Guide to Rights and Support for the Visually Impaired

A Tool for You and Your Family

Legal Notice and Disclaimer

This guide has been prepared by the Portuguese Ophthalmology Society with the utmost care and is for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is intended to support users with low vision and their families and does not, under any circumstances, replace medical, legal, or financial advice from a qualified professional. The rights, benefits, and procedures described are subject to changes in applicable laws and regulations. Despite our efforts to keep this information up to date, we cannot guarantee its future accuracy. We recommend that you confirm all information with the relevant official bodies. The Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the information contained in this document.

Introduction: A Shared Path

Vision loss brings with it many questions and concerns, both for you and your family. This guide has been created to summarize some of the information you need for this stage of your life.

The goal is to ensure that you know all the rights and support available to you and show you, step by step, how you can access them. From administrative processes to resources for emotional well-being, culture, digital life, and sharing with others with similar problems. You are not alone on this journey.

1. The Starting Point: The Multi-Purpose Medical Certificate of Incapacity (AMIM)

The Multi-Purpose Medical Certificate of Disability (AMIM) is the official document that proves a degree of disability. If your disability is assessed as equal to or greater than 60%, this document becomes the key to accessing a set of rights and benefits that are very important for your daily life.

How to Request the Certificate? Step by Step

The process was simplified in 2025. Follow these steps:

1. Talk to your doctor: The first step is to visit your doctor(s) and request a detailed medical report on your health condition, along with all the tests that support it.
2. Place Your Order: With your medical documents, you can apply for a disability assessment in several ways:
   • Online (Recommended): Through the Citizen Portal (Gov.pt) or the SNS 24 app and portal.
   • In person: At the health center in your area of residence.
3. Await Assessment: After submitting your application, your case will be reviewed. You may be called for a consultation with a Medical Board or, in more obvious and well-documented cases, the assessment may be made by a single physician based on your reports.
4. Receive the Certificate: After the assessment, the certificate will be issued and you can view and download it directly from the application or the SNS 24 portal.

Practical Tips for the Medical Board

• Bring everything: Bring all medical reports and tests with you, even those that seem outdated. All documentation is important.
• Request a comprehensive report: When requesting the report from your doctor, ask them to describe not only the diagnosis, but also the specific impact that low vision has on your daily activities (e.g., reading, cooking, using public transportation, working).
• Be clear and objective: During the medical board meeting, explain simply and directly how your condition affects your daily life.

2. Your Rights

Once you have obtained your AMIM, the next step is up to you. To ensure that you receive all the support you are entitled to, you must actively request it. None of these benefits are automatically granted. This table shows you what to do, who to contact, and what you can expect from each benefit.

Social Security Benefits

Social Security manages a range of benefits designed to provide financial support to people with disabilities and their families.

• Social Benefit for Inclusion (PSI): This is the main direct monetary support. It was created to replace the former lifetime monthly allowance and social disability pension, with the aim of promoting autonomy and compensating for the general costs resulting from disability.
• Structure: It consists of three parts: the Base Component, a fixed monthly amount for all eligible persons; the Add-on, an additional amount intended to combat poverty, allocated to those on low incomes; and the Surcharge.
  • Access Conditions (Basic Component): You must be legally resident in Portugal and have a degree of disability, certified by AMIM, equal to or greater than 60% (or 80% for those already receiving a disability pension).
  • Application Process: Applications can be made online, through the Social Security Direct portal, or in person at Social Security service centers, namely at the Inclusion Desk, a service specializing in disability issues.
• Other Relevant Support:
  • Family Allowance Bonus: Children and young people with disabilities are entitled to an increase in the amount of family allowance to help cover the additional costs.
  • Special Education Allowance: Intended to cover expenses related to tuition fees at appropriate educational establishments or individual support from specialized technicians for children and young people who cannot be integrated into the regular education system.
  • Support Product Allocation System (SAPA): This system fully or partially finances products that are essential for the autonomy of visually impaired people, such as magnifying glasses, screen magnifiers, reading software, Braille lines, among others. The prescription is made by technical teams from accredited entities (hospitals, health centers, associations such as ACAPO).

Tax Benefits (Tax and Customs Authority – AT)

In addition to direct support, the State provides a significant set of tax breaks, which increase the disposable income of people with disabilities.

• Initial Procedure: The first (mandatory) step is to report the incapacity to the Tax Authority (AT). This procedure can be done online, on the Finance Portal, or in person. After submitting the application online, you must send a certified copy of the AMIM by mail to the AT's central services.
• Income Tax (IRS):
  • Tax Exemption: A portion of annual income is not subject to tax. Only 85% of income from employment (dependent or independent) and 90% of pension income are considered for the calculation of personal income tax, with a maximum exemption limit of €2,500 for each income category.
  • Tax Deductions: There are specific deductions that directly reduce the tax payable. These include a fixed deduction for each taxpayer or dependent with a disability, 30% of education and rehabilitation expenses (without limit), 25% of life insurance premiums, and an increased deduction for accompanying expenses in the case of disabilities equal to or greater than 90%.
• Vehicle Taxes (ISV, VAT, and IUC):
  • ISV and VAT: The law provides for exemption from ISV and VAT on the purchase of a new vehicle. For visually impaired people, the ISV exemption applies when the degree of disability is 95%. There are limits on the vehicle's CO2 emissions and a maximum exemption value of €7,800.
  • IUC: People with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 60% are exempt from paying the Single Circulation Tax. The exemption applies to a single vehicle per year and has a limit of €240.
• Exemption from User Fees: Presentation of an AMIM with a disability rating of 60% or higher grants total exemption from user fees for access to healthcare through the National Health Service (SNS).

3. Education and Work: Rights for Inclusion

Full inclusion requires fair access to education and the labor market. Portuguese law creates mechanisms to ensure that low vision is not a barrier to learning and professional fulfillment.

The Inclusive Educational Pathway

The Portuguese education system is governed by the principle of inclusion, seeking to ensure that every student, regardless of their needs, has access to quality education. Decree-Law No. 3/2008 is the fundamental law that ensures an educational response tailored to the specific needs of children and young people with disabilities.

The national strategy for the education of blind and visually impaired students is based on a model of resource concentration, embodied in the network of Reference Schools for the Education of Blind and Visually Impaired Students. Instead of dispersing specialized resources throughout the system, the Ministry of Education, through the Directorate-General for Education (DGE), has chosen to create centers of excellence within the public network. These schools are equipped with human resources (teachers with specific training) and materials (adapted computer equipment, Braille printers, etc.) to offer comprehensive support, which includes:

• Functional visual assessment.
• Teaching and learning the Braille system.
• Training in assistive technologies, such as screen readers and magnification software.
• Orientation and Mobility Training, for independent and safe travel.
• Training in Activities of Daily Living, to promote independence.
• Psychological counseling and career guidance.

In addition to the services provided in these schools, all students with visual impairments are entitled to specific educational support and resources, such as textbooks in accessible formats (Braille, digital, or large print) and special assessment conditions. The request for these materials is a process managed by the school itself, through an online platform provided by the DGE, ensuring that the resources reach the student.

Access to Employment and Labor Rights

Access to employment is a constitutional right, and to make it effective for people with disabilities, an employment quota system has been created. This measure makes hiring a legal obligation for certain entities, rather than a voluntary decision, and is a powerful tool for inclusion.

• Public Sector: Decree-Law No. 29/2001 establishes an employment quota for persons with disabilities equal to or greater than 60% in all public administration services and agencies.
• Private Sector: Law No. 4/2019 extended this system to medium-sized companies (75 or more employees) and large companies in the private sector, requiring them to hire a minimum number of employees with disabilities.

To make labor inclusion happen, the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) has a wide range of programs and support measures for both job seekers and employers:

• Professional Qualification: Tailored training and qualification courses aimed at providing people with disabilities with the skills they need to enter the labor market.
• Integration and Placement Support: Specialized teams from the IEFP and its network of resource centers mediate between candidates and companies, support active job searches, and provide technical follow-up after placement to ensure adaptation and job retention.
• Workplace Adaptation: The IEFP provides financial support to companies for adapting equipment and removing architectural barriers, ensuring that the workplace is accessible.
• Hiring Incentives: Programs such as the “+Emprego” measure offer increased financial support to companies that enter into permanent employment contracts with people with disabilities, making their hiring more attractive.

4. Navigating the Emotional Impact: Psychological Support

The diagnosis of a condition that leads to low vision is an event with a profound emotional impact. It is normal to feel anxiety, loss, or uncertainty. Taking care of your mental health is a fundamental part of your journey, and there are resources to support you.

• SNS 24 Psychological Counseling Hotline: A free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is provided by clinical psychologists and can be accessed by calling 808 24 24 24 and following the instructions for the psychological counseling service.
• Psychological Support in the National Health Service: Your family doctor is the gateway to psychological support. They can refer you for psychology consultations at your health center or referral hospital.
• Associative Network: Associations such as ACAPO offer specialized psychosocial support provided by professionals with experience in the challenges associated with vision loss.
• Resources for Young People: There are specific programs such as "Cuida-te +" for young people and Cheque-Psicólogo for higher education students, which facilitate access to psychological support.

5. Culture and Leisure: The Right to Full Participation

A quality life includes social and cultural participation. Low vision is not a barrier to enjoying theater, cinema, exhibitions, or tourism. The narrative shifts from "limitation" to "adaptation and opportunity."

• Accessible Culture Agenda: The website cultura-acessivel.pt is the main tool for finding accessible cultural events in Portugal. You can use the site's filters to search for events with audio description, tactile tours, or other adaptations for people with visual impairments.
• What is audio description? It is a resource that narrates the visual elements of a show (sets, costumes, actions) through headphones, allowing you to follow everything that happens on stage or on screen. The range of events with audio description is growing.
• Accessible Tourism and Leisure: There are projects and organizations, such as Accessible Portugal, that promote inclusive tourism, encouraging the active search for adapted leisure and travel opportunities.

6. Your Rights in the Digital World: Online Accessibility

Nowadays, much of our lives take place online. Digital accessibility is not a luxury, it is a fundamental right. The European Accessibility Act stipulates that, from June 2025, most digital products and services (such as e-commerce websites and banking services) must be accessible to everyone.

• What is an Accessible Website? It is a website that works well with assistive technologies such as screen readers (programs that read the screen content aloud, such as NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver), has good color contrast, and can be navigated using only the keyboard.
• What to Do When Faced with Digital Barriers? If you find a website or application that you cannot use, you have the right to report it.
  1. Look for a contact or an "accessibility statement" on the website.
  2. Contact the entity's general support and describe the difficulty you encountered.
  3. Mention that digital accessibility is a right protected by law.
  4. If you do not receive a response, the situation can be reported to the INR (National Institute for Rehabilitation).

7. The Support Network: Leading Institutions and Associations

In Portugal, there is an ecosystem of entities working to support people with visual impairments. The state defines policies and provides funding, while associations, with their expertise and proximity, provide rehabilitation and support services on the ground.

• Public Bodies: The National Rehabilitation Institute (INR) is the central body that coordinates disability policies. Its Inclusion Desk, located within Social Security services, is a specialized service point. The National Health Service (SNS) offers low vision consultations at several Local Health Units, namely at the São José LHU, Western Lisbon LHU, Loures-Odivelas LHU, Coimbra LHU, Santo António LHU, and São João LHU.
• The Associative Fabric: Associations are the pillar of practical support. ACAPO – Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal (Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Portugal) is the largest reference institution, offering functional rehabilitation services (orientation and mobility, activities of daily living), psychosocial support, and training. There are many other specialized associations, such as Íris Inclusiva, Associação A Bengala Mágica (focused on children and young people), APEDV (focused on employment), and ABAADV (guide dog school). A more complete list of associations dedicated to supporting users with low vision can be found on the INR website.

An Important Note

Attending low vision consultations and undergoing rehabilitation at these institutions does not exempt you from ophthalmology consultations with your attending physician. Always keep the reports of all consultations and procedures with you to facilitate communication between the different teams that are treating you.

8. Directory of Useful Contacts

This section compiles the contact details of the main entities. For national organizations, such as ACAPO or IEFP, please consult the official website to find the office closest to you.

Public Entities

• National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR), I.P.
  • Address: Av. Conde de Valbom, 63, 1069-178 Lisbon
  • Phone: 21 792 95 00
  • Email: inr@inr.mtsss.pt
  • Website: www.inr.pt
  • Note: The Inclusion Desk operates at the Social Security Services in each district capital.
• Directorate-General for Education (DGE)
  • Address: Avenida 24 de Julho, no. 140, 1399-025 Lisbon
  • Phone: 21 393 45 00
  • Email: dge@dge.mec.pt
  • Website: www.dge.mec.pt
• Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP), I.P.
  • Phone (Support Line): 215 803 555
  • Website: www.iefp.pt

Main Support Associations

• ACAPO – Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Portugal
  • National Headquarters: Av. D. Carlos I, no. 126, 9th floor, 1200-651 Lisbon
  • Phone: 21 324 45 00
  • Email: dn@acapo.pt
  • Website: www.acapo.pt
• Inclusive Iris – Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Address: Rua Maestro Francisco Sá Noronha, no. 199, ground floor, 4900-411 Viana do Castelo
  • Mobile phone: 968 299 344
  • Email: geral@irisinclusiva.pt
  • Website: www.irisinclusiva.pt
• Magic Cane Association
  • Mobile phone: 969 197 614
  • Email: associacao.bengalamagica@gmail.com
  • Website: www.bengalamagica.pt
• Blind Goat Association
  • Address: Rua Tenente Coronel João Luís de Moura, 56, 2590-024 Sobral de Monte Agraço
  • Phone: 917 772 437
  • Email: geral@associacaocabracega.pt
• Center for Early Intervention Support for Visual Impairment (CAIPDV/ANIP)
  • Address: Praceta Padre José Anchieta, Lot 5 R/C, 3000-319 Coimbra
  • Phone: 239 928 126 / 965 224 961
  • Email: caipdv@anip.net
• Association for the Promotion of Employment for the Visually Impaired (APEDV)
  • Address: Avenida João Paulo II, lot 525, 1º B, 1950-159 Lisbon
  • Phone: 21 831 07 60
  • Email: info@apedv.org.pt
  • Website: www.apedv.org.pt
• Beira Aguieira Association for the Support of the Visually Impaired (ABAADV) – Guide Dog School
  • Address: Rua da Albufeira, nº 15, Chão de Vento, 3450-333 Mortágua
  • Phone: 231 920 978
  • Email: geral@caesguia.org
  • Website: www.caesguia.org
• Portuguese Retinopathy Association (ARP)
  • Address: Rua Quinta do Cabrinha, no. 7C, 1300-906 Lisbon
  • Phone: 21 366 01 67
  • Email: secretaria@retinaportugal.org.pt
  • Website: www.retinaportugal.org.pt