The unemployment benefit, currently at its lowest recipients since October 2024, is paid to individuals without work, but there are several conditions that must be met to access it.
Initially, it’s important to note that this aid is a “monthly cash payment for unemployed individuals registered at the employment center or Employment Service at the Employment and Professional Training Centers (henceforth referred to as Employment Service) to compensate for the loss of salary due to involuntary job loss,” according to Social Security.
In a practical guide on the subject, Social Security outlines that one has the right if all of the following conditions are met:
- Reside in Portugal;
- Be involuntarily unemployed;
- Have the capability and availability to work;
- Be registered at the employment center nearest to the residence;
- Apply for the benefit within 90 days after becoming unemployed;
- Have a valid residence permit or other authorization allowing for an employment contract, if foreign;
- Possess a valid temporary protection title if a refugee or stateless person;
- Have had a job with an employment contract;
- Have terminated the employment contract due to domestic violence, presenting the victim status;
- Not currently work (if working part-time as an employee or independently, partial unemployment benefit may be available provided the salary or relevant income is lower than the unemployment benefit);
- Not work, whether paid or unpaid, at the company that issued the dismissal that granted the unemployment benefit, or at affiliated companies;
Note: The annual income of self-employed individuals is calculated according to the Contributory Regimes Code of the Social Security System. It corresponds to 70% of the total value of services provided or 20% of the income from the production and sale of goods, and services in hospitality, catering and beverages, from the previous year. - Meet the qualification period, meaning having at least 540 days of salary registration in the last 36 months before becoming unemployed, applicable to contract teachers contributing to the General Retirement Fund and Social Security system for employed workers, only for unemployment protection purposes. If fewer days were worked, social unemployment benefit may be available; Decree-Law No. 67/2000, of April 26
- Meet the qualification period, having at least 12 months (360 days) of salary registration in the last 24 months before becoming unemployed;
Note: To complete this period, if necessary, salary registration periods from the self-employed regime may count, provided the respective contribution rate includes unemployment protection.
The number of unemployment benefit recipients increased by 0.8% in June compared to the previous year, but decreased by 3.5% from May, reaching 181,002, the lowest level since October 2024, according to GEP data.
Lusa | 15:48 – 21/07/2025
