“Return Home” with more than 2,170 approved applications - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

More than 2,170 young Azorean students who have left their island of residence to attend an educational institution have already had their applications approved for the "Return Home" measure under the "+ Youth" package, implemented by the Regional Government through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment.

Among the young students whose applications were approved for this unprecedented measure in the Azores, created in July 2024, more than 85% have already received payment for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years, representing an investment of over 184 thousand Euros.

With the "Return Home" measure, displaced young students benefit from the payment of two return flights per academic year between their island of residence and the location of the educational establishment they are attending.

Travel by young people from an island other than their place of residence to the location of their educational establishment is eligible for support in cases where there is no direct flight available or when one of their parents resides on that island.

Support for each trip, up to a maximum of €99, includes expenses for purchasing hold luggage and penalties for changing travel dates, when not included in the ticket.

Young students aged 26 or under, who are tax residents in the Azores and are attending level 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 courses within the National Qualifications Framework at a school establishment outside their island of residence, including another island in the Azores, Mainland Portugal or Madeira, are eligible for this measure. 

The mobility grant is awarded per academic year for trips taking place between September 1 and July 31.

Applications must be submitted on the Youth Portal, juventude.azores.gov.pt, from September 1 to August 15, according to the relevant regulations, which are also available for consultation on the Youth Portal.

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, highlighted the ‘innovative approach of this measure’ within the scope of public measures to support the qualification of Azorean youth. She praised the fact that it is part of a "wide-ranging package of measures aimed at supporting young people in pursuing their studies and enhancing their qualifications and training, creating conditions for them to establish themselves in the Azores."

The "Return Home - Support for the Mobility of Displaced Young Students" measure is part of the "+ Youth" package, an initiative of the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition Government created by Government Council Resolution of July 18, 2024. It includes, among others, the "Salary Promotion Measure."