From January 1, 2026, Students from public schools in Lisbon who want vegetarian meals will have to formalize the request with their respective schools. The information is provided by the “Observer”which cites an email sent by Lisbon City Council (CML) to guardians through the SIGA platform, in which meal appointments are made.
According to this communication, the vegetarian option will no longer be visible in the daily booking panel. Instead, families must declare “a permanent vegetarian diet”, submitting a request to the school coordination. Only after validation by the local authority will the student automatically and daily be entitled to a vegetarian dish.
The Chamber explains that the measure aims to distinguish between those who follow this diet “as an integral and permanent part of their lifestyle” and those who choose it on a one-off basis.
In practice, the change eliminates the freedom of daily choice between the so-called normal meal and the vegetarian one. “This option cannot be made available on a one-off or occasional basis”, reads the email cited by the Observador, “being reserved exclusively for cases in which the vegetarian regime is adopted in a continuous and structured manner”.
The decision has already provoked a reaction among parents and school directors and has given rise to a public petition defending the maintenance of “free appointments”. The municipality justifies the change with the need to reduce food waste.
“What is at stake is not a change, but a clarification of rules that already existed”, responded the office of councilor Sofia Athayde (CDS-PP), responsible for Education.
According to the Chamber, free choice does not disappear, but “it now follows clearer criteria, ensuring that all those who need or choose this vegetarian option have effective access to these meals”.