Data on population indicate that:

According to the 2001 National Population Census, 6.1% of the total population has at least one type of self-reported disability. However, QUANTi study (a 1993-1995 survey) found that 9.2% of the population had some type of disability - a figure close to that determined by studies conducted in other European Union countries.

Portugal has signed the United Nations Convention and the Optional Protocol.

Important national laws, policies and strategies concerning disabled people include:

Key features of the national system include (including adapted items from the MISSOC database December 2008):

Disability benefits

Information about pensions and benefits available for people with disabilities is available at www.inr.pt, www.seg-social.pt and www.gep.mtss.gov.pt