The Social Mobility Subsidy, currently designated as the Territorial Continuity Mechanism, is a government support scheme aimed at ensuring the mobility of citizens between mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, as well as between these regions.
This framework is established by Decree-Law No. 37-A/2025 of March 24, as amended by Decree-Law No. 1-A/2026 and Law No. 23/2026 of June 1.
Beneficiaries
The following passengers are eligible for support:
- Residents of the Autonomous Region of the Azores or Madeira;
- Equivalent residentes;
- Displaced students;
- Workers who carry out regular professional activity in one of the Autonomous Regions;
- Minors, under the applicable legal provisions.
Subsidy
The passenger pays only the amounts indicated below, as established by law, depending on the route and eligibility, with the remainder subsidized by the State.
- The subsidy amount is variable, calculated based on the eligible travel cost, with support applied to the total amount.
- No social mobility subsidy is granted when the eligible cost is equal to or lower than the applicable maximum amount.
Issuance Fees
Issuance fees may be included in the eligible travel cost and are considered for subsidy calculation purposes. However, they are subject to limits and control mechanisms defined by applicable legislation, and detailed supporting documents may be required, especially when the ticket is purchased through intermediaries. Part of the amount may not be eligible if it exceeds the established limits of €35.00 for one-way (OW) tickets and €70.00 for round-trip (RT) tickets.
Eligibility Conditions
The subsidy requires:
- Ticket purchase;
- Actual use of the trip.
The support is granted after validation of the application and submitted documentation.
How It Works
- The passenger purchases the ticket and pays the full amount.
- Submits a reimbursement request:
- Through the electronic platform available at gov.pt;
- Or via authorized agents (e.g., travel agencies).
- After validation, the State reimburses the eligible amount.
The request may be submitted by the beneficiary or by an intermediary with explicit authorization.
Required Documentation
To request support, the following must be submitted:
- Boarding pass(es);
- Passenger’s Tax Identification Number;
- Citizen Card, ID card, or passport;
- Valid residence permit (for non-EU nationals or stateless individuals);
- Household composition declaration issued by the Tax and Customs Authority (if applicable under Article 13 of the IRS Code);
- Invoice or proof of ticket purchase, including a breakdown of eligible costs, containing:
- Booking code o Ticket number
- Origin o Destination
- Passenger name (first and last)
- Tax number of the ticket-issuing company
- Invoice number
- Total ticket amount
- Fare excluding taxes
The invoice is sufficient for the initial request; proof of payment may be submitted within 30 days after the subsidy is granted.
Online Invoice
Request an invoice online at www.azoresairlines.pt.
You will receive the invoice by email within 5 business days after processing.
Note: When the beneficiary travels on behalf of or at the expense of a legal or individual entity, reimbursement may be requested by the payment service provider for that entity, provided the invoice is issued in its name and includes the beneficiary’s name and tax number, along with boarding passes and required documentation.
Electronic Ticket Changes
Whenever a reservation change requires issuing a new electronic ticket, a new invoice request must be made using the new ticket number. If the change does not increase the ticket price, the invoice will show a value of €0.00. In cases where a new electronic ticket is issued, all invoices must be submitted to the subsidy-paying entity.
Note
Azores Airlines acts as the air carrier; processing, validation, and payment of the subsidy are the responsibility of the competent public authorities.
Important Rules
- The subsidy amount is calculated based on the eligible travel cost, regardless of whether it is a one-way or round-trip ticket.
- It is not allowed to reduce the value for one-way trips or apply coefficients or reductions associated with the ticket type.
- Stopovers (stays longer than 24 hours) are not allowed at connection points between the origin and the final destination — only itineraries with an immediate transfer (less than 24 hours) are eligible. Choosing an itinerary with a stopover may result in the loss of eligibility for subsidy reimbursement, even if the fare itself allows it.
Additional Information
- The scheme applies to eligible flights operated between mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira.
- The subsidy payment does not depend on the beneficiary’s tax or social security status.
- The process is mostly carried out digitally through the official platform, with a possible transition period for requests under the previous regime.
More information (only in Portuguese)
Decree No. 37A/2025 of March 24 – defines the new model for the Social Mobility Subsidy.
Decree No. 1A/2026 of January 6 – amends DL 37A/2025 and adjusts the regime to the operation of the electronic platform.
Law No. 23/2026 of June 1: Amends DL 1A/2026.