Portugal: jobs and pay

What is the minimum wage in Portugal?

Portugal's minimum monthly wage (retribuição mínima mensal garantida) is €920 from 1 January 2026, set by Decree-Law 139/2025 published in the Diário da República. Eurostat lists it as €1,073 a month for 2026.

The two figures differ because Portuguese workers receive 14 monthly payments a year, including holiday and Christmas pay. Eurostat spreads the yearly total over 12 months (€920 × 14 ÷ 12) so that countries can be compared. The amount is set each year by the government after consulting employers and unions.

Official sources: Diário da República: Decreto-Lei 139/2025 · Eurostat: Monthly minimum wages (earn_mw_cur)

What is the unemployment rate in Portugal?

Unemployment in Portugal was 5.7% in August 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to Eurostat. Among people under 25 it was 19.8%.

The rate follows the International Labour Organization definition: people without work who are looking for and available for a job, as a share of the labour force. Monthly figures are estimates from the labour force survey and are revised. The youth rate is a share of young people who are working or looking for work, not of all young people, many of whom are studying. The government expects the rate to fall from 5.8% to 5.7% in 2027.

Official sources: Eurostat: Unemployment by sex and age, monthly (une_rt_m) · Government of Portugal: 2027 budget proposal

What is the retirement age in Portugal?

The normal pension age in Portugal is 66 years and 9 months in 2026, according to the government services portal (gov.pt).

The age is not fixed: it is linked to life expectancy at 65 and is set each year by government order, so it can rise or fall. People with long careers can retire earlier without a penalty in some cases, and others can retire early with a reduced pension. The social old-age pension on the same page is a means-tested payment for people who have not paid enough contributions for a regular pension.

Official sources: gov.pt: Requerer a pensão social de velhice

What is Portugal's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Portugal was 1,073 EUR a month in 2026. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Portugal?

In 2025, average monthly earnings of employees in Portugal was $1,426 a month, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Portugal is 28th highest of 32. Worldwide: 30th of 57.

What is Portugal's unemployment rate?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Portugal at 6.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 16.2%; its low point was 2022, at 6.1%. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Portugal is 20th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 66th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Portugal?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Portugal was 20.2%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 38.5%; its low point was 2005, at 16.2%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Portugal placed 15th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 44th highest.

What share of people in Portugal are in the labour force?

58.2%: that is the labour force participation rate in Portugal for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 62.2% in 2007 and the low 56.8% in 2021. It is 30th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. Worldwide: 114th of 174.

How many women in Portugal are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 54.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 52.9% (2021) to 55.9% (2007). Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Portugal is 24th highest of 47. Worldwide: 82nd of 174.

What share of adults in Portugal have a job?

54.6%: that is the employment to population ratio in Portugal for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 57.3% in 2008 and the low 49.6% in 2013. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Portugal placed 31st highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 113th of 174.

How many workers in Portugal are self-employed or family workers?

9.7%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Portugal for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 28th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. World rank, highest first: 141st of 174.

What share of workers in Portugal earn a wage or salary?

85.6%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Portugal for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 22nd highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 36th highest.