Portugal Social Security: What Benefits Do Expats Qualify For?

Thinking about moving to Portugal and wondering how its social security system works? Whether you’re an expat working in Portugal, a family moving with kids, or simply planning to retire there, understanding the process for social security contributions and the benefits you could be eligible for is essential.

Read on to find out all you need to know about the Portugal social security system, including how it works, how to contribute, and what kind of benefits and support you could be eligible for.

The Portugal social security (Segurança Social) system is designed to provide financial support and protection to residents, including expats who meet certain criteria. It covers everything from unemployment and sickness benefits to maternity leave and pensions, and can be classified into three different categories:

The welfare (Previdencial) system: Designed for financial support to unemployed workers
The solidarity (Solidariedade) system: Designed to guarantee citizenship rights and address poverty
The family support (Protecção Familiar) system: Designed to assist families in cases of disability or dependency

The Portugal social security system is inclusive and welcoming, offering benefits not only to Portuguese citizens but also to expat residents who work and contribute to the system.

To get started, you’ll need a Social Security Identification Number (NISS). If you’re a Portuguese citizen, your NISS is conveniently located on the back of your citizen’s card. But if you’re a foreign national, don’t worry—you can apply for your NISS through the Portuguese public services portal (o seu portal de servicos publicos).

Also, if you start working for a company in Portugal, your employer will typically apply for your NISS on your behalf, making it that much easier.

Once you’re set up, it’s important to understand how contributions work. In Portugal, both employees and employers make social security contributions.

Employees contribute 11 percent of their salary, which covers family benefits, pensions, and unemployment support. On the other hand, employers contribute between 22.3 percent and 34.75 percent of the employee’s salary, which includes an additional premium for occupational accident insurance.

If you’re an employee in Portugal, your contributions are automatically deducted from your salary. But if you’re self-employed, you are responsible for making your own contributions, which are typically a little higher than those of employees.

The Portugal social security system is designed to be accessible and straightforward for all residents, ensuring that they can easily access the benefits they’re entitled to.

But what if you’re not employed in Portugal? The good news is, as long as your country has a bilateral agreement with Portugal, there should be a way to allow for the transfer or combination of social security contributions, ensuring you don’t lose your entitlements when moving to Portugal from other countries.

Portugal has social security agreements with all EU countries and a wide range of non-EU countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, among others.

These agreements are designed to make life easier for expats by allowing the transfer or combination of your social security benefits. For example, periods of insurance, work, or taxation in your home country can count toward your entitlements in Portugal.

Plus, thanks to the EU’s coordination rules, you’ll only need to make social security contributions in one country at a time, helping you avoid double taxation.

For tailored advice on your specific situation, it’s best to consult your home country’s embassy in Portugal or seek guidance from an expat financial advisor.

Unemployment Benefit in Portugal

If you find yourself out of work in Portugal, the social security system has a range of unemployment benefits designed to support you during this transition. Losing your job can be stressful, but the Portugal social security system offers financial support to help you get back on your feet.

There are four different types of unemployment benefits in Portugal, namely:

Unemployment benefit: This is the standard unemployment allowance for those who have lost their job involuntarily or reached the end of their employment contract. It’s a financial lifeline to help you stay afloat while you search for your next opportunity.
Social unemployment benefit: If you don’t meet the criteria for the standard unemployment benefit or your benefits have run out, this option steps in to provide support and a safety net.
Partial unemployment benefit: If you were receiving unemployment benefits but have now taken on part-time or freelance work, this allowance helps supplement your reduced income.
Allowances for cessation of work for self-employed workers: If you’re self-employed and have lost your main source of income or had to close your business (for justifiable reasons), this benefit is here to help.

Who can get unemployment benefits in Portugal?

Since there are different types of benefits for unemployed or partially employed workers in Portugal, there are also different qualifying criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the unemployment benefit options available—and who qualifies for them.

Unemployment benefit

To be eligible for the standard unemployment benefit, you must:

Reside in Portugal
Be involuntarily unemployed
Be registered as a job-seeker with the Portuguese job center (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional – IEFP)
Have worked for at least 360 days in the 24 months before becoming unemployed

The good news for expats who have worked in EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, or any country with a social security agreement with Portugal, is that those days can count toward the 360-day requirement.

To be eligible for the social unemployment benefit, you must:

Have already exhausted your entitlement to standard unemployment benefits
Have worked for 180 days in the 12 months before becoming unemployed (or 120 days in some cases)
Meet income and asset limits:
You must not own movable assets worth more than €125,400
Your income must not exceed 80 percent of the social support index (currently €418 per month)

Note: The exact rules can vary, so it’s a good idea to seek advice tailored to your situation.

Partial unemployment benefit

To be eligible for the partial unemployment benefit, you must:

Be claiming or already receiving unemployment benefits
Be working (or about to start) in a part-time job or self-employed role with earnings lower than your unemployment benefit amount
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to have worked for 360 days in the last 24 months (or 720 days within the last 48 months) to qualify

Allowances for cessation of work for self-employed workers

To be eligible for this allowance, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

Your work contract must have ended involuntarily.
You must have worked as an independent worker for at least 360 days within the 24 months immediately before the termination of your contract.
You must have been considered economically dependent on the work contract in the calendar year before the termination. This means the majority of your income came from this entity.
You’ll need to register as a job-seeker with the (IEFP) in your area of residence.

Unemployment benefit amounts and how to claim

The duration of your unemployment benefits depends on how long you were in paid work before becoming unemployed. The rules can vary based on your age and work history, but here are a few examples to give you an idea:

If you’re aged 30–39 and have more than 24 months between your two most recent periods of unemployment, you could be entitled to benefits for up to 420 days.
If you’re over 50, that entitlement increases to 540 days.

These are just a couple of scenarios—there are many permutations depending on your specific situation. For more detailed calculations, you can check out the European Commission’s website.

How much will you receive?

Unemployment benefits are typically calculated as 65 percent of your registered earnings. However, there are minimum and maximum limits to keep in mind:

Minimum monthly unemployment benefit rate in 2025: €522.50
Maximum monthly unemployment benefit rate in 2025: €1,306.25
There’s also some extra support available if you have dependents. If both spouses are receiving benefits and have dependent children, or if you’re a single parent, your benefit amount can be increased by 25 percent.

How to claim your benefits

Claiming unemployment benefits in Portugal is a straightforward process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Fill out Form RP5044:

This is the main application form for unemployment benefits. You can download it from the Social Security department’s website.

Migrant Workers should also complete Form U1:

If you’re a migrant worker from an EU country, you’ll also need to fill out Form U1 to certify your EU benefits. This ensures your contributions from other EU countries are taken into account.

Submit Your Application:

Once your forms are complete, submit them to your local IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) office. Don’t forget to bring along any supporting documents, like your employment history, pay slips, and proof of termination.

Sickness Benefits in Portugal

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and if you find yourself unable to work due to illness, Portugal’s social security system has you covered. Both employees and self-employed workers can claim sickness benefits, but there are a few eligibility requirements to keep in mind. Here’s how to qualify for the benefit:

You must have been working for at least six months (either consecutively or overall) before the sickness began.
You’ll also need to have worked for at least 12 days in the four months immediately before falling ill.
If you’re self-employed, you must have paid your social security contributions for the three months directly before the sickness started.

How much will you receive?

Sickness benefits kick in from the fourth day of incapacity for employees and the eleventh day for self-employed workers. The amount you receive depends on how long you’re unable to work:

First 30 days: 55 percent of your income
Days 31–90: 60 percent of your income
Days 91–365: 70 percent of your income
Over 365 days: 75 percent of your income

Note: there is a minimum sickness benefit of 30 percent of the Portuguese social security wage.

Maternity Benefits in Portugal

Starting a family in Portugal? The country’s social security system offers generous maternity benefits to support new parents. Here’s who qualifies for the benefit:

Expectant mothers must have paid social security contributions for at least six months
Contributions must have been made in the quarter of the year immediately before the maternity leave begins

What’s included?

Mothers are entitled to 30 days of voluntary leave before childbirth and 42 days of compulsory leave after birth. Fathers can take 20 days of leave, with 5 days immediately after birth and the remaining 15 days within the following six weeks.

Mothers receive 100 percent of their income for the first 120 days of leave. An additional 30 days can be added if parents take shared leave or in the case of multiple births, paid at 80 percent of income.

Child Benefits in Portugal

Raising children in Portugal? The country offers child benefits to help ease the financial burden. Here’s who can qualify for the support:

Families with assets worth less than €122,222.40 and earnings below certain thresholds.
Benefits are available for children up to 16 years old. For children aged 16–24, benefits continue if they’re in further education or have a disability.

The amount you receive depends on your household income and the child’s age. For specific details on eligibility and payment amounts, check out the Portuguese Social Security department’s website to see what you qualify for.

Pension Benefits in Portugal

If you contribute to social security in Portugal, you’ll be entitled to a state pension upon reaching retirement age (currently 65 years old in Portugal).

The amount you receive is based on your average earnings and the number of years you’ve paid into the system—the longer you contribute, the higher your pension. Typically, pensions are calculated as a percentage of your final salary.

You also have the option of early retirement with reduced benefits or delaying retirement for a higher payout, depending on your contribution history.

Survivor Benefits in Portugal

Losing a loved one is never easy, but Portugal’s social security system provides financial support to help families through these difficult times.

To be eligible for a Survivor’s Pension (pensão de sobrevivência), the deceased must have been earning and making social security contributions for at least 36 months. If so, they will be entitled to the following support:

Spouses can claim up to 70 percent of the deceased’s expected pension.
Descendants (children or dependents) can claim between 20 and 40 percent, depending on their relationship to the deceased.
Families will receive a lump sum death grant. The rate in 2025 is €1,567.50.

These benefits are designed to provide financial stability during a challenging period, ensuring that families can focus on healing rather than worrying about finances.

Health Insurance in Portugal

Portugal’s healthcare system is one of the most accessible in Europe, offering quality care to all residents, no matter where you’re from. You can access the public healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde – SNS) as soon as you’re registered with the Portuguese social security system. This covers a percentage of the costs for visiting a doctor, hospital treatments, and medical emergencies.

To get started, simply visit your local health center with your social security card, and you’ll be assisted further. Whether you’re looking for a doctor in Lisbon or have a medical emergency in the Algarve, you can rest assured you’ll be taken care of.

While the public system is robust and highly efficient, some expats choose to supplement it with private health insurance in Portugal. Private healthcare often offers shorter waiting times, more specialized care, access to more English-speaking healthcare professionals, and access to private facilities. It’s a popular option for those who want extra peace of mind and is reasonably priced compared to other Western European countries and the US.

If you’re self-employed or a freelancer in Portugal, the social security system works a little differently for you. Here’s what you need to know.

Self-employed workers typically pay social security Portugal contributions at a rate of 21.4 percent of their income.

Contributions are calculated based on your quarterly income declarations, which are submitted in January, April, July, and October.
Payments must be made between the 10th and 20th of the following month.

Exemptions for self-employed and freelance workers:

If your average monthly income (over a quarter) is less than four times the value of the social wage (€870 in 2025), you may qualify for an exemption.

Other exemptions are available for specific situations, such as invalidity or if you’re already receiving a pension. To learn more about exemptions and how to apply, check out the Portuguese public services portal.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, everything you need to know about social security Portugal. Paying into the social security system ensures you’re covered for benefits like sickness pay, maternity leave, and a pension when you retire.

It’s all about giving you the support you need to thrive as a self-employed professional and fully settle into the way of life in Portugal.

Social security contributions in Portugal are typically around 11 percent of your salary for employees and employers will add between 22.3 percent and 34.75 percent. Self -employed workers in Portugal usually pay social security contributions at a rate of 21.4 percent of their income.

Yes! The US and Portugal have a bilateral agreement, so you can receive your US Social Security benefits while living in Portugal.

The agreement allows for the transfer or combination of social security contributions, ensuring you don’t lose your entitlements when moving to Portugal from other countries.

For example, periods of insurance, work, or taxation in your home country can count toward your entitlements in Portugal.

If you’re from an EU/EEA country or a country with a bilateral agreement, your social security contributions can often be transferred or combined with Portugal’s system.

Social security Portugal benefits include unemployment support, sickness and maternity benefits, child benefits, survivor benefits, and access to public healthcare.

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Unemployment Benefit in Portugal