The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation presented a proposal today to 12 teachers’ unions regarding changes to the support offered to relocated teachers.
The proposal includes extending support starting in September to all relocated teachers, regardless of whether they are assigned to schools classified as needing assistance. A key feature is an additional allowance ranging from 15 to 50 euros for those teaching in areas experiencing a severe teacher shortage.
Following the meeting, unions praised the changes but noted they are temporary measures. They expressed concerns that the additional allowance is not enough to incentivize teachers to choose these high-demand areas solely due to financial benefits.
“The compensation ends up being a bit diluted. It doesn’t seem sufficient to attract teachers to these positions,” said Manuel Teodósio, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Federation of Education.
Júlia Azevedo, president of the Independent Union of Teachers and Educators, considered the additional allowance insufficient, and a general secretary from the National Teachers’ Federation added that these are merely mitigation measures.
“The key issue is enhancing the teaching profession, which could truly resolve the teacher shortage,” Francisco Gonçalves argued. He mentioned the Government’s commitment to resuming negotiations regarding the Teaching Career Statute by late September.
“The definitive solution is to establish an attractive career,” agreed Manuel Teodósio.
However, Daniel Martins from the Union of All Education Professionals criticized the lack of solutions for non-teaching staff and specialized technicians.
Last week, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced the extension of support at the start of the academic year for all teachers assigned to schools located more than 70 kilometers from their tax residences.
This measure anticipates a compensation scheme approved in March by the National Assembly, opposed by PSD and CDS-PP, which altered the regime initially established last September, targeting teachers in schools deemed as having a teacher shortage.
The support expansion was initially scheduled for implementation with the 2026 State Budget, starting from January.
The Government’s proposal keeps the same financial support for most beneficiaries: 150 euros for teachers living 70-200 kilometers from home, 300 euros for 200-300 kilometers, and 450 euros for those over 300 kilometers away.
Unlike the scheme approved by the parliament in March, the Government now includes an additional allowance for teachers working in high-demand pedagogical areas.
In these cases, teachers will receive an extra 15 to 50 euros depending on distance: 165 euros per month for less than 200 kilometers, 335 euros between 200 and 300 kilometers, and 500 euros for distances exceeding 300 kilometers.
Last academic year, according to the ministry, 2,807 teachers in 234 underserved schools received relocation support.
From September, the Ministry estimates over 8,000 teachers will benefit from this scheme, requiring an annual investment of around 25 million euros.
