Portugal Investment Immigration detailed Portuguese Law: Recently, there have been frequent reports of some Chinese residents in Portugal temporarily losing their jobs for various reasons, leading to financial difficulties. In fact, as long as they are formally included in the Portuguese social security system and have a legal status here, residents can reasonably and legally apply for corresponding social insurance assistance, provided they meet a series of specific requirements. To help our friends in Portugal understand their rights and protections, we will provide detailed information in this and the next issue of our column.
Portugal's social insurance system has three programs for unemployment benefits: unemployment allowance; unemployment social assistance (for first-time unemployed individuals); and unemployment subsidy (for those who are forced to accept casual work and are partially unemployed). The purpose of these aids is mainly to help workers covered by the social insurance system during the economic loss period of unemployment.
So, who is eligible for this right? The beneficiaries are as follows: workers residing in Portugal who are registered with the social security bureau can apply for unemployment benefits if they lose their jobs passively; recipients of disability allowances (individuals who are unable to work in any professional field and are certified as incapable of labor by professional assessment). When the beneficiary is a foreign citizen (for example: Chinese residents in Portugal), they must hold a valid residence permit or any other document that allows them to work legally in Portugal to be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.
Necessary conditions for applying for unemployment benefits: 1) Hold a valid employment contract; 2) No available job opportunities; 3) Possess basic work capabilities; 4) Be passively unemployed; 5) Register at the local employment center; 6) Have a record of receiving wages for more than 450 days in the two years prior to unemployment or at least 180 days in the 12 months prior to unemployment (only applicable to first-time unemployed individuals).
The amount of unemployment benefits: The daily allowance for unemployment benefits is 65% of the reference salary. For example, if the reference salary is 420 euros/month, then the daily benefit amount is: (420/30 days) x 65% = 9.1 euros. How is this reference salary calculated? The formula is R/360 (R: the total salary earned in the 12 months prior to the second month before unemployment, including holiday and Christmas allowances). Portuguese law clearly states that the minimum amount of unemployment benefits must not be lower than the social minimum wage or the reference salary; the maximum amount of unemployment benefits must not exceed three times the social minimum wage.
How to apply? Those wishing to apply for unemployment benefits should submit their application within 90 days from the date of unemployment in one of the following two ways: 1) Apply at the local employment center; 2) Apply online. It is important to note that before submitting the application for unemployment benefits, it must be confirmed that the individual is registered at the local employment center; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. The necessary documents for the application include: 1) Employer's declaration to prove the true situation of the unemployed individual and the date of unemployment; 2) Unemployment benefits application form or directly fill out the application on the Seguran;a Social website; in this case, the employer's declaration can be scanned and submitted online.
