Presidência do Governo Regional
Social security should create opportunities conducive to "social progress," defended José Manuel Bolieiro
Social security should create opportunities conducive to "social progress," defended José Manuel Bolieiro
Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures
Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública
Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July
Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
“Gender pay gap in the Azores is lower than national average,” says Mónica Seidi
“Gender pay gap in the Azores is lower than national average,” says Mónica Seidi
Nota de Imprensa
March 6, 2026 Social security should create opportunities conducive to "social progress," defended José Manuel Bolieiro The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, participated in the opening session of the 2nd Social Security Conference, promoted by Almedina, in Lisbon, an initiative that was also attended by the Secretary of State for Social Security, Filipa Lima The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the experience of the Azores as an example of social policies geared towards personal autonomy and social mobility, defending that Social Security should be regarded as a form of "social progress," capable of creating opportunities and helping citizens to build a meaningful life path. “The welfare State is not limited to public spending, nor is it measured solely by the amount of social benefits paid to citizens. It is measured by its ability to create real opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind,” he said. José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that social policy should protect those most in need, but also promote autonomy and value the contribution of each citizen to the community. "A social policy system should promote citizens' autonomy, value their contribution to the common good and give them the confidence that, in case of need, they will have the necessary support," he pointed out. During his speech, the President of the Government highlighted the social and territorial specificities of the Azores, noting that the archipelago's unique reality poses its own challenges to the implementation of public policies. The Region has around 250,000 inhabitants spread over nine islands and is highly dispersed territorially, with the distance between the westernmost and easternmost points of the archipelago almost three times greater than the distance between the coast of Mainland Portugal and the border with Spain. In this context, the Azores have a network of 253 private social solidarity institutions, including charities and similar entities, which provide community-based social services to the entire population. For the government official, although this ratio may seem high when compared to Mainland Portugal, it reflects the need to ensure adequate social responses to an archipelago and scattered territory. José Manuel Bolieiro also presented some of the results achieved in recent years in the Region, highlighting consistent improvements in various social indicators. Among these results, he highlighted the significant reduction in the number of Social Integration Income beneficiaries, currently about one-third of what it was previously, as well as historic levels in terms of employment and working population in the Azores. The President of the Government pointed out that these results reflect a strategy that seeks to coordinate social protection, employment, education and health, creating conditions for families to make a living from their work. “In the Azores, we have sought to reinforce the concept of citizen accountability and coordination of social protection, employment, education and health, as we know that Social Security alone cannot solve all structural problems,” he said. The head of the Azorean Government also stressed that the costs and challenges of social policies in the Outermost Regions cannot be assessed using the same criteria applied to Mainland Portugal, defending the importance of autonomy in adapting responses to local realities. "Political autonomy is not isolation. It is integration. It allows policies to be adapted and complements the responses of the national system without breaking with the fundamental principles of the welfare State," he stressed. The 2nd Social Security Conference brought together experts, policymakers and academics to reflect on the challenges and future of the social protection system in Portugal. The coordination of the Conference was undertaken by José Vieira da Silva, Fernando Ribeiro Mendes, Pedro Mota Soares, Jorge Campino, Miguel Teixeira Coelho, Leonardo Marques dos Santos and Nuno Amaro.
March 6, 2026 Social security should create opportunities conducive to "social progress," defended José Manuel Bolieiro The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, participated in the opening session of the 2nd Social Security Conference, promoted by Almedina, in Lisbon, an initiative that was also attended by the Secretary of State for Social Security, Filipa Lima The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the experience of the Azores as an example of social policies geared towards personal autonomy and social mobility, defending that Social Security should be regarded as a form of "social progress," capable of creating opportunities and helping citizens to build a meaningful life path. “The welfare State is not limited to public spending, nor is it measured solely by the amount of social benefits paid to citizens. It is measured by its ability to create real opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind,” he said. José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that social policy should protect those most in need, but also promote autonomy and value the contribution of each citizen to the community. "A social policy system should promote citizens' autonomy, value their contribution to the common good and give them the confidence that, in case of need, they will have the necessary support," he pointed out. During his speech, the President of the Government highlighted the social and territorial specificities of the Azores, noting that the archipelago's unique reality poses its own challenges to the implementation of public policies. The Region has around 250,000 inhabitants spread over nine islands and is highly dispersed territorially, with the distance between the westernmost and easternmost points of the archipelago almost three times greater than the distance between the coast of Mainland Portugal and the border with Spain. In this context, the Azores have a network of 253 private social solidarity institutions, including charities and similar entities, which provide community-based social services to the entire population. For the government official, although this ratio may seem high when compared to Mainland Portugal, it reflects the need to ensure adequate social responses to an archipelago and scattered territory. José Manuel Bolieiro also presented some of the results achieved in recent years in the Region, highlighting consistent improvements in various social indicators. Among these results, he highlighted the significant reduction in the number of Social Integration Income beneficiaries, currently about one-third of what it was previously, as well as historic levels in terms of employment and working population in the Azores. The President of the Government pointed out that these results reflect a strategy that seeks to coordinate social protection, employment, education and health, creating conditions for families to make a living from their work. “In the Azores, we have sought to reinforce the concept of citizen accountability and coordination of social protection, employment, education and health, as we know that Social Security alone cannot solve all structural problems,” he said. The head of the Azorean Government also stressed that the costs and challenges of social policies in the Outermost Regions cannot be assessed using the same criteria applied to Mainland Portugal, defending the importance of autonomy in adapting responses to local realities. "Political autonomy is not isolation. It is integration. It allows policies to be adapted and complements the responses of the national system without breaking with the fundamental principles of the welfare State," he stressed. The 2nd Social Security Conference brought together experts, policymakers and academics to reflect on the challenges and future of the social protection system in Portugal. The coordination of the Conference was undertaken by José Vieira da Silva, Fernando Ribeiro Mendes, Pedro Mota Soares, Jorge Campino, Miguel Teixeira Coelho, Leonardo Marques dos Santos and Nuno Amaro.
Nota de Imprensa
March 6, 2026 Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities (SRAPC), convened today the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs (CCRAI) for a meeting focused on assessing and defining strategies for welcoming foreign citizens to the archipelago. The working meeting, which marked the debut of the new conference room at the SRAPC headquarters in Ponta Delgada, was chaired by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, accompanied by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade. It brought together social partners, public entities and associations representing immigrants that make up this advisory body. The meeting was also graced with the presence of Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and Carlos Mateus, President of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC). As part of the agenda, the new Ordinance establishing the creation of Portuguese Language Courses in the Autonomous Region of the Azores was presented at the meeting. With a view to responding to the hundreds of people on the waiting list, the Azorean Government is promoting a substantial increase in training initiatives. "We had the opportunity to amend the ordinance by increasing instructors' hourly pay, from €19 per hour to €25," Paulo Estêvão explained, adding that the Government is challenging municipalities and the University of the Azores to join this training effort led by CRESAÇOR and AIPA. The government official stated that the goal is to "end the waiting list as quickly as possible," aiming to clear it within a year and a half to two years. The updated document of the Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Region was also presented at the event. According to the Regional Secretary, this update aims to provide employers with complete and accurate information to overcome bureaucratic constraints, ensuring rapid and effective integration into the labour market. During the meeting, the Regional Secretary announced the transfer of an adjoining building to the SRAPC premises in Ponta Delgada for the installation of the new headquarters of the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA). "It is a long-standing aspiration of the association. The number of cases has increased significantly, and the current facilities are no longer adequate," he stressed. In terms of decentralising migration policies, the Council also discussed the 4th Azores Migration Forum, to be held in April in the two municipalities of Flores and Corvo. Paulo Estêvão justified the decision by pointing out the relevance of discussing the issue in the most remote areas of the Region, noting that the foreign population in Flores already exceeds 10% of the resident population. With the regular revitalisation of this Advisory Council, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to building a pluralistic, inclusive and tolerant society, valuing the essential contribution of immigrant communities to the economic and cultural development of the Region.
March 6, 2026 Azorean Government convenes Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs to implement immigration and integration measures The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities (SRAPC), convened today the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs (CCRAI) for a meeting focused on assessing and defining strategies for welcoming foreign citizens to the archipelago. The working meeting, which marked the debut of the new conference room at the SRAPC headquarters in Ponta Delgada, was chaired by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, accompanied by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade. It brought together social partners, public entities and associations representing immigrants that make up this advisory body. The meeting was also graced with the presence of Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), and Carlos Mateus, President of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (RIAC). As part of the agenda, the new Ordinance establishing the creation of Portuguese Language Courses in the Autonomous Region of the Azores was presented at the meeting. With a view to responding to the hundreds of people on the waiting list, the Azorean Government is promoting a substantial increase in training initiatives. "We had the opportunity to amend the ordinance by increasing instructors' hourly pay, from €19 per hour to €25," Paulo Estêvão explained, adding that the Government is challenging municipalities and the University of the Azores to join this training effort led by CRESAÇOR and AIPA. The government official stated that the goal is to "end the waiting list as quickly as possible," aiming to clear it within a year and a half to two years. The updated document of the Guide to Hiring Foreign Citizens in the Region was also presented at the event. According to the Regional Secretary, this update aims to provide employers with complete and accurate information to overcome bureaucratic constraints, ensuring rapid and effective integration into the labour market. During the meeting, the Regional Secretary announced the transfer of an adjoining building to the SRAPC premises in Ponta Delgada for the installation of the new headquarters of the Association of Immigrants in the Azores (AIPA). "It is a long-standing aspiration of the association. The number of cases has increased significantly, and the current facilities are no longer adequate," he stressed. In terms of decentralising migration policies, the Council also discussed the 4th Azores Migration Forum, to be held in April in the two municipalities of Flores and Corvo. Paulo Estêvão justified the decision by pointing out the relevance of discussing the issue in the most remote areas of the Region, noting that the foreign population in Flores already exceeds 10% of the resident population. With the regular revitalisation of this Advisory Council, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to building a pluralistic, inclusive and tolerant society, valuing the essential contribution of immigrant communities to the economic and cultural development of the Region.
Nota de Imprensa
March 6, 2026 Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July The Regional Government opened today the new service provided by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) at the Integrated Citizen and Business Support Network (RIAC-RIAE) office in Ponta Delgada. The opening ceremony was jointly chaired by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, who oversees the RIAC network, and the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão. The event was also attended by the President of the AIMA Board of Directors, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, and the President of RIAC, Carlos Mateus. This partnership between the regional administration and the national agency aims to decentralise and speed up responses to foreign citizens residing in the Region, facilitating access to essential integration and document regularisation services. At the event, Paulo Estêvão recalled that, until now, immigration services were concentrated on a few islands, which required costly travel during the working week, heavily dependent on air connections. "This was very detrimental to our immigrants. We identified the problem and moved forward with this project together with AIMA, relying on RIAC's outstanding response capacity and efficiency," explained the government official. The Azorean Government is committed to expanding this local response to the entire archipelago in the very short term. “From July this year, we will have a response on all the islands. We will have RIAC offices providing the same effective response in Corvo or São Miguel,” stressed the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities. With a view to ensuring that regularisations take place "in record time" and without bureaucratic delays, the Azorean Government has signed preliminary agreements with AIPA (Association of Immigrants in the Azores) and CRESAÇOR. These entities will provide direct support in preparing the applications, ensuring that the documentation is complete when it reaches the RIAC offices. Paulo Estêvão pointed out that, as of today, the immigrant population in the Azores stands at around 9,000 people. This figure represents less than 4% of the Region's resident population, a growth rate well below the average of 15% recorded in Mainland Portugal. Despite its smaller scale, the government official noted the deeply humanistic approach of this integration policy: "Resolving this bureaucratic issue sends a message that immigration is welcome and that we welcome people." He added: “We are a people of emigrants. We have not forgotten the difficulties we had to face in other lands, and we want to provide all the conditions here to overcome those difficulties.” With the opening of this new office in Ponta Delgada, the Regional Government takes another decisive step towards consolidating an inclusive public service network adapted to the current demographic and social reality of the archipelago.
March 6, 2026 Regional Government opens AIMA service at Ponta Delgada RIAC office and plans to cover all nine islands by July The Regional Government opened today the new service provided by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) at the Integrated Citizen and Business Support Network (RIAC-RIAE) office in Ponta Delgada. The opening ceremony was jointly chaired by the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, who oversees the RIAC network, and the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão. The event was also attended by the President of the AIMA Board of Directors, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, and the President of RIAC, Carlos Mateus. This partnership between the regional administration and the national agency aims to decentralise and speed up responses to foreign citizens residing in the Region, facilitating access to essential integration and document regularisation services. At the event, Paulo Estêvão recalled that, until now, immigration services were concentrated on a few islands, which required costly travel during the working week, heavily dependent on air connections. "This was very detrimental to our immigrants. We identified the problem and moved forward with this project together with AIMA, relying on RIAC's outstanding response capacity and efficiency," explained the government official. The Azorean Government is committed to expanding this local response to the entire archipelago in the very short term. “From July this year, we will have a response on all the islands. We will have RIAC offices providing the same effective response in Corvo or São Miguel,” stressed the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities. With a view to ensuring that regularisations take place "in record time" and without bureaucratic delays, the Azorean Government has signed preliminary agreements with AIPA (Association of Immigrants in the Azores) and CRESAÇOR. These entities will provide direct support in preparing the applications, ensuring that the documentation is complete when it reaches the RIAC offices. Paulo Estêvão pointed out that, as of today, the immigrant population in the Azores stands at around 9,000 people. This figure represents less than 4% of the Region's resident population, a growth rate well below the average of 15% recorded in Mainland Portugal. Despite its smaller scale, the government official noted the deeply humanistic approach of this integration policy: "Resolving this bureaucratic issue sends a message that immigration is welcome and that we welcome people." He added: “We are a people of emigrants. We have not forgotten the difficulties we had to face in other lands, and we want to provide all the conditions here to overcome those difficulties.” With the opening of this new office in Ponta Delgada, the Regional Government takes another decisive step towards consolidating an inclusive public service network adapted to the current demographic and social reality of the archipelago.
Nota de Imprensa
March 6, 2026 “Gender pay gap in the Azores is lower than national average,” says Mónica Seidi The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, marked International Women's Day, annually celebrated on March 8, with a group photo that brought together more than a hundred female workers from the Department's services who wanted to join the initiative held at the Solar dos Remédios building in Angra do Heroísmo. The government official explained that this symbolic moment was intended to recognise women's daily contribution to the development of the Region, marking the date as an opportunity to renew the Azorean Government's commitment to promoting equality between women and men, both in the labour market and society in general. Mónica Seidi pointed out that International Women's Day is also an opportunity to highlight the role of women in the social, economic and institutional development of the Azores, while emphasising the importance of continuing to promote policies that ensure true equality. According to the Remuneration Gap Barometer (2023 data, published in 2025), the Azores have a gender pay gap of 11.3% in basic pay and 13.3% in average earnings, which is lower than the national average of 12.5% and 15.4%, respectively, showing a downward trend in pay inequalities in the Region. Regarding management and leadership positions in the Regional Public Administration, women are more represented in middle management positions, where they account for 53%. In senior management positions, female representation stands at 43.7%. Nevertheless, the government official acknowledged that challenges remain. "Despite the progress made, it is still necessary to raise awareness, monitor and strengthen public policies promoting effective equality between women and men," she said. "Marking International Women's Day also confirms the Regional Government's commitment to a fairer, equitable and discrimination-free society," concluded the Regional Secretary.
March 6, 2026 “Gender pay gap in the Azores is lower than national average,” says Mónica Seidi The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, marked International Women's Day, annually celebrated on March 8, with a group photo that brought together more than a hundred female workers from the Department's services who wanted to join the initiative held at the Solar dos Remédios building in Angra do Heroísmo. The government official explained that this symbolic moment was intended to recognise women's daily contribution to the development of the Region, marking the date as an opportunity to renew the Azorean Government's commitment to promoting equality between women and men, both in the labour market and society in general. Mónica Seidi pointed out that International Women's Day is also an opportunity to highlight the role of women in the social, economic and institutional development of the Azores, while emphasising the importance of continuing to promote policies that ensure true equality. According to the Remuneration Gap Barometer (2023 data, published in 2025), the Azores have a gender pay gap of 11.3% in basic pay and 13.3% in average earnings, which is lower than the national average of 12.5% and 15.4%, respectively, showing a downward trend in pay inequalities in the Region. Regarding management and leadership positions in the Regional Public Administration, women are more represented in middle management positions, where they account for 53%. In senior management positions, female representation stands at 43.7%. Nevertheless, the government official acknowledged that challenges remain. "Despite the progress made, it is still necessary to raise awareness, monitor and strengthen public policies promoting effective equality between women and men," she said. "Marking International Women's Day also confirms the Regional Government's commitment to a fairer, equitable and discrimination-free society," concluded the Regional Secretary.
Nota de Imprensa
March 5, 2026 Press release Regarding the ICOR study published by INE (National Statistics Institute), which assesses Living Conditions and Income, and without questioning the results presented, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) considers it appropriate to clarify that these results are based on a limited statistical sample when compared to the total population of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, given that, in 2025, 1,982 households were referenced in the Azores, corresponding to a sample of 5,433 people, of whom 4,143 responded to the survey. An analysis of the evolution of healthcare activity and key indicators reveals a number of significant positive aspects, demonstrating the Regional Health Service's (SRS) capacity for recovery, organisational adaptation and improved healthcare response. Therefore, it is important to emphasise: • Since 2022, the GP coverage rate in the Autonomous Region of the Azores has been equal to or greater than 91%. This means that, out of a total of around 263,000 users registered with the SRS, approximately 239,000 have been assigned a GP. • In primary health care, the overall rate of use of medical consultations has been increasing, reaching 86% in 2025. • The proportion of users with an assigned GP and, at least, one consultation with their doctor in the last three years increased from 74% in 2024 to 77% in 2025. • The proportion of children with at least six medical consultations for child health surveillance in the first year of life also increased, from 58% in 2024 to 64% in 2025. • Regarding dental care, and although the figures fall short of what is desirable, it is important to highlight the growth registered since 2022. In 2025, 34,176 consultations were carried out. In this context, it is also important to highlight the implementation of the dental voucher, aimed at improving access, prevention and equality in oral health throughout the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as well as the creation of a dental career scheme for SRS workers. • As for nursing consultations, 789,760 consultations were carried out in 2025, 59,927 more than in 2024. • As regards hospital consultations, 318,514 consultations were carried out in the three regional hospitals in 2025, with an increase of 13,215 compared to 2024. • Despite the increase in the surgical waiting list in the Autonomous Region of the Azores over the last two years, it should be noted that the three hospitals faced significant constraints: construction work at Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island and Horta Hospital, and a fire at Horta Hospital, which significantly reduced the number of available operating rooms. Even so, in 2025, 11,987 patients underwent surgery in the SRS, 285 more than in 2024. • As for day hospital activity, 78,694 sessions were held in 2025, an increase of 2,949 compared to 2024. The Regional Secretariat for Health acknowledges that there is still a challenging path ahead, but welcomes the results achieved and the daily efforts of the SRS professionals. The Regional Secretariat for Health also recognises that the goal for 2026 is to continue building a more patient-centred and stronger SRS that is better able to respond to the needs of the population.
March 5, 2026 Press release Regarding the ICOR study published by INE (National Statistics Institute), which assesses Living Conditions and Income, and without questioning the results presented, the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security (SRSSS) considers it appropriate to clarify that these results are based on a limited statistical sample when compared to the total population of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, given that, in 2025, 1,982 households were referenced in the Azores, corresponding to a sample of 5,433 people, of whom 4,143 responded to the survey. An analysis of the evolution of healthcare activity and key indicators reveals a number of significant positive aspects, demonstrating the Regional Health Service's (SRS) capacity for recovery, organisational adaptation and improved healthcare response. Therefore, it is important to emphasise: • Since 2022, the GP coverage rate in the Autonomous Region of the Azores has been equal to or greater than 91%. This means that, out of a total of around 263,000 users registered with the SRS, approximately 239,000 have been assigned a GP. • In primary health care, the overall rate of use of medical consultations has been increasing, reaching 86% in 2025. • The proportion of users with an assigned GP and, at least, one consultation with their doctor in the last three years increased from 74% in 2024 to 77% in 2025. • The proportion of children with at least six medical consultations for child health surveillance in the first year of life also increased, from 58% in 2024 to 64% in 2025. • Regarding dental care, and although the figures fall short of what is desirable, it is important to highlight the growth registered since 2022. In 2025, 34,176 consultations were carried out. In this context, it is also important to highlight the implementation of the dental voucher, aimed at improving access, prevention and equality in oral health throughout the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as well as the creation of a dental career scheme for SRS workers. • As for nursing consultations, 789,760 consultations were carried out in 2025, 59,927 more than in 2024. • As regards hospital consultations, 318,514 consultations were carried out in the three regional hospitals in 2025, with an increase of 13,215 compared to 2024. • Despite the increase in the surgical waiting list in the Autonomous Region of the Azores over the last two years, it should be noted that the three hospitals faced significant constraints: construction work at Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island and Horta Hospital, and a fire at Horta Hospital, which significantly reduced the number of available operating rooms. Even so, in 2025, 11,987 patients underwent surgery in the SRS, 285 more than in 2024. • As for day hospital activity, 78,694 sessions were held in 2025, an increase of 2,949 compared to 2024. The Regional Secretariat for Health acknowledges that there is still a challenging path ahead, but welcomes the results achieved and the daily efforts of the SRS professionals. The Regional Secretariat for Health also recognises that the goal for 2026 is to continue building a more patient-centred and stronger SRS that is better able to respond to the needs of the population.
