At the close of the 2025 calendar year, the Portuguese Government published the statutory instruments setting the reference values for social protection and the conditions for retirement access. Below, we detail the impact of each regulation.
- Update of the Social Support Index (IAS) for 2026 – Ministerial Ordinance no. 480-A/2025/1
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- Background: The IAS is the benchmark value used to calculate benefits such as Unemployment Allowance, Social Insertion Income (Rendimento Social de Inserção – RSI), and tuition fees. Its annual update depends on the average GDP growth over the last two years and the average annual change in the CPI (inflation).
- Value for 2026: The IAS value is updated to €537.13.
- Relevance: This increase automatically raises the minimum and maximum thresholds for unemployment benefits and the exemption limit for healthcare user fees (taxas moderadoras). Consequently, as of January 1, 2026, the maximum unemployment benefit will rise to €1,342.83 per month.
- Normal Age for Access to Old-Age Pension in 2027 – Ministerial Ordinance no. 476/2025/1
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- Background: Under Decree-Law no. 187/2007, the normal retirement age varies according to the average life expectancy at age 65, as determined annually by the Portuguese Statistics Institute (INE).
- Value for 2027: The normal age for access to the old-age pension in 2027 is set at 66 years and 11 months.
- Note: Notwithstanding this change, the age already defined for 2026 remains (66 years and 9 months). However, it should be noted that the retirement age may be reduced through the “very long careers” regime or via special statutory regimes.
- Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) – Ministerial Ordinance (Portaria) no. 480-D/2025/1
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- Background: The CSI is a monthly cash benefit paid to elderly individuals with low financial resources. The reference value is crucial as it defines eligibility (the State pays the difference between the individual’s income and this benchmark).
- Reference Value for 2026: The CSI reference value is set at €8,040.00/year (corresponding to €670.00/month).
- Relevance: This instrument strengthens the fight against elderly poverty, allowing more pensioners with very low incomes to access this supplement and associated additional health benefits (free medication, etc.).
- Annual Pension Update (Social Security) – Ministerial Ordinance no. 480-B/2025/1
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- Background: Disability, old-age, and survivors’ pensions within the social security system are updated according to brackets defined by reference to the IAS.
- Update Values/Percentages:
- 80% for pensions equal to or less than €1,074.26.
- 27% for pensions above €1,074.26 and equal to or less than €3,222.78.
- 02% for pensions above €3,222.78.
- Pensions exceeding €6,445.56 are not subject to any update.
- Work Accident Pensions (2026) – Ministerial Ordinance no. 480-C/2025/1
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- Background: Updates pensions for permanent disability (partial or total) and death benefits resulting from workplace accidents or occupational diseases.
- Value: The update rate is 2.80%.