Social Security Benefits in Portugal

If you are thinking about moving to Portugal, you are probably wondering whether or not you will be entitled to claim any of the benefits that you are already receiving from the United Kingdom government

Social Security Benefits in Portugal

It is important to know that you will be unable to claim any of the Portuguese government benefits until you have actually paid into their social security system.

Receiving Social Security Benefits

It is important to know that you will be unable to claim any of the Portuguese government benefits until you have actually paid into their social security system. Still though, you will find that the payments made in Portugal are not going to match those that are given in the UK.

Jobseeker's Allowance

You may be able to continue to receive the Job Seekers Allowance if you have been normally claiming it for at least four weeks within the United Kingdom. You might be able to receive it for up to three months while in Portugal while you are looking for work.

But before you move to Portugal, you will want to speak with your local JobCentre Plus office within the UK of your intentions to look abroad for work. You want to do this well in advance of your departure date.

Your local JobCentre Plus office will let the Department of Work and Pensions and also the overseas Benefits Directorate. This is when it will be determined whether or not specific conditions were satisfied and then they can send you the E303 form before you leave. This is the form that will secure your unemployment benefit payment in Portugal and it should be taken straight to the Portuguese employment service, Centro de Empregos, as soon as possible once you have arrived in Portugal.

UK Sickness Benefit

You can possibly transfer payment to a different Member State should you be the recipient of the UK Sickness Benefit. Contact your local Social Security office, Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office within the UK for additional information.

In the leaflet "Health Advice For Travelers", you will find additional information. There is also a downloadable version available through the Department of Health's website.

Social Security Benefits

You will find that your social security rights within Portugal are the same as the social security rights you have elsewhere within the EEA. You contribute to the Portuguese social security system when you work in Portugal and therefore, you have earned full benefit rights.

If you ever find yourself unemployed in Portugal, you will want to contact the local Centro do Emprego and the CRSS office as well.

Ministério do Emprego e Segurança Social

(Ministry of Employment & Social Security)

Praça de Londres 2

1000 Lisbon

Portugal