Non-Discriminatory Life Insurance: New Rights for People with HIV, Cancer, Diabetes, and Hepatitis C

People living with HIV, cancer, diabetes, and hepatitis C now have greater protection regarding access to life insurance in Portugal, thanks to the strengthening of the so-called “right to be forgotten” through Law No. 14/2026 of April 27. The new legislation clarifies and expands existing protections, prohibiting discriminatory practices and requiring insurers to adopt scientific, proportional, and non-discriminatory criteria in risk assessment.

For over a decade, CAD – the Anti-Discrimination Center for HIV/AIDS, a service promoted by GAT and Ser+, has played a fundamental role in defending the rights of people living with HIV in Portugal, notably through its persistent work to eliminate discriminatory practices in access to life insurance—which is mandatory to obtain credit for home purchases—an essential right for personal autonomy.

This effort contributed decisively to the passage of Law No. 75/2021, which enshrined the so-called “right to be forgotten” in the areas of insurance and credit, ensuring that a properly managed health condition, such as HIV, cannot be used to unfairly exclude or penalize people.

“This is a decisive step toward ending unfair practices that, for years, have limited access to fundamental rights such as housing. Health cannot continue to be a factor in social exclusion” – Ana Duarte, co-director of CAD

Thanks to these legislative changes and the ongoing work of CAD, people living with HIV now enjoy greater security, more rights, and greater equality in accessing life insurance and home ownership.

“We will continue to monitor the implementation of the law on the ground and support all those who still face discrimination. The goal is clear: to ensure real equality in access to life insurance” - João Brito, co-director of CAD