[REVISION HISTORY]

Portugal unified social benefit rollout

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-28 14:22 UTC → 2026-09-08 16:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026, Portugal advanced a major overhaul of its welfare system. On 27 July, parliament passed Law No 36/2026, authorising the creation of the Prestação Social Única (PSU), a single non-contributory benefit designed to replace 13 existing programmes, including the Rendimento Social de Inserção (RSI), unemployment subsidies, and various non-contributory pensions such as widowhood and invalidity. By 30 July, the Council of Ministers approved the decree-law setting the PSU reference value at €268.6 (50% of the Indexante dos Apoios Sociais). While the government earmarked an extra €30 million annually to fund the programme, opposition parties and the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP-IN) criticised the reform, warning it could be “globally less favourable” for beneficiaries. In mid-August, political opposition intensified as the left-wing parties Livre, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), and Bloco de Esquerda (BE) united to request a parliamentary appreciation of the decree-law. ~~By combining their seats, they met the ten-deputy threshold required to trigger this constitutional mechanism, which could lead to the alteration or termination of the law.~~ Critics specifically highlighted concerns regarding the asset threshold, noting that households with movable assets exceeding €32,227 will be ~~excluded, a figure significantly higher than earlier proposals of approximately €16,000. As the transition approaches,~~ excluded. By early September, the ~~PSU is designed~~ reform's objectives were framed as a means to ~~be automatic for most current beneficiaries,~~ reduce fragmentation, simplify administration, and better link financial aid with ~~safeguards intended~~ professional reintegration and social monitoring. The PSU aims to ensure ~~they do not receive lower amounts than under previous regimes. However, eligibility requirements include~~ minimum resources for households to meet basic needs. Eligibility for those aged 18 and older requires registration as a job seeker and ~~participation in~~ availability for social solidarity activities. ~~While most active job seekers may be required to~~ Most beneficiaries must perform up to 15 hours of social work per week, while young people aged 18 to 25 who are neither working nor studying may be required to complete up to 20 hours per week. The changes are scheduled to take effect on 31 December 2026.

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