Lisbon mayor approves end of meal discount for most students without a ladder

The Lisbon City Council has approved the removal of the 50% discount on school meals for students who are not covered by the Action Social Escolar (ASE) program, which was implemented in 2024. This decision was made during a private meeting where the city's executive evaluated the ASE measures for the academic year 2026/2027. The proposal, put forward by Education Councilor Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves (Independent Liberal), excludes the current 50% discount on school meals for children and young people who do not benefit from the ASE program—approximately 60% of public school students in Lisbon.

Under this new policy, full reimbursement (100%) will continue for students in ASE levels A and B, as well as those with Special Health Needs (NSE). Students in level C of the ASE will still receive a 50% discount. In addition, the Communist Party (PCP) proposed an amendment to the document presented by the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition to continue the "Há gosto — school meals in August" initiative, which had been active in the last two academic years. This amendment was approved unanimously, according to an official source from the municipality. The PCP argued that ending this program, as proposed by the governing coalition, would harm thousands of children, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families.

Another amendment, proposed by the Left Bloc (BE), increased the support for the purchase of calculators from 100 to 120 euros for students entering the 10th grade for the first time. This support includes students in ASE levels A, B, or C, as well as those with NSE, whether they attend scientific-humanistic courses, vocational training, or artistic education. Despite approving this additional support, the BE voted against the overall document due to its rejection of the proposal for universal free school meals, emphasizing the significant reduction in the number of children covered, which represents a step back in family support policies.

An additional amendment was also approved to set the cost of school meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack) at 50% for all preschool children and primary and secondary school students, provided their household can prove an annual gross income equal to or less than twice the annual median gross salary. According to the PSD/CDS-PP/IL government, this measure aims to ensure support based on income rather than using taxes from Lisbon residents to subsidize households earning up to 100,000 euros per month. They emphasized that Lisbon is the only municipality in the country to cover meal costs for all students, going beyond the state’s stipulations, which only provide full support for level A and 50% for level B.

The Socialist Party (PS) opposed the proposal, stating it represented an unjust, inconsistent, and unexplained retreat in family and public school support policies in Lisbon. The PS criticized the decision by the ruling coalition led by Carlos Moedas, arguing that it contradicted previous statements made in 2025 when these measures were described as a direct investment in learning conditions, equality of opportunity, and educational success for all students. The PS pointed out that the only relevant difference between 2025 and 2026 is the political calendar, noting that local elections took place in 2025. The PS continues to advocate for universal free school meals but saw their proposal rejected.

Since 2024, more than 30,000 students without ASE coverage have paid only half the price of a school meal in Lisbon, following the approval of a proposal by the PS in the Municipal Chamber. This measure was renewed in 2025 again under a PS proposal and then in 2026, this time under a proposal from the leadership of Carlos Moedas (PSD), submitted in 2025. In response to a written question from Lusa, the Education Councilor stated that the proposal for the upcoming academic year is based on the clear assumption of supporting those who truly need it, depending on their income, rather than using the taxes of Lisbon residents to subsidize households with monthly incomes of 100,000 euros.

The Left Bloc, represented by councilor Carolina Serrão, highlighted the necessity of making school meals free for the majority of students and increasing support for essential educational materials. She warned that reducing meal discounts would directly increase the financial burden on families, especially given the rising cost of living marked by increases in essential goods and housing prices. The Bloc’s document emphasizes that school meals should be considered a fundamental right for children and youth and an essential tool for ensuring equal opportunities. It proposes the complete elimination of meal costs for all preschool children and basic and secondary school students not covered by ASE levels A and B. Additionally, it suggests strengthening support for the acquisition of specific equipment and materials for 10th-grade students attending scientific-humanistic, vocational, or artistic courses, raising the maximum contribution amount from 100 to 120 euros per student. The document also recommends delegating responsibilities to school cluster directors.

The Communist Party (PCP) similarly criticized the decision, recalling the end of the "Há gosto — school meals in August" initiative, which had been proposed by the party and was in effect for the past two academic years. The PCP noted that this measure ensured the extension of school meals to the month of August for children who needed them, despite not being universally available across the city due to the choice of the PSD/CDS/IL/Moedas administration. The PCP pledged to propose the continuation and expansion of the measure, similar to what was done last year, to ensure that children in the city who need it can benefit from it this August 2026.

The PS recently denounced that over 30,000 students in Lisbon would lose the 50% discount on school meals, criticizing the decision by the Executive. In a moment when many families are struggling with the cost of living, Carlos Moedas chose to remove a basic support for those working and raising children in the city. The PS announced that Moedas' vision for Lisbon is becoming increasingly clear: fewer supports for the middle class and more difficulties for those living there daily. The PS plans to bring the issue to the City Council meeting as well, and the Livre party had already criticized the measure. Given the majority achieved with the allocation of portfolios to former Chega member Ana Simões Silva, the measure is likely to be approved and sent to the Municipal Assembly.

Rodrigo Mello Gonçalves, the Education Councilor, affirmed that the CML's proposal for the next academic year is based on the clear assumption of supporting those who really need it, depending on their income, rather than using the taxes of Lisbon residents to subsidize households with monthly incomes of 100,000 euros. He added that Lisbon is the only municipality in the country to cover meal costs for all students and that with this cut, the city continues to go far beyond what is determined by the State, which only sets support for level A at 100% and level B at 50%.

Despite this, there could still be substantial changes to the document. The Press Office of the Livre party in the City Council indicated that further developments might occur.