Portugal’s 2026 State Budget includes the creation of a “mental health voucher” in the National Health Service (SNS) following a Chega proposal passed during the third round of specialty votes.
The mental health voucher is designed for situations where the SNS cannot respond within the Maximum Guaranteed Response Times (TMRG), facilitating access to psychiatric and psychology consultations.
Another health sector proposal from Chega involves developing a “single and interoperable platform” to integrate referral, scheduling, and waiting list management systems within the SNS.
This platform aims to enhance traceability, transparency, and reduce response times while ensuring interoperability with existing modules, backed by a specific budget for development and professional training.
Furthermore, the PCP successfully passed an initiative ensuring the right to accompaniment for patients with dementia or psychological instability within the SNS.
The budget mandates provisions for ensuring support across all SNS units and implementing security measures to prevent unauthorized exits during hospitalizations.
The Livre party’s proposal to provide training on violence against people with disabilities to public and private health service providers, security forces, and victim support organizations was also approved.
This initiative includes collecting and disclosing statistical data on the issue to inform public policy and conducting a national study on violence against girls and women with disabilities, specifically addressing forced sterilization practices.
