The back payments from January to August for the extraordinary rent support will be disbursed in October after multiple delays. More than 129,000 tenants will receive the subsidy this month, although 58,000 processes remain suspended.
What is the extraordinary rent support?
The extraordinary rent support is a non-refundable monthly financial aid up to a maximum of €200. It covers the difference between the actual effort rate borne by a household with rent and a maximum effort rate of 35%, as stated on the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) website.
What are the criteria to qualify for the support?
According to the IHRU, households can benefit from the support if they meet the following cumulative criteria:
- Have fiscal residence in Portugal;
- Are primary residence lease or sublease contract holders, registered with the AT and signed before 15.03.2023;
- Have an effort rate with the rent payment expenses equal to or greater than 35%;
- Have an annual income equal to or less than the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket (2023: €38,632) or,
if not required to submit an annual IRS return, have a total monthly income equal to or less than 1/14 of the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket regarding monthly work income declared to Social Security or the following social benefits: Old age, survivor, disability, or social pensions; - Unemployment or parental benefits;
- Social integration income, social inclusion benefit, or solidarity supplement for the elderly;
- Sickness and occupational disease benefits (not less than 1 month) or informal caregiver support.
“Households meeting the eligibility conditions for receiving the extraordinary rent support are informed by the AT [Tax Authority] of the amount of support granted and the data considered for its calculation,” the IHRU assures.
The government announced that more than 129,600 tenants will receive the extraordinary rent support payment in September, with back payments to January. However, more than 58,000 will have the payment suspended due to inconsistencies.
Beatriz Vasconcelos with Lusa | 08:09 – 28/08/2025
How and when is the support payment made?
The IHRU website further reveals that the “support payment is automatic (no application required) and paid by Social Security (via bank transfer) by the 20th of each month.”
“With the payment of the first monthly installment of support, the installments related to rents paid since 01.01.2023 are also paid retroactively. If the support calculated is less than 20 euros, it will be paid every six months,” it adds.
Ombudsman reported serious irregularities
It is noted that the Ombudsman announced having sent a notice to the Secretary of State for Housing urging a prompt review of the extraordinary rent payment support after receiving a “significant volume of complaints” indicating serious irregularities.
The Ombudsman denounces serious irregularities in the extraordinary rent payment support, urging the Secretary of State for Housing for an urgent review of the system.
Lusa | 11:26 – 26/08/2025
