Lisbon, March 28, 2025 (Lusa) — From 3 April, the maximum fares paid by residents and students of the Azores and Madeira under the social mobility allowance for journeys to the mainland and between the two archipelagos will be lowered.
The decree that "defines how to calculate the value of the social mobility allowance for transport services between the mainland and the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira and between these regions" was published today in Diário da República.
The new values come into force on the same date as the decree law defining the new model for awarding the social mobility allowance, which was published on 24 March and came into force 10 days after publication.
If the tickets were purchased before the decree came into force (3rd April), the social mobility allowance will be awarded according to the rates that applied until that date.
According to the decree published today, the maximum fare paid by passengers resident in the Azores for journeys to the mainland is reduced from €134 to €119, while for students, it is reduced from €99 to €89.
In both cases, the eligible cost of the ticket to be reimbursed is capped at €600.
On the other hand, the maximum fare for residents of Madeira travelling to the mainland is reduced from €86 to €79, and the maximum fare for students is reduced from €65 to €59.
In Madeira, the eligible cost of tickets has a maximum limit of €400, which, with the new ordinance, increases to €500, "when the destination or arrival is Porto Santo".
On routes between the two archipelagos, the maximum fare for residents is reduced from €119 to €79 and the maximum fare for students is reduced from €89 to €59. In both cases, the eligible cost of tickets is capped at €600.
In both archipelagos, "the maximum ticketing fee for eligibility purposes is €35 for single tickets (OW) and €70 for return tickets (RT)".
To access the social mobility allowance, the beneficiary will have to submit on an electronic platform a copy of the ticket purchase invoice, which includes information on the various components of the eligible cost, and a document issued by the airline proving that the journey took place.
If they are foreign nationals, they must also submit a copy of an identification document and a copy of a document proving residence in one of the regions.
Students must also submit a copy of a document that the educational establishment issued and authenticated, proving that they are duly enrolled and attending the course.
Until the electronic platform becomes available, the required documents must be delivered to the payment service provider (CTT).
The social mobility allowance (SSM) was created in 2015. It was regulated by different decrees for the Azores and Madeira, so the government "decided to create a uniform and single legal regime, with a view to simplification, efficiency and equal treatment between the autonomous regions", with a new decree published on 24 March.
According to the decree law, the value of the social mobility allowance "must be reviewed annually, in consultation with the self-government bodies of the autonomous regions", based on "an assessment of price conditions, demand and supply" and "the respective use by beneficiary passengers".
The assessment must be carried out jointly by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), with the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) or the Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT), in the first three months of each year, so that the government can "decide on the amount to be awarded to beneficiaries from the beginning of April".
The new law creates a "platform for managing beneficiaries and the reimbursement process" to "simplify, dematerialise and automate eligibility and reimbursement procedures".
It also foresees that "a financing mechanism may be created, enabling passengers to use a credit paid at 100% within a certain period".
The decree law revises the eligibility requirements to allow access to the subsidy for all citizens who have resided in one of the regions for at least six months, "regardless of their nationality".
It also creates "a control mechanism aimed at mitigating the possibility of fares being charged above the price practised by air carriers", to avoid "possible undue exploitation by some economic agents".
CYB/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
