By Hugo Ribeiro, Certified Accountant · Member of the Order of Certified Accountants · HVR Business Consulting
Introduction The sickness benefit is a provision granted by Social Security in Portugal to compensate for the loss of work income due to temporary incapacity for work. This article details the applicable rules and values for 2026, based on Portuguese legislation. Who is entitled to sickness benefit? To be entitled to sickness benefit, the worker must meet certain requirements, including a qualifying period of 6 months with recorded earnings (Article 18 of Decree-Law No. 28/2004). This period does not need to be consecutive. How to calculate the sickness benefit? The amount of the sickness bene…
Key Takeaways
Verify 6 months of contributions for eligibility.
Calculate benefit based on reference remuneration.
Observe 3-day waiting period for benefit start.
Submit CIT on time to avoid processing issues.
Keep Social Security contributions up-to-date.
FAQ
What is sickness benefit in Portugal?
It's a Social Security benefit compensating for lost work income due to temporary incapacity, with rules and values detailed in Portugal for 2026.
How is the sickness benefit amount calculated?
It's calculated based on the reference remuneration from the last 6 months and a replacement rate between 55% and 75%, depending on the duration and type of illness, according to Portuguese law.
What is the waiting period to receive sickness benefit?
There is a 3-day waiting period, except for hospital admissions or chronic illness. The benefit can last up to 1,095 days, according to Portuguese legislation.
Who is entitled to sickness benefit in Portugal?
Workers with at least 6 months of registered earnings in Social Security, not necessarily consecutive, are entitled to sickness benefit in Portugal.
What do I need to do to apply for sickness benefit?
You must submit the Temporary Incapacity Certificate (CIT) issued by an SNS doctor to Social Security. Ensure your contributions are up-to-date to avoid delays.