Portugal's New Single Social Benefit (PSU) Explained and Immigration Residency Rules Tightened

The Portuguese government is advancing the Prestação Social Única (PSU), a unified social benefit that will replace existing schemes such as the unemployment subsidy and the Rendimento Social de Inserção. The reform consolidates 13 subsidies, pensions and supplements into a single, non‑contributory program.

Parliamentary debate has focused on the residency requirement for foreign nationals to qualify for the PSU. The PSD has proposed extending the minimum residence period from one year to up to five years, a demand backed by Chega. The governing minority must negotiate with opposition parties to secure approval. Beneficiaries and members of their households who are of working age and unemployed will be required to perform up to 15 hours per week of solidarity work to receive the benefit. A new confidential channel for reporting fraud or abuse of the PSU is also being introduced.

The legislation is progressing without a formal vote, with parties split on the proposal.