DECO PROteste announced on Tuesday the launch of a support line to assist victims of forest fires. It is available starting today through the number 211 215 656.
“Today marks the beginning of the operation of a DECO PROteste phone line exclusively dedicated to supporting families, businesses, and individuals affected by the devastating forest fires that significantly impacted the northern and central regions of Portugal, especially during the month of August,” states a press release sent to newsrooms.
The consumer protection organization explains that the “initiative aims to clarify doubts, guide and support consumers in recovering losses and defending their rights.”
“The fires, which consumed forests, farmlands, homes, vehicles, and livelihoods, have left thousands of families in vulnerable situations. Aware of the urgency and complexity of the issues facing the victims, DECO PROteste offers their team of specialists to provide technical and legal assistance,” the statement further explains.
The line can help clarify questions related to:
Insurance
- Clarifications on activating fire insurance (home and contents) and procedures in case of missing supporting documentation;
- Car insurance and filing claims.
Government Support
- Information on government-approved support for rebuilding homes up to 100%, with a limit of 250,000 euros;
- Compensation for agricultural losses up to 10,000 euros.
Employment and Business
- Guidance on accessing treasury support for small businesses, simplified lay-off;
- Extraordinary financial incentive for affected self-employed workers.
Health
- Clarifications on waiver of user fees and free medication.
Other Support
- Information on financial support for economic hardship and animal feed.
Support for Fire-Affected Comes Into Effect
The government decree establishing support measures and mitigating the impact of rural fires takes effect today, retroactively from July 1, according to the text published on Sunday in the Diário da República.
Decree-law 98-A/2025, dated August 24, states that “rural fires are a tragic reality that plagues Portugal” and that, while “government priorities should primarily focus on prevention, mitigation, and suppression of these calamities,” it is “also necessary to establish measures to support and mitigate their impact on affected people and businesses.”
“These supports aim, namely, at rebuilding homes, resuming economic activity, assisting farmers, repairing infrastructures and equipment, restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, reforesting and recovering forests, and containing environmental impacts, among others,” it adds.
To “avoid the necessity of declarations of alert or calamity before implementing support measures for fire impact,” the decree approves “the legal regime governing the support measures” to be “applied, in time and space, as defined at each moment by a resolution of the Council of Ministers.”
