Misericórdia
Published 5 November 2026, 23:09
Santa Casa da Misericórdia (Misericórdia, ‘house of mercy’)
An old charitable brotherhood linked to the Church; almost every small town has its own Misericórdia. In practice it is a large social care provider: crèches, nursery schools, after-school care, care homes, home help, foster families. It works under agreements with Segurança Social, so places are usually cheaper than in the private sector, and fees depend on household income.
Where you come across it. A place at a crèche or care home, home help, after-school care for a child in a small town.
Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa is a different matter: it is much larger and runs the state lotteries. Elsewhere in the country a Misericórdia is a local institution, and each has its own way of doing things: ask at the one in your town.
Official website: ump.pt