"We Portuguese, we the Government, we the community need young Portuguese people in Portugal so that we all have a better future," Luís Montenegro emphasized on the day he announced a package of measures aimed at young people. There are 14 measures for young people in the areas of student housing, worker-student scholarships, health, housing, and taxes. Here they are:

Student Housing

The Government has launched an emergency plan for student housing, of which it highlights 3 major action areas:

• Reinforcement of the supply of beds using the installed capacity of Youth Hostels and INATEL – 709 beds distributed among the municipalities of the Mainland with Higher Education Institutions.

Through protocols with Movijovem and INATEL, the Executive states that "it is possible to mobilize a response of several beds in Youth Hostels and INATEL units", which are located in municipalities where there are Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to be available for the next school year.

These beds will be part of the offer that the Social Action Services (SAS) of each HEI have, and their allocation should be managed by the SAS.

The financial impact in 2024 is 900 thousand euros and in 2025 it is 2.6 million euros. It comes into effect in the 2024/25 school year, in September.

• Financing line for Higher Education Institutions to sign protocols to reinforce beds with public, private, and social sector entities in student residences.

These beds should be part of the offer that the Social Support Services that each Higher Education Institution has at its disposal, and their allocation will be managed by the SAS.

The financial impact in 2024 is 1.9 million euros and in 2025 it is 5.5 million euros. It comes into effect in the 2024/25 school year, in September.

• Allocation of 50% of the housing supplement value for displaced students in households between 23 Social Support Indexes (IAS) and 28 IAS.

For all students whose family income excludes them from the housing supplement by a marginal value, "the housing supplement support will be granted, in the amount of 50% of the current value". The measure is intended for households whose per capita income is greater than 23 IAS and equal to or less than 28 IAS. That is, 23x509.26 euros and 28x509.26 euros. The candidates will be ranked based on income until the budget allocation is exhausted.

With a total investment of more than 32 million euros per year, this measure could cover more than 13,000 non-scholarship students. The financial impact in 2024 is 12.7 million euros and in 2025 it is 31.8 million euros. It comes into effect in the 2024/25 school year, in September.

Worker-Student Scholarships

Amendment to the Regulation for the Award of Scholarships to Higher Education Students, extending the income that worker-students can earn without losing the right to the scholarship.

Amendment: Exemption of the worker-student's income for the calculation of the household's per capita income, up to an annual limit of 14 minimum wages, while the remaining amount is included in the calculation.

Currently: An only child whose parents' income places them at the maximum eligibility threshold (about 1,255€ earned on average by the parents), can only accumulate about 350€ monthly salary as a worker-student.

Nutritionist Check and Psychologist Check

• In addition to the dentist check, which already existed, two others were created (but also reinforcements):  
  
  Reinforcement of 100 psychologists, nutritionists, and nurses in the Cuida-te + program of the IPDJ, through the reinforcement of the funds and the extension of the age of young people covered by the program from 25 to 30 years (12-30 years). The financial impact in 2024 is 675 thousand euros and in 2025 it is 2 million euros.

It comes into effect on September 1st.

• Introduction of psychologist checks to be distributed by Higher Education Institutions for the allocation of more than 100,000 consultations.

The Psychologist Check for Higher Education measure provides access to Mental Health care for students of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Note that the first Psychologist Check for Higher Education is requested by the student who feels the need for it in the Social Action services, "being able to freely choose a Psychology professional from a national list of service providers for the Psychologist Check for Higher Education".

The financial impact in 2024 is 1.5 million euros and in 2025 it is 3.75 million euros.

It comes into effect in the 2024/25 school year, in September.

• Introduction of nutritionist checks to be distributed by Higher Education Institutions, for the allocation of more than 50,000 consultations.

The Nutritionist Check for Higher Education measure provides access to Nutrition care for students of Portuguese HEIs, in a model similar to the Psychologist Check.

The first check is also requested by the student who feels the need for it in the Social Action services, being able to freely choose a professional from the national list of providers.

The financial impact in 2024 is 750 thousand euros and in 2025 it is 1.875 million euros. It comes into effect in the 2024/25 school year, in September.