The government is reinforcing its commitment to prevent and combat human trafficking by introducing new measures to protect and assist victims. The Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) launched a technical and financial support scheme, with a budget of EUR 100,000, to fund projects on prevention, raising awareness, training professionals, and protecting and supporting victims. The scheme aims to support initiatives by organisations involved in the detection, prevention and response to trafficking.
The government also set up a working group to prepare a comprehensive legal framework for the protection and support of victims of human trafficking (through Order No 8971/2026 of 16 July 2026). This new framework will address current shortcomings in the response to human trafficking and will set out clear rules, responsibilities and procedures applicable to the detection, identification, protection, assistance and empowerment of victims. The new framework should help to strengthen the coordination between relevant authorities and stakeholders, clarify procedures and ensure a more effective response in areas such as victims’ access to social rights, healthcare, integration into the labour market and specialist support and care.
- Government of Portugal | Governo de Portugal (30 July, 2026), Governo reforça combate ao tráfico de seres humanos com nova linha de apoio e novo regime jurídico [Government steps up the fight against human trafficking with a new support scheme and a new legal framework],
- Government of Portugal | Governo de Portugal (30 July, 2026), Governo lança linha de apoio para proteção das vítimas de tráfico de seres humanos e prepara novo regime jurídico [Government launches a support scheme to protect victims of human trafficking and is preparing a new legal framework],