The Government intends to revise the rules on family foster care for older people and adults with disabilities (Acolhimento Familiar), aiming to improve and expand this form of social support, which is still little used in Portugal.
The proposed revision is already in the legislative process and aims to bring the measure in line with today’s reality, clarifying the rules and strengthening support for host families and for the people they take in.
According to data from the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, in December 2025 there were 649 people in family foster care: 313 older people and 336 adults with disabilities. Around 90% of them, 576 people, were highly dependent. The measure is currently available in 13 districts, with Vila Real, Braga, Porto and Aveiro covering the largest number of municipalities.
Family foster care allows older people or adults with disabilities to live, temporarily or permanently, with families considered suitable. It is mainly intended for situations where there is no adequate social support to allow the person to remain at home, or no family able to provide the care they need.
With this revision, the Government also aims to give more visibility to a form of social support with human and community value, promoting its development and expansion.
Source: Correio da Manhã, “Governo prepara novas regras para alargar acolhimento familiar de idosos” (in Portuguese). Read the original article.