What is the Payroll Cost in Portugal?

The employer cost is generally estimated at 26.9% of the employee salary:

  • Social Security - 23.75%: This includes unemployment or sickness, pregnancy pay, and family benefits.
  • Labor Accident Insurance - 2.95%: Also know as "workers compensation insurance" ("acidentes de trabalho") is mandatory for employers to cover employee injuries on the job, including medical costs and lost wages.
  • Work-From-Home ("Telework") Allowance - €50
  • 13th month salary - 1/12 of 1 month basic salary 
  • 14th month salary - 1/12 of 1 month basic salary
  • Mandatory meal allowance - €6 per working day


Please be advised that the 13th and 14th month salaries are distributed to employees in monthly instalments and counted towards the total annual income, with standard social security deductions applied.

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