European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC)
Portugal
Policies
PORTUGAL
(150,000 large families)
1. Regarding policies for large families at a national level, please mark the measure you have in your country:
- Direct monetary benefits
- Reduced prices on basic supplies (energy, water, etc.)
- Housing subsidies
- Reduced prices in public transportation
- Tax deductions
- Large families cards
- Longer maternity/paternity leave for large families
- Support to buy a car
- Other benefits
2. Which specific monetary allowances for large families are in your country.
There is an increase in the child benefit for families with two or more children who are 36 month of age or less.
3. Which specific fiscal deductions for large families are in your country.
Deduction of EUR 900 per child ≤ 3 yrs when household has ≥ 2 children; additive across siblings.The house taxes, that are payed annually, have a reduction of 140 euros for large families in 2/3 of Portuguese municipalities.
4. Which specific reduced prices on basic supplies for large families are in your country
Not reduced prices in many municipalities offer a tarrif adjustment so that the family does not pay more for unit of consumption than the other families.
The VAT on electricity is reduced for large families at the amount of 150 Kwh per month (for other families the limit is 100 kwh).
5. Which specific benefits are provided by the large families card in your country
There is no Large Families Card, instead, support is divided between municipal cards (issued by local city councils) and membership through the APFN (Portuguese Association of Large Families).
6. Which specific maternity or paternity benefits for large families are in your country
None.
7. Which specific benefits for large families buying a car are in your country
Families purchasing a passenger vehicle with more than 5 seats are eligible for a 50% discount on the Vehicle Tax (ISV).
8. Which specific public transportation benefits for large families are in your country
There are in some municipalities family passes: the value of the monthly allowance is the same regardless the size of the family (for instance, in Lisbon).
9. Please write any other specific deductions or benefits for large families that are in your country
None.
10. Are any of the benefits for large families in your country connected to income? If yes, please explain.
11. Regarding policies for large families at European level, please mark the measures you have in your country
Not specific for large families. Only a small deduction in income tax per child (fixed amount of a maximum of 900 euros per year).
- Reduced VAT for diapers and basic goods for children
- Unpaid care of children in the household and for other dependent family members is recognized as work when calculating the national GDP
- Permit for large families with 7 and more children to drive the family van without professional driving license
- Basic consumptions tariff: water, electricity, gas, etc. is calculated taking into consideration the number of children
12. If you marked at least one of the measures mentioned above as applicable in your country, please provide details
Reduced VAT is only for diapers.
Water: Not reduced prices but in many municipalities there is tarif adjustment so that the family does not pay more for unit of consumption than the other families.
The VAT on electricity is reduced for large families at the amount of 150 Kwh per month (for other families the limit is 100 kwh).
(Answers provided by Associação Portuguesa de Famílias Numerosas – APFN) Updated 06/2026