How much unemployment benefit will I get in Portugal?
| 65% of reference pay (with holiday and Christmas pay) | €910.00 |
| Maximum limit | €850.31 |
| Base duration | 420 days (about 14 months) |
How it was calculated
65% of your salary, with a minimum of €537.13 (or €617.70 if you earned at least the minimum wage) and a maximum of €1,342.83 or 75% of your net salary. How long it lasts depends on your age and months of contributions.
You usually need 12 months of contributions in the last 2 years, and you must have lost your job involuntarily. The final decision is made by Segurança Social (social security).
Example: you earned €1,500 gross a month, you are 45 and have 10 years of contributions. Including holiday and Christmas pay, your reference pay is €1,750, and 65% of that is €1,137.50. But the benefit cannot be more than 75% of your net pay, so it comes to about €1,020.98 a month. The base duration is 540 days, about 18 months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in 2026?
€1,342.83 a month, or 75% of net salary if lower.
How long do I need to have paid contributions?
Usually 12 months of contributions in the last 24 months.
Do I get unemployment benefit if I resign?
As a rule, no, because unemployment must be involuntary. There are exceptions, such as when the worker ends the contract with just cause, for example over unpaid wages, and some mutual termination agreements.
What is the deadline to claim unemployment benefit?
90 consecutive days from the date you became unemployed. You also need to be registered at an IEFP job centre (centro de emprego). If you claim later, you keep the right, but the days of delay are taken off the benefit period.
Is unemployment benefit taxed?
No. Unemployment benefit pays no IRS and no Segurança Social contributions. The amount worked out here has no further deductions. The time you receive it counts towards your pension, as if you had paid contributions.