Voltar a Casa Programme: New Social and Healthcare Investment Support

Back at home Programme: new integrated response paves the way for future investment support in the social and healthcare sector

Published on the 10th of August, the legislation formally establishing the Voltar a Casa [Return Home] Programme (Law No. 43/2026) sets out a new model of coordination between the National Health Service and Social Security. In addition to creating the innovative concept of the Transition Residence, the diploma highlights the opening of financial support for investment and infrastructure adaptation in the social and solidarity sector as a priority.

A necessary legislative change in hospital discharge management

The entry into force of this legal framework addresses one of the most structural challenges in hospital management and social care in Portugal: the prolonged and undue stay of medically discharged patients in hospital beds due to a lack of compatible housing or family support. With the publication of the new diploma, the Government establishes an integrated response, prioritising the patient's dignity, continuity of care, and a safe return home.

The relevance of this legislation goes beyond the reorganisation of care flows: by enshrining the Voltar a Casa Programme in legislation, the State identifies this area as strategic and high-priority, preparing the regulatory ground for public funding of new physical and operational facilities in the social and private sectors.

Transition Residences: the new health and social facility

The main innovation introduced by this legislation is the formal creation of a new, temporary type of social response: the Transition Residence. This facility was specifically designed to accommodate patients who, having been medically discharged, require an intermediate period of care, rehabilitation, or specialised support before their definitive integration.

According to the newly approved legal framework, Transition Residences will be governed by the following parameters:

• Humanised Dimension: maximum capacity set at 10 patients per unit, promoting a non-institutionalised and welcoming environment.
• Temporary Nature: maximum length of stay of 2 years, during which the individual reintegration plan is developed.
• Continuous Monitoring: 24-hour operation, ensuring the presence of at least one direct care assistant at all times.
• Network Coordination: units linked to a backup structure (such as ERPI, UCCI, or Day Centre), optimising existing resources.
• Flexible Location: installation in properties belonging to the social and solidarity sector, State assets, local authorities, or other adapted spaces.

Implicit opportunity for investment support

Although the law covers technical and personnel costs through public co-financing, its enactment anticipates the likely opening of calls for funding and investment support. To enable the emergence of these units, the legislation explicitly foresees the allocation of financial support for space adaptation, building refurbishment, and the acquisition of specialised technical equipment.

Considering that the programme has been classified as a priority, it is anticipated that calls for applications under national or EU funds may soon be launched to support Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (IPSS) and other entities in creating these facilities.

A diverse range of support modalities

In addition to Transition Residences, the new legislation consolidates a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions:

• Domiciliary and community care: focus on keeping the patient in their home through the Domiciliary Support Service (SAD), Day Centres, or RNCCI home care teams.
• Foster care: integration of elderly or dependent adults into prepared foster families.
• Specific pool of ERPI beds: creation of additional vacancies, setting the reference value at €1,800 per month per patient, borne equally by the Health and Social Security sectors.

Strategic anticipation: the role of Yunit Consulting

The publication of this legal framework is the starting signal for social economy entities to begin planning their expansion and/or reconversion projects. When the calls for applications are officially launched, prior preparation of the project architecture and feasibility assessment will make all the difference to the success rate.

Yunit Consulting is positioned to support institutions with feasibility analysis and asset diagnosis, structuring investment projects, and monitoring and managing applications for future funding lines.