Portugal Social Security increases elderly support payments

Portugal's Social Security has begun payments for the Complemento Solidário para Idosos (CSI), a benefit designed for low-income pensioners. Recent government data indicates a significant increase in both the number of beneficiaries and the amounts distributed.

As of June 2026, approximately 245,500 people were receiving the benefit, marking the highest number since its inception. Between April 2024 and June 2026, the proportion of beneficiaries receiving more than 200 euros per month rose from roughly 32% to 54%. Additionally, one in five recipients received over 300 euros per month.

The expansion is attributed to an increase in the reference value, which rose from 550.70 to 670 euros since 2024, and changes to eligibility criteria, such as no longer considering the income of children when evaluating the benefit.