How to Access Portugal's Rent Assistance Program

Portugal's Mais Habitação initiative financially supports families struggling with housing costs and high interest rates.

Here's how you can benefit from the program:

Step 1: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you must meet the following conditions:

Tax Residency: You must have tax residency in Portugal.
Valid Contract: Hold a rental, subletting, or mortgage agreement registered with the tax office before March 15, 2023.
Income Threshold: Your annual household income must not exceed €38,632.
Effort Ratio: Your taxa de esforço (effort ratio), which represents the percentage of your income spent on rent, must be 35% or higher. Calculate this by dividing your rent by your total monthly income.

Step 2: Calculate Your Potential Assistance

The monthly aid amount ranges from €20 to €200 and depends on your rent-to-income ratio. Use this formula to estimate your support:

Support Amount=Rent−(Monthly Income×0.35)\text{Support Amount} = \text{Rent} - (\text{Monthly Income} \times 0.35)Support Amount=Rent−(Monthly Income×0.35)

For example:

Monthly income = €2000
Rent = €800
Support = €800 - (€2000 × 0.35) = €100

Step 3: Application Process

The process is automated, so there’s no need to apply:

The Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) automatically identifies eligible families based on their tax records.
Ensure your bank account is registered with your personal Finanças (Tax Office) and Segurança Social accounts to receive payments.

Step 4: Receive Payments

Payments are made directly to your bank account by the 20th of each month.
The IHRU will send a notification of eligibility and payment details.

Step 5: Verify Your Details

To avoid delays, confirm the following:

Your rental or mortgage contract is registered.
Your bank account is up-to-date on official platforms.

This initiative provides much-needed relief for families facing financial stress.