Over the weekend, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro promised that the 2026 State Budget (OE2026) will feature a new increase in the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI), and, if there is surplus, a mid-year supplement will again be provided to the lowest pensions.
Who is eligible for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly?
The CSI is a monthly monetary support provided to low-income elderly individuals aged 66 years and 7 months or older, residing in Portugal.
According to Social Security, these are the eligibility conditions:
- Resources must be below the CSI limit value
- If married or in a common-law relationship for over two years: The couple’s resources must be less than or equal to 13,244.00 euros annually, and the applicant’s resources must be less than or equal to 7,568.00 euros annually.
- If not married or in a common-law relationship for over two years: Individual resources must not exceed 7,568.00 euros annually.
- Reside in Portugal for at least 6 consecutive years at the time of application (see frequently asked questions – specific conditions for those whose last job was outside Portugal).
- Eligible CSI recipients include holders of:
– Old Age or Survival Pensions older than the normal age for accessing the general social security pension
– Disability Pensions of the general scheme without being recipients of the Social Inclusion Benefit - Have not accessed Social Pension due to income exceeding the limit of 209.00 euros for individuals or 313.50 euros for couples.
- Authorize Social Security to access tax and banking information (for both the applicant and the spouse/common-law partner);
- Be willing to apply for any other social security supports they are entitled to (both the applicant and the spouse/common-law partner).
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Notícias ao Minuto | 08:30 – 25/03/2025
The increase details are yet to be disclosed
“When we took office, it was approximately 550 euros. We first increased it to 600, then to 630, and by October 10, the country will know how much we propose to increase it for the next year,” he said, referencing the OE2026 submission date, which coincides with the last day of the municipal campaign.
Moreover, he committed to a new supplement for the lowest pensions “if mid-year budget execution shows sufficient balance and surplus“.
“We will return part of what we are saving to those who are retired and have lower pensions,” he assured.
Montenegro emphasized that his government removed the consideration of children’s income for CSI entitlement, calling it “a great injustice”.
“As a result, today, roughly double the number of Portuguese with low pensions are benefiting from this solidarity supplement for the elderly,” he noted.
