellectual disabilities have access to general healthcare. Only some have access to the dentist and women's health. Little freedom of choice in reproductive health. Forced sterilisation is possible under certain conditions.
People with intellectual disabilities are not represented in the national cross-disability organisation, and there is no person with an intellectual disability on the board/council. Fenacerci does not receive government funding for advocacy work.
Portugal European average
People with intellectual disabilities often do not get to choose their living arrangements. Many are placed in residential homes or remain with their families, not because that is their preference, but because other options do not exist. The lack of accessible, supported housing makes it difficult for them to make meaningful choices about their lives.
One of the most significant difficulties arises after their child leaves the education system. There is often a gap in services for adults, leaving families without structured day activities, employment support, or meaningful inclusion opportunities. Many parents express that their child ‘disappears from the system’ once formal schooling ends.
People with disabilities and their families should help design services and housing. Their voices must be heard.
| Mainstream education | 9,000 |
|---|---|
| Special education | 1,000 |
| No education | * |
| Larger institutions | 2,300 |
| Smaller institutions | 2,000 |
| Small care homes | 1,000 |
| Psychiatric hospitals | 400 |
These are the reported or estimated numbers of the country. In most cases, in reality, the numbers will be higher as the data is underreported or missing entirely.