Portugal has announced adjustments to its retirement rules for 2025, raising the minimum age to 66 years and 7 months, impacting both Portuguese citizens and foreigners, including Brazilians, seeking pension benefits in the country. Managed by Social Security, the Portuguese pension system requires minimum contributions and offers advantages such as access to public healthcare and additional subsidies. Bilateral agreements with Brazil facilitate the combination of contribution periods, allowing Brazilians to use time worked in Brazil to qualify for retirement in Portugal. The change addresses the rising life expectancy and aims to ensure the system’s sustainability. For foreigners, the D7 visa is the main entry point for living legally as a retiree, requiring a minimum income of 820 euros monthly. This scenario increasingly attracts people seeking quality of life, safety, and stability in the European country.
Retirement in Portugal is a topic of growing interest, especially for Brazilians who see the country as an opportunity to enjoy a mild climate, efficient public services, and a cultural transition eased by the language. The updated rules for 2025 bring significant changes but also maintain benefits that make the country an attractive destination.
- Key requirements for 2025: minimum age of 66 years and 7 months and at least 15 years of contributions.
- Included benefits: access to the public healthcare system, Christmas and vacation subsidies.
- Support for foreigners: bilateral agreements allow combining contributions made abroad.
- D7 visa: essential for foreign retirees, with a minimum income requirement.
Updated retirement rules for 2025
Social Security, responsible for managing Portugal’s pension system, implemented gradual adjustments for 2025, raising the minimum retirement age from 66 years and 4 months to 66 years and 7 months. This change reflects the need to balance the system amid rising life expectancy, currently at 81.6 years in the country. For workers with long careers, over 40 years of contributions, early retirement is possible from age 60, though with penalties in the benefit amount.
Foreigners, including Brazilians, can benefit from the rules through international pension agreements. The agreement between Brazil and Portugal, in effect since 1995 and updated in 2013 and 2015, allows the totalization of contribution periods. This means time worked in Brazil can be added to time contributed in Portugal to meet the required 15-year minimum. For self-employed or voluntary contributors, the requirement is 12 years of contributions.
The pension amount varies based on contribution time and registered salaries. For example, those with 15 years of contributions receive a minimum of 320 euros monthly, while contributions over 31 years can secure up to 462.28 euros. These amounts are adjusted annually, and retirees receive 14 payments per year, including Christmas and vacation subsidies.
- Minimum age: 66 years and 7 months in 2025, with progressive increases.
- Minimum contribution: 15 years for the general regime, 12 years for self-employed.
- Early retirement: Available with over 40 years of contributions, with a reduced amount.
- Period totalization: Brazil-Portugal agreement allows combining contributions from both countries.
Benefits offered to retirees
Beyond the pension, the Portuguese system offers a range of benefits that make retirement appealing, especially for foreigners. Access to the National Health Service (SNS) is a major draw, ensuring consultations, exams, and hospitalizations at low or no cost. The quality of Portugal’s healthcare system is internationally recognized, making it a decisive factor for those choosing the country.
Retirees also receive additional subsidies, such as the Christmas subsidy, paid in December, and the vacation subsidy, paid in July, each equivalent to an extra month’s pension. For those with lower incomes, the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly provides additional financial support, helping ensure a decent standard of living.
Another significant benefit is the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) status, which, despite losing full tax exemption in 2024, still offers a reduced 10% tax rate on foreign pensions until March 2025. After that date, the new Scientific Innovation Tax Incentive will apply a 20% rate for specific activities, requiring careful tax planning.
- Public healthcare: Consultations and hospitalizations free or low-cost via SNS.
- Extra subsidies: Additional payments in July and December.
- Solidarity Supplement: Financial support for low-income retirees.
- Tax benefits: NHR offers reduced taxation until March 2025.
D7 visa: entry point for foreign retirees
For Brazilians wishing to live in Portugal as retirees, the D7 visa is the primary option. It requires proof of a minimum income of 820 euros monthly, equivalent to Portugal’s minimum wage in 2024. For couples, the amount rises to 1,230 euros, and each additional dependent requires 30% of the minimum wage. The application process must begin in Brazil, with documents such as proof of retirement, bank statements, and a criminal background check.
The visa is typically approved within 90 days, but requires planning, as the review may vary depending on the submitted documentation. After approval, the retiree must apply for a residence permit with the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) in Portugal. The process’s simplicity and the ability to use Brazilian retirement income make the D7 a popular choice.
- Minimum income: 820 euros per month for one adult, with increases for dependents.
- Required documents: Proof of income, passport, health insurance or PB4.
- Approval timeline: About 90 days, with a personal interview.
- Residence permit: Requested after arrival in Portugal via SEF.
How Brazilians can use contribution time
The pension agreement between Brazil and Portugal is a key advantage for Brazilians wishing to retire in the European country. It allows contribution time in Brazil to be counted toward meeting Portuguese requirements, such as the 15-year minimum. To do so, a Certificate of Contribution Time (CTC) from Brazil’s INSS, apostilled, and the PT-BR 4 Form, which can be submitted at the National Pension Center or via the Social Security Direct portal, are required.
However, the benefit amount in Portugal is proportional to the time contributed in the country. For example, if a Brazilian contributed 10 years in Brazil and 5 in Portugal, only the 5 Portuguese years are used to calculate the pension amount. In some cases, it may be more advantageous to continue receiving the Brazilian pension and transfer it to Portugal, paying 25% income tax in Brazil.
- Certificate of Contribution Time: INSS document proving work period.
- PT-BR 4 Form: Required to request retirement in Portugal.
- Taxation: 25% income tax in Brazil; in Portugal, up to 10% with NHR until March 2025.
- Planning: Consult experts to evaluate the best financial option.
Quality of life and Portugal’s attractions
Portugal stands out as one of the best retirement destinations, according to the 2025 Global Retirement Index, ranking the country second worldwide. Factors such as a mild climate, with over 300 sunny days per year, public safety, and a cost of living affordable compared to other European countries like France and Italy attract foreigners. Cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve offer diverse options, from vibrant urban centers to peaceful coastal regions.
Cultural proximity with Brazil, facilitated by the language, is also a differentiator. Approximately 7,527 Brazilians received INSS benefits in Portugal in 2024, totaling 12.2 million reais monthly. A 5% increase in foreign retirees over the past year reflects the country’s popularity. To ensure a smooth transition, experts recommend budgeting in advance, accounting for currency fluctuations and housing and healthcare costs.
- Mild climate: Over 300 sunny days in regions like the Algarve.
- Cost of living: 1,000 euros monthly suffice for a comfortable life.
- Safety: Portugal is one of Europe’s safest countries.
- Cultural proximity: Language ease for Brazilians.
Financial planning for retirees
Living as a retiree in Portugal requires careful planning, especially due to taxation and cost of living. Brazilian pensions transferred to Portugal are taxed at 25% in Brazil, and in some cases, additional taxation may apply in Portugal, depending on the tax regime. The cost of living in cities like Lisbon and Porto is higher, but regions like the Alentejo interior offer more affordable options, with rents starting at 500 euros monthly.
Purchasing property is a common strategy to reduce long-term costs. Additionally, maintaining an emergency reserve for medical or unforeseen expenses is essential. Platforms like Remessa Online facilitate transfers from Brazil to Portugal, offering competitive rates. Hiring private health insurance can complement SNS access, ensuring faster specialized care.
- Taxation: 25% income tax in Brazil; in Portugal, up to 48% without tax benefits.
- Cost of living: More affordable outside major cities, with rents from 500 euros.
- International transfers: Platforms like Remessa Online optimize costs.
- Private health insurance: Complements SNS for faster care.
