How to Apply for Sickness Pay in Portugal

Sickness Pay in Portugal is a social security benefit provided to workers who are temporarily unable to work due to illness (excluding occupational diseases). This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from eligibility conditions to benefit amounts and how to apply.

Who is Entitled to Sickness Pay in Portugal?

Category	Entitlement Condition
Employees	Must be temporarily incapable of work
Self-employed workers	Covered by social security and temporarily unfit for work
Scientific Research Fellows	Covered by the Voluntary Social Insurance Scheme

Eligibility Conditions

To qualify for Sickness Pay in Portugal, the following conditions must be met:

Certified temporary incapacity by competent health services.
Minimum 6 calendar months (continuous or not) of pay-slip registration.
At least 12 days of effective work with pay-slip registration within the previous 4 months (does not apply to freelancers).
No detention, unless the benefit was already being received at the time of detention.
Social security contributions must be up to date for freelancers or voluntary scheme members.

Maximum Period of Concession

Beneficiary Type	Maximum Duration
Employees	1095 days
Self-employed workers & Research Fellows	365 days
Workers with tuberculosis	No time limit

Waiting Period Before Payment

Beneficiary Type	Waiting Period
Employees	After the 4th day of incapacity
Self-employed	After 11th day
Voluntary scheme members	After 31st day
Exceptions (e.g., surgery, hospitalisation, tuberculosis)	From Day 1

Amount of Sickness Benefit

Standard Benefit Amount

Duration of Illness	% of Reference Earnings
Up to 30 days	55%
31–90 days	60%
91–365 days	70%
More than 365 days	75%

Tuberculosis Cases

Household Dependents	% of Reference Earnings
Up to 2	80%
More than 2	100%

Increased Benefit Amounts

If earnings are ≤ €500 or the household includes:

3+ children under 16 (or under 24 if receiving child benefits),
A dependent child with a disability, Then the benefit increases by 5%.

Duration	Increased % of Earnings
Up to 30 days	60%
31–90 days	65%

Limits to Benefit Amount

Limit Type	Value
Minimum	30% of daily Social Support Index (SSI): €5.23/day
Maximum	Net reference earnings (after tax and social security contributions)

SSI for 2025 = €522.50

How to Claim Sickness Pay in Portugal

Digital Certification: Health services send the Certificate of Temporary Incapacity electronically to Social Security.
Manual Certification: If manual, the doctor gives you a physical certificate.
- Must be submitted to your local Social Security office within 5 working days.

You may also be entitled to additional benefits for holidays and Christmas bonuses, so make sure to inquire further when applying.

Conclusion

Whether you're a freelancer or employed, understanding Sickness Pay in Portugal is crucial to protecting your income during illness. Make sure your social security is up to date, follow the right steps, and always get certified by a public health professional.

Need help applying? Our team at INLIS Consulting is here to assist you with Social Security claims and more, in English, German, French, Hindi, or Portuguese.