Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Public tender for allocation of 23 apartments in Foros Sol Mar opens on January 5
Public tender for allocation of 23 apartments in Foros Sol Mar opens on January 5
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Press release
Press release
Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional
Azorean Government congratulates TAP on new Porto-Terceira route
Azorean Government congratulates TAP on new Porto-Terceira route
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action strengthens operational fleet with acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action strengthens operational fleet with acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles
Nota de Imprensa
December 22, 2025 Public tender for allocation of 23 apartments in Foros Sol Mar opens on January 5 The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, announced, through an Order published today in the Official Journal, the opening of a public tender for the allocation of 23 new apartments in the Foros Sol Mar housing development, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island, on January 5, 2026. Interested parties must submit their applications between January 5 and February 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted by completing the appropriate form, available on the Regional Directorate for Housing (DRH) website at https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/drh/concursos, accompanied by the documents listed in Article 7 of the Regulations on the Lease with Purchase Option Scheme, and delivered in one of the following formats: DRH Services, located at Rua Dr. João Francisco de Sousa, no. 30, 9500-187 Ponta Delgada; RIAC - Integrated Citizen Support Network Offices; Registered post with acknowledgement of receipt to the Regional Housing Directorate, located at Rua Dr. João Francisco de Sousa, n.º 30, 9500-187 Ponta Delgada; DRH email address - [email protected]. The Regulations, which contain all the information about the procedures and conditions for accessing and allocating housing, are available for consultation on the DRH website. The 23 apartments include 4 one-bedroom apartments, 9 two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom apartments. They are located on Rua do Relvão, in the parish of São Pedro, and are intended for permanent residence. They will be allocated on a lease with purchase scheme. The purchase option can only be exercised by the tenant one year after signing the lease agreement. This works contract was awarded for €2.1 million, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Any requests for clarification on the understanding and interpretation of the Regulations should be addressed to the president of the jury and submitted by the interested parties in writing to the DRH Services in Ponta Delgada. Alternatively, they should be sent to the email address [email protected] no later than January 20, 2026. Requests will be answered within a maximum of three working days from the date on which they are received.
December 22, 2025 Public tender for allocation of 23 apartments in Foros Sol Mar opens on January 5 The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, announced, through an Order published today in the Official Journal, the opening of a public tender for the allocation of 23 new apartments in the Foros Sol Mar housing development, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island, on January 5, 2026. Interested parties must submit their applications between January 5 and February 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted by completing the appropriate form, available on the Regional Directorate for Housing (DRH) website at https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/drh/concursos, accompanied by the documents listed in Article 7 of the Regulations on the Lease with Purchase Option Scheme, and delivered in one of the following formats: DRH Services, located at Rua Dr. João Francisco de Sousa, no. 30, 9500-187 Ponta Delgada; RIAC - Integrated Citizen Support Network Offices; Registered post with acknowledgement of receipt to the Regional Housing Directorate, located at Rua Dr. João Francisco de Sousa, n.º 30, 9500-187 Ponta Delgada; DRH email address - [email protected]. The Regulations, which contain all the information about the procedures and conditions for accessing and allocating housing, are available for consultation on the DRH website. The 23 apartments include 4 one-bedroom apartments, 9 two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom apartments. They are located on Rua do Relvão, in the parish of São Pedro, and are intended for permanent residence. They will be allocated on a lease with purchase scheme. The purchase option can only be exercised by the tenant one year after signing the lease agreement. This works contract was awarded for €2.1 million, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Any requests for clarification on the understanding and interpretation of the Regulations should be addressed to the president of the jury and submitted by the interested parties in writing to the DRH Services in Ponta Delgada. Alternatively, they should be sent to the email address [email protected] no later than January 20, 2026. Requests will be answered within a maximum of three working days from the date on which they are received.
Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2025 Press release The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security reports that the National Government transferred today €3.6 million to the Autonomous Region of the Azores under the Cooperation Agreement for the Social and Solidarity Sector for the 2025-2026 biennium. This amount adds up to the €1.7 million transferred in November of this year, bringing the overall amount received to date to more than the amount transferred in 2024 for the same purpose. The Commitment for the Social and Solidarity Sector is signed annually. It aims to increase the Social Security's contribution under cooperation agreements to ensure a more equitable distribution of average costs per user. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, this average cost has not yet been properly calculated, which has hampered negotiations this year. In this regard, the Regional Government of the Azores has already mandated the Institute for Social Security of the Azores - ISSA to conduct a rigorous study next year that takes into consideration all aspects, considering the specificities of each of the nine islands of the Azores. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, emphasises that the Regional Government has always maintained a demanding approach with the National Government, providing the necessary clarifications and warning of the impact of not implementing these transfers. The National Government never indicated, by any means, that transfers would not be made in this regard. Evidence of this is the transfer made today, amounting to €3.6 million, which will increase the standard value up to 4.9% for all areas that had not yet been updated.
December 19, 2025 Press release The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security reports that the National Government transferred today €3.6 million to the Autonomous Region of the Azores under the Cooperation Agreement for the Social and Solidarity Sector for the 2025-2026 biennium. This amount adds up to the €1.7 million transferred in November of this year, bringing the overall amount received to date to more than the amount transferred in 2024 for the same purpose. The Commitment for the Social and Solidarity Sector is signed annually. It aims to increase the Social Security's contribution under cooperation agreements to ensure a more equitable distribution of average costs per user. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, this average cost has not yet been properly calculated, which has hampered negotiations this year. In this regard, the Regional Government of the Azores has already mandated the Institute for Social Security of the Azores - ISSA to conduct a rigorous study next year that takes into consideration all aspects, considering the specificities of each of the nine islands of the Azores. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, emphasises that the Regional Government has always maintained a demanding approach with the National Government, providing the necessary clarifications and warning of the impact of not implementing these transfers. The National Government never indicated, by any means, that transfers would not be made in this regard. Evidence of this is the transfer made today, amounting to €3.6 million, which will increase the standard value up to 4.9% for all areas that had not yet been updated.
Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2025 Azorean Government congratulates TAP on new Porto-Terceira route The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, through Lajes Airport, congratulates TAP Air Portugal on the opening of the new regular air route between Porto and Terceira Island, scheduled to begin on March 29, 2026. The new Porto - Terceira route will be operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft, seating 168 passengers, and will be scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departures from Porto are scheduled for 3:20 p.m., arriving on Terceira Island at 5:00 p.m. In turn, flights departing from Terceira at 5:50 p.m. are scheduled to arrive at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport at 9:15 p.m., local time. Tickets for the new Porto - Terceira route are now available for purchase on the TAP Air Portugal website and through travel agents. The creation of this direct link, with four weekly flights, represents a significant step in improving air connectivity between northern Mainland Portugal and Terceira Island, decisively contributing to citizens' mobility, regional economic development, the promotion of tourism and territorial cohesion. The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government acknowledges TAP Air Portugal's commitment to improving air links to Terceira Island, highlighting not only the new Porto - Terceira route, but also the maintenance and consolidation of regular flights between Terceira Island and Lisbon, including the creation of another night stop on the Terceira - Lisbon route. They are fundamental for the mobility of residents, economic activity and the connection of the Region to Mainland Portugal. The strategic importance of the air link between Terceira Island and San Francisco is also highlighted, as it strengthens the international connectivity of the Azores, brings the Region closer to the Azorean diaspora in North America, and further enhances new opportunities in the areas of tourism, investment, and economic and cultural relations. These links highlight the role of Terceira Island as an important hub in the regional, national and transatlantic air network, contributing to the attractiveness of the Region. The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government and Lajes Airport wish TAP Air Portugal every success with this new air link, which will further boost economic, social and cultural relations between Porto and Terceira Island.
December 19, 2025 Azorean Government congratulates TAP on new Porto-Terceira route The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government, through Lajes Airport, congratulates TAP Air Portugal on the opening of the new regular air route between Porto and Terceira Island, scheduled to begin on March 29, 2026. The new Porto - Terceira route will be operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft, seating 168 passengers, and will be scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departures from Porto are scheduled for 3:20 p.m., arriving on Terceira Island at 5:00 p.m. In turn, flights departing from Terceira at 5:50 p.m. are scheduled to arrive at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport at 9:15 p.m., local time. Tickets for the new Porto - Terceira route are now available for purchase on the TAP Air Portugal website and through travel agents. The creation of this direct link, with four weekly flights, represents a significant step in improving air connectivity between northern Mainland Portugal and Terceira Island, decisively contributing to citizens' mobility, regional economic development, the promotion of tourism and territorial cohesion. The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government acknowledges TAP Air Portugal's commitment to improving air links to Terceira Island, highlighting not only the new Porto - Terceira route, but also the maintenance and consolidation of regular flights between Terceira Island and Lisbon, including the creation of another night stop on the Terceira - Lisbon route. They are fundamental for the mobility of residents, economic activity and the connection of the Region to Mainland Portugal. The strategic importance of the air link between Terceira Island and San Francisco is also highlighted, as it strengthens the international connectivity of the Azores, brings the Region closer to the Azorean diaspora in North America, and further enhances new opportunities in the areas of tourism, investment, and economic and cultural relations. These links highlight the role of Terceira Island as an important hub in the regional, national and transatlantic air network, contributing to the attractiveness of the Region. The Vice-Presidency of the Regional Government and Lajes Airport wish TAP Air Portugal every success with this new air link, which will further boost economic, social and cultural relations between Porto and Terceira Island.
Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2025 Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action strengthens operational fleet with acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, delivered five electric pick-up trucks today. They are part of a set of vehicles purchased to expand the operational fleet of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action across all the islands of the archipelago. The remaining four vehicles are expected to arrive in January. According to the government official, "this is an investment of over €730,000, under a pilot action to promote the decarbonisation of regional public administration transport, integrated and co-financed by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project. "This significant investment, within the scope of the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, has led to the unprecedented introduction of electric vehicles of this type into the Regional Public Administration, specifically with their allocation to the Environment and Climate Action Services of the nine Azorean islands," he added. Alonso Miguel emphasised that "the acquisition of these vehicles represents another specific step towards the decarbonisation of the Regional Public Administration's vehicle fleet, intending to demonstrate that it is now possible to provide highly complex and demanding operational services using more sustainable technological solutions. The FOTON New e-Tuland 2025 PT electric pick-up trucks stand out for their robustness and versatility. These five-seater double-cab vehicles feature four doors and offer both comfort and functionality for operational work teams. They have an open metal cargo box with a useful volume of 1 m³ and a load capacity of up to 905 kg. The Regional Secretary added that these are "fully electric vehicles that contribute to reducing emissions and operating costs, integrating a 130 kW (177 hp) motor and an 88.6 kWh battery, with a range varying between 360 km in the WLTP combined cycle and 470 km in an urban environment, effectively meeting the daily needs of the operational services of this government." "The safety equipment on these vehicles includes ABS, stability and traction control systems, LED lights, power steering and practical solutions such as tow hooks and wall boxes for charging, reinforcing their professional and sustainable purpose," he continued. The Regional Secretary for the Environment explained that "the use of pick-up vehicles is essential for certain public administration departments, which involve more operational tasks. This initiative will allow us, for the first time, to assess the actual working capabilities and performance of electric vehicles of this type in demanding environments and conditions, namely rugged and uneven terrain, such as those where the operational services of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action operate daily." “In addition to the direct environmental benefits, this measure contributes to reducing fleet operating and maintenance costs, while strengthening the consistency of regional public policies in the field of climate action and energy transition,” he added. Alonso Miguel pointed out that the new vehicles meet the goals set by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project. They contribute directly to the implementation of one of the measures provided for in the Azores Regional Climate Change Programme, specifically measure TM3, which aims to promote the decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The Governor emphasised that the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, is a key element in the implementation of the Regional Climate Change Programme, with a budget of around €20 million, 60% of which is co-financed by the European Union, to be implemented between 2021 and 2030. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that, within the scope of the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, “a series of complementary measures and interventions are planned, such as the installation of 40 charging stations for electric vehicles. This will contribute to the increased availability of public infrastructures and the demonstration of the use of electric vehicles for different purposes and services within the regional and local administration.” “We want the Azorean public administration to lead by example, adopting solutions that contribute to energy transition, carbon neutrality and sustainable development in the region,” concluded Alonso Miguel.
December 19, 2025 Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action strengthens operational fleet with acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, delivered five electric pick-up trucks today. They are part of a set of vehicles purchased to expand the operational fleet of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action across all the islands of the archipelago. The remaining four vehicles are expected to arrive in January. According to the government official, "this is an investment of over €730,000, under a pilot action to promote the decarbonisation of regional public administration transport, integrated and co-financed by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project. "This significant investment, within the scope of the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, has led to the unprecedented introduction of electric vehicles of this type into the Regional Public Administration, specifically with their allocation to the Environment and Climate Action Services of the nine Azorean islands," he added. Alonso Miguel emphasised that "the acquisition of these vehicles represents another specific step towards the decarbonisation of the Regional Public Administration's vehicle fleet, intending to demonstrate that it is now possible to provide highly complex and demanding operational services using more sustainable technological solutions. The FOTON New e-Tuland 2025 PT electric pick-up trucks stand out for their robustness and versatility. These five-seater double-cab vehicles feature four doors and offer both comfort and functionality for operational work teams. They have an open metal cargo box with a useful volume of 1 m³ and a load capacity of up to 905 kg. The Regional Secretary added that these are "fully electric vehicles that contribute to reducing emissions and operating costs, integrating a 130 kW (177 hp) motor and an 88.6 kWh battery, with a range varying between 360 km in the WLTP combined cycle and 470 km in an urban environment, effectively meeting the daily needs of the operational services of this government." "The safety equipment on these vehicles includes ABS, stability and traction control systems, LED lights, power steering and practical solutions such as tow hooks and wall boxes for charging, reinforcing their professional and sustainable purpose," he continued. The Regional Secretary for the Environment explained that "the use of pick-up vehicles is essential for certain public administration departments, which involve more operational tasks. This initiative will allow us, for the first time, to assess the actual working capabilities and performance of electric vehicles of this type in demanding environments and conditions, namely rugged and uneven terrain, such as those where the operational services of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action operate daily." “In addition to the direct environmental benefits, this measure contributes to reducing fleet operating and maintenance costs, while strengthening the consistency of regional public policies in the field of climate action and energy transition,” he added. Alonso Miguel pointed out that the new vehicles meet the goals set by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project. They contribute directly to the implementation of one of the measures provided for in the Azores Regional Climate Change Programme, specifically measure TM3, which aims to promote the decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The Governor emphasised that the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, is a key element in the implementation of the Regional Climate Change Programme, with a budget of around €20 million, 60% of which is co-financed by the European Union, to be implemented between 2021 and 2030. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that, within the scope of the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, “a series of complementary measures and interventions are planned, such as the installation of 40 charging stations for electric vehicles. This will contribute to the increased availability of public infrastructures and the demonstration of the use of electric vehicles for different purposes and services within the regional and local administration.” “We want the Azorean public administration to lead by example, adopting solutions that contribute to energy transition, carbon neutrality and sustainable development in the region,” concluded Alonso Miguel.
Nota de Imprensa
December 19, 2025 Regional Government strengthens proximity and humanisation in healthcare The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended the opening session of the III Conference on Psychosocial Support for Displaced Patients, which took place at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre. The initiative, promoted by the House of the Azores of the North, in collaboration with the Azores Patients' Friends League, provided a space for reflection and sharing, where the technical aspects of care intersect with empathy, closeness and a sense of belonging. In her speech, Mónica Seidi highlighted the main public policies developed by the Regional Government in support of displaced patients, emphasising the strengthening of proximity in healthcare. Among the measures implemented, she stressed the significant increase in the number of health professionals travelling to islands without hospitals, which grew by 23% between 2019 and November 2025, corresponding to approximately 380 trips. Despite this effort to bring healthcare closer to the population, the government official acknowledged that the reality of an archipelago region also entails a movement in the opposite direction, making it essential to transfer patients from islands without hospitals to those with hospital facilities. In this regard, the Regional Secretary revealed that, since 2021, 43,000 Azorean patients and 29,000 accompanying persons have been transferred to hospitals on the islands of Terceira, Faial and São Miguel, representing an investment of €4 million in daily allowances. Mónica Seidi also praised the role of the Azores Patients' Friends League as a partner of the Regional Health Service, highlighting not only its clinical intervention but also the social support provided to users, a component she considered crucial to the success of the overall response to displaced patients. Regarding the situation at the three regional hospitals, the Regional Secretary stated that, since 2021, more than 25,000 patients and 22,000 accompanying persons have been transferred, mainly to Lisbon but also to Porto and Coimbra. These transfers represent an investment of approximately €24 million in daily allowances paid by the Regional Government, with an additional €5.3 million under the Special Supplement for Oncological Patients (CEDO). “More than numbers, we are talking about Regional Health Service users. It is on them that we focus our action and political decision-making,” stated the Regional Secretary. The government official also emphasised that the support model for patients transferred to Mainland Portugal is based on a hybrid model, integrating a dedicated service in Lisbon, under the supervision of the Regional Secretariat for Health, and a protocol established in Porto with a partner of excellence, the House of the Azores of North. Finally, Mónica Seidi announced that a tender procedure is underway, as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), for the development of a new IT platform dedicated to displaced patients. This initiative aims to eliminate the use of paper-based displacement credentials, thereby modernising and simplifying the entire process.
December 19, 2025 Regional Government strengthens proximity and humanisation in healthcare The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, attended the opening session of the III Conference on Psychosocial Support for Displaced Patients, which took place at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre. The initiative, promoted by the House of the Azores of the North, in collaboration with the Azores Patients' Friends League, provided a space for reflection and sharing, where the technical aspects of care intersect with empathy, closeness and a sense of belonging. In her speech, Mónica Seidi highlighted the main public policies developed by the Regional Government in support of displaced patients, emphasising the strengthening of proximity in healthcare. Among the measures implemented, she stressed the significant increase in the number of health professionals travelling to islands without hospitals, which grew by 23% between 2019 and November 2025, corresponding to approximately 380 trips. Despite this effort to bring healthcare closer to the population, the government official acknowledged that the reality of an archipelago region also entails a movement in the opposite direction, making it essential to transfer patients from islands without hospitals to those with hospital facilities. In this regard, the Regional Secretary revealed that, since 2021, 43,000 Azorean patients and 29,000 accompanying persons have been transferred to hospitals on the islands of Terceira, Faial and São Miguel, representing an investment of €4 million in daily allowances. Mónica Seidi also praised the role of the Azores Patients' Friends League as a partner of the Regional Health Service, highlighting not only its clinical intervention but also the social support provided to users, a component she considered crucial to the success of the overall response to displaced patients. Regarding the situation at the three regional hospitals, the Regional Secretary stated that, since 2021, more than 25,000 patients and 22,000 accompanying persons have been transferred, mainly to Lisbon but also to Porto and Coimbra. These transfers represent an investment of approximately €24 million in daily allowances paid by the Regional Government, with an additional €5.3 million under the Special Supplement for Oncological Patients (CEDO). “More than numbers, we are talking about Regional Health Service users. It is on them that we focus our action and political decision-making,” stated the Regional Secretary. The government official also emphasised that the support model for patients transferred to Mainland Portugal is based on a hybrid model, integrating a dedicated service in Lisbon, under the supervision of the Regional Secretariat for Health, and a protocol established in Porto with a partner of excellence, the House of the Azores of North. Finally, Mónica Seidi announced that a tender procedure is underway, as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), for the development of a new IT platform dedicated to displaced patients. This initiative aims to eliminate the use of paper-based displacement credentials, thereby modernising and simplifying the entire process.
