Manuel Garrido
When you move abroad, there are many things to consider and plenty of administrative tasks to complete. The last thing you need is unexpected complications to derail your immigration journey. That’s where social security benefits in Portugal often come to the rescue.
In this article, we’ll look closer at the various social security benefits in Portugal, what you need to access them for, and how they can help you.
You’ll also find out more about:
What is social security?
Similar to many other countries, Portugal’s social security is public-funded and provides financial support and resources to citizens, legal residents, and workers.
Called Segurança Social in Portuguese, it covers unemployment benefits, sickness, parental leave, disability, pensions, and family allowances. It also contributes to Portugal’s healthcare system.
It is primarily divided into three core components, each focused on tackling a different social issue:
- Proteção Social de Cidadania: Citizenship-based social protection is the non-contributory pillar and guarantees basic social rights regardless of whether you have made social security contributions.
- Sistema Previdencial: This insurance-based component is the primary core of the social security system and is supported by mandatory contributions from workers and employers. It provides protection against various forms of income loss, such as old age or maternity.
- Sistema Complementar: This component is voluntary and optional and is designed to supplement the Previdencial component. It includes private pension funds, occupational retirement schemes, and personal retirement savings accounts.
How the Social Security System is Organized
No matter where you are in the world, understanding the local social security system can be complicated, and Portugal is no different.
To better understand the various benefits of social security in Portugal, you should know how the three core components are organized in the system to give protection to different groups.
Non-Contributory Scheme (Regime Não Contributivo): This helps people with no or low income and those not in the workforce. It delivers into the Proteção Social de Cidadania component.
General Scheme (Regime Geral) + Voluntary Social Insurance (Seguro Social Voluntário): Aimed at employed and self-employed who contribute to the social security system, it funds the Previdencial component.
Outside public schemes (private): Anyone opting for extra pension or benefit layers, which are delivered by contributions to the Complementar component.
As a real-world example, a factory worker pays into the general scheme, which gives them access to the Previdencial component such as sick leave, unemployment benefits, or a pension. In another example, an elderly person who never worked formally may get basic income support through the non-contributory scheme, part of the citizenship-based layer.
Overview of Social Security Benefits in Portugal
Portugal’s Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security oversees the social security system, a key part of citizens’ and legal residents’ welfare. Here’s a simple breakdown of the social security benefits in Portugal and who the core components are aimed at.
Proteção Social de Cidadania
Considered a universal safety net, it protects low-income individuals and people without social security contributions. Both citizens and legal residents are eligible for benefits, which include:
- Social Integration Income (RSI), which is monthly cash support for those in poverty
- Non-contributory pensions for elderly or disabled people with little to no income
- Child and family allowances for low-income families
- Solidarity supplements like additional support for vulnerable pensioners
- Social emergency support, such as rent payments or food aid
- Long-term care support for chronically ill or elderly individuals
Previdencial
Employees, self-employed people, or business owners who contribute or have previously contributed qualify for the insurance-based component. The key benefits of this social security part are:
- Retirement pensions after the required number of working years
- Unemployment benefits for involuntary job loss
- Sick pay for temporary illness compensation
- Disability benefits if unable to work long-term
- Work injury compensation for job-related accidents
- Survivor’s pensions for families of deceased contributors
Complementar
This extra layer of protection is aimed at anyone (citizen or resident) who chooses to opt in and is often used by high earners, companies, or freelancers. The key benefits are:
- Private pension funds as an additional retirement income
- Occupational pension schemes through employer-sponsored top-ups
- Private disability or life insurance payouts
- Retirement savings accounts through tax-advantaged investment options
Want to retire in Portugal? Read our complete guide on the D7 Visa
Social Security Benefit: Unemployment
Unemployment benefits in Portugal are one of the most critical contributory social security protections, falling under the Proteção Social de Cidadania component. According to the Institute of Social Security, there are three types of unemployment:
- Generalized unemployment, which includes the unemployment social benefit
- Termination of activity (people whose contract has been involuntarily terminated)
- Termination of professional activity (cessation of professional activity for justified reasons)
The unemployment benefit is a monthly payment, generally based on around 65 percent of your average salary, with minimum and maximum thresholds.
The length of time you can receive the monthly payment depends on your work history and age. For example, if you are between 30 and 40 years old and have 15 and 24 months of registered payslips, you are entitled to 330 days of benefits.
Social Security Benefit: Illness and Disability
Employees and self-employed workers who cannot work due to illness or temporary disability can apply for the sickness cash benefit.
To meet the requirements, applicants must:
- Be temporarily incapacitated
- Prove the sickness or disability is certified by a registered healthcare professional
- Have six months’ payslips (continuous or non-continuous)
- Prove at least 14 days of work in the four months before the incapacity
The benefit amount is determined by the duration of the illness and your average salary. For example, for illnesses lasting up to 30 days, you are entitled to 55 percent of your salary, from 91 to 365 days, you can claim 70 percent, and more than one year entitles you to 75 percent of your salary.
However, people with a permanent disability in Portugal can apply for the Social Inclusion Benefit. At its base, the Social Inclusion Benefit provides €158 for people under 18 (increased by 35% in the case of single-parent families) and €316 if the applicant has no income.
Social Security Benefit: Family
The Portuguese people are known for their sense of community and for looking after less fortunate people. For that reason, the government has a Social Integration income, aimed at people facing extreme poverty.
The cash benefit is relatively small and should be enough to cover basic needs, but it increases based on a few factors. To be eligible, applicants’ movable assets must be worth less than €30,000, and the applicant’s income must be less than €237 per month. The benefit amount is the difference between the income and the €237 maximum.
There are also a few other benefits aimed at families:
- Prenatal allowance for up to six months
- Parental leave payments for birth or adoption
- Family allowance for children and young people
Social Security Statistics in Portugal
According to the latest statistics from the Social Security agency, almost 400,000 people received unemployment benefits in 2024, with the average benefit amounting to €624. Similarly, just over 830,000 people applied for the sickness benefit, with an average value of €889.
Here are a few more statistics on social security benefits in Portugal:
Family allowance: 1,187,000
Pensions: 3,003,000
Disability benefit: 87,500
Solidarity benefit:
Social Inclusion benefit: 169,000
Social Integration income: 114,940
How to get a Social Security Number in Portugal
To be eligible for any kind of social security in Portugal, you must prove that you have been contributing to the system. The only way to do that is by applying in person or online for a Social Security number (NISS).
1. To apply online, visit the Portugal Social Security website and change the language to English in the top right corner if it’s in Portuguese.
2. Click on ‘Citizen’ in the top bar and then click on ‘Registration’.
3. Read through the information and then click on ‘Pedido de NISS – Cidadão Estrangeiro ou Cidadão Nacional sem obrigatoriedade de ter cartão de cidadão’ in the second section. This is the link to “Request for a Social Security Identification Number (NISS) – Foreign Citizens and National Citizens who are not required to have a Citizen Card).”
4. Fill in the details on the page as requested. Even though it’s in Portuguese, you’ll notice English next to the words, in grey text.
5. The online form requires you to upload mandatory documents, which must be combined into one file.
6. Select your application’s reason and click the ‘Submit’ button.
If you get an error about being unable to process your request, which is more than likely, keep trying. There have been many discussions online about how fickle the NISS application process can be, so ensure the single file doesn’t have any special characters in the file name and that all your details are correct.
When successfully submitted, you see a notification onscreen that it has been submitted and will be reviewed. You’ll then receive an email or registered letter with instructions on where to collect your NISS.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal’s Social Security Benefits
What social security benefits are available in Portugal?
Portugal’s social security system provides benefits including pensions, unemployment support, parental leave, disability benefits, and healthcare coverage. Legal residents who contribute to the system can access these programs. Self-employed workers must register and pay into social security to qualify for benefits like retirement or sickness allowance.
Who is eligible for social security benefits in Portugal?
Eligibility for social security benefits in Portugal requires legal residency and active contributions to the system. Employees, self-employed workers, and certain dependents qualify if they are registered and make regular payments. Some benefits, like child support or unemployment aid, may also require a minimum contribution period.
How does the Portuguese social security system work?
The Portuguese social security system operates on mandatory contributions from employees and employers to fund benefits like pensions, healthcare, and unemployment. Self-employed individuals must also contribute. Payments are tracked by a social security number, and eligibility depends on contribution history and legal residency.
What is the minimum contribution period for social security in Portugal?
The minimum contribution period for social security in Portugal is 15 years to qualify for a retirement pension. For other benefits like unemployment support, the required period varies. For example, unemployment benefits typically need 360 days of paid contributions within the previous 24 months.
Can expats access social security benefits in Portugal?
Yes, expats can access social security benefits in Portugal if they are legal residents and contribute to the system. This includes employed, self-employed, and EU nationals with transferred contributions. Benefits like healthcare, pensions, and unemployment aid are available once minimum contribution periods are met.
What types of pensions are available under Portugal’s social security system?
Portugal’s social security system offers several types of pensions: old-age pension, disability pension, survivor’s pension, and early retirement. The old-age pension requires at least 15 years of contributions. Disability and survivor’s pensions depend on medical or family conditions. Early retirement may reduce benefits based on age and years paid.
How do I apply for social security benefits in Portugal?
Apply for social security benefits in Portugal by registering at a local Social Security office or online at segurança-social.pt. You’ll need a Portuguese social security number, proof of residency, and employment or contribution records. Applications vary by benefit type and may require medical or financial documentation.
