The measures are included in the Municipal Regulation for Encouraging Birth Rates, which comes into force on 22 November, one day after the publication of the document in Diário de Notícias.

“The time has come to take another step forward and develop policies that allow us to reverse or mitigate the trend of low birth rates, considering that demographics and their dynamics are a fundamental component of the structure, functioning and economic and social evolution of a region”, reads the document.

The incentive consists of a “cash subsidy” and other support, whenever a child is born or adopted, provided that the parents have resided in that municipality in the district of Guarda, “for at least 12 continuous months”, prior to the date of birth/adoption of the child.

According to the regulation, parents will be entitled to 500 euros per year during the child's first three years to use in the “acquisition of goods and services essential to the healthy and harmonious development of children”, whether in food, health, hygiene, education, clothing or other types of items.

Vítor Proença, president of the Sabugal Municipal Council, told Lusa news agency that it is “important to provide this incentive”, as the municipality is “a territory with a low birth rate and it is necessary to support resident families or even attract young couples to the municipality”.

The mayor also highlighted that the support has another objective, that of “bringing some dynamism to local commerce” since the incentive will have to be “spent in the pharmacy, supermarket and other establishments” in Sabugal.

Vítor Proença recalled that the municipality already provides other support for children and young people living in Sabugal.

“Currently, we provide support from the moment a child is born until they start higher education. Younger children receive free food, virtually free daycare, free transport, and support for purchasing school textbooks, among other things.”

Students entering higher education benefit from “merit-based support” and “universal support for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” he added.

This new birth support can be requested using a specific form, delivered to the Sabugal City Council. Interested parties may apply via the municipality's website.

Requests will be analysed by the Social Development and Quality of Life Division – Social Action Service of the City Council.

To finance this incentive to encourage births, the local authority allocated 100 thousand euros in the 2025 budget.