Forthcoming policy developments 

Portugal is currently preparing a new cycle of youth‑related reforms aimed at strengthening social inclusion, improving qualifications, and supporting young people’s autonomy. These forthcoming developments reflect the Government’s strategic priorities for the coming years and respond to persistent challenges such as youth unemployment, unequal access to housing, limited financial resources among students and the need to reinforce support structures for vulnerable young people.

Main objectives and rationale

The forthcoming measures are designed to:

1. Strengthen young people’s social and economic autonomy

The rationale stems from evidence that young people continue to face structural barriers in accessing stable employment, adequate income and affordable housing. The new initiatives aim to reduce these obstacles by promoting smoother school‑to‑work transitions, increasing income stability and supporting first‑time homebuyers.

2. Improve access to education and training for disadvantaged young people

The reforms seek to address persistent inequalities affecting young people from low‑income households, migrant backgrounds and vulnerable territories. The objective is to expand financial support, make higher education more accessible and provide additional tools for academic success and personal development.

3. Reinforce mental‑health and well‑being support for young people

There is a growing concern about the impact of socio‑economic pressure, precarious work and housing insecurity on youth mental health. Forthcoming measures aim to strengthen early intervention, improve access to mental‑health professionals and integrate well‑being support within education and youth services.

4. Enhance labour‑market integration

The rationale for revising existing measures such as internships, employment incentives and support to young jobseekers is linked to ongoing labour‑market mismatches, the prevalence of temporary contracts and the difficulty many young people face in securing their first stable job.

Main policy measures under preparation

Youth Income and Taxation Measures

New tax reductions for young workers up to age 35 and expanded financial incentives for early‑career employment aim to increase disposable income, making it easier for young people to achieve financial independence. These measures also respond to the need to retain talent in the country.

Housing Support for Young People

Planned reforms include expanded access to housing subsidies, tax exemptions for first‑time homebuyers under 35 and simplified access to credit. These measures are intended to mitigate steep rental costs and increase residential stability among young adults.

Strengthening Student Support

The forthcoming package includes the extension of scholarships for student‑workers, expansion of student accommodation and increased support for higher‑education mobility. The rationale is to reduce structural inequalities that affect student progression and completion rates.

New Mental‑Health Support Vouchers

The Government is preparing a new system of vouchers for psychological and nutritional support for young people, recognising the rise in mental‑health needs among students and young adults and the insufficiency of existing services.

Expected timeframe

Several measures were announced in 2024 and are expected to be implemented gradually between 2024 and 2026, depending on legislative approval and budgetary allocation.

Housing and tax‑relief measures targeting young people are expected to be fully operational throughout 2025–2026.

Expanded mental‑health support and student‑support measures are expected to enter into force progressively from the academic year 2025/2026.

Employment‑support programmes (+Talento, +Employment, Start/Iniciar) began rollout in 2024 and are planned to continue and expand through 2026.

Current Debates

In Portugal, current debates on youth social inclusion increasingly focus on how public policies can respond more effectively to persistent and emerging inequalities affecting young people. From the perspective of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude – IPDJ), these debates highlight the need for integrated, youth‑center approaches that address structural barriers while promoting participation, empowerment and equal opportunities.

One of the central debates concerns the multidimensional nature of social exclusion among young people, particularly those facing compounded vulnerabilities. These include young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), young people from low‑income households, young people with disabilities, migrants and refugees, and those living in remote or low‑density territories. There is broad recognition that social inclusion cannot be addressed through isolated measures, but requires coordinated action across education, employment, health, housing and youth work policies.

Another key discussion relates to the role of youth work and non‑formal education in preventing and mitigating social exclusion. IPDJ emphasises the importance of inclusive youth work as a space for personal development, social participation and skills acquisition, especially for young people with fewer opportunities. Current debates explore how to strengthen the recognition, quality and territorial coverage of youth work, as well as how to ensure that inclusive approaches are systematically embedded in youth programmes and services.

Digital inclusion is also a prominent topic in national debates. While digital tools offer new opportunities for participation, learning and access to services, concerns remain regarding digital divides that disproportionately affect socially vulnerable young people. IPDJ contributes to discussions on how youth policies and programmes can enhance digital literacy and access, while ensuring that digitalisation does not create new forms of exclusion.

Participation and youth voice are increasingly highlighted in debates on social inclusion. There is growing consensus on the need to involve young people more actively in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies that affect them. From the IPDJ perspective, strengthening participatory mechanisms and inclusive consultation processes is essential to ensuring that policies reflect the real needs and experiences of diverse groups of young people.

Finally, current debates also address the sustainability and long‑term impact of social inclusion measures. This includes discussions on the adequacy of funding, the alignment between national and local strategies, and the use of evidence and data to support policy development. IPDJ supports ongoing reflection on how to improve policy coherence and innovation, ensuring that social inclusion remains a central pillar of youth policy in Portugal.