Azores report 28,639 medical boards since 2024
Azores GuideThe Regional Government says the number of people waiting for a medical board fell by about 17% by 30 August 2026, while it acknowledges some waits exceed the legal deadline.
The Azores carried out 28,639 medical boards between 2024 and 30 August 2026, according to figures released by the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security. The assessments covered ADSE, Social Security and Multiuse Medical Certificates of Incapacity.
The Regional Government said the number of users waiting for a medical board fell from 1,753 in January 2025 to 1,458 on 30 August 2026, a reduction of about 17%. In the first eight months of 2026, 7,410 medical boards were carried out across the Region.
For Multiuse Medical Certificates of Incapacity, 5,362 medical boards were carried out between 2024 and 30 August 2026. The total included 1,649 evaluations in 2024, 2,261 in 2025 and 1,452 by 30 August 2026; the government said the increase from 2024 to 2025 was about 37%.
PS/Açores recently warned of delays of more than a year for incapacity-assessment boards intended to issue these certificates, and called for details of waiting lists and recovery measures. The Regional Government said it does not ignore or downplay cases where waits exceed the legally established deadline, and said regular monitoring with health units identifies the oldest cases and constraints on each island.
Since late 2024, a Regional Legislative Decree has adapted the national incapacity assessment regime to the Azores and set the composition and operation of medical boards in island health units.
Update — 2026-10-04
The regional legislative decree that adapted the national incapacity-assessment regime to the Azores is Decree No. 7/2024/A.
Update — 2026-10-04
The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security is overseen by Mónica Seidi.
Sources
Azores Guide
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