This page gives you no figure. Portugal’s minimum wage changes every year and we do not print a number from memory. It tells you where the figure is published, how to read your recibo, and where to go when you are not paid.
Where your pay is written down
Salário Mínimo Nacional (Retribuição Mínima Mensal Garantida)
Portugal’s minimum wage is the salário mínimo nacional (in law, the retribuição mínima mensal garantida). The government sets it each year by decreto-lei, published in the state gazette, the Diário da República. [VERIFY] — we print no current figure; search the government portal for “salário mínimo nacional”. Remember it is for full-time work.
Reading your recibo de vencimento
Every month you should receive a recibo de vencimento. It is proof that you worked and for how much. Keep them; a PDF or a photo counts if you get nothing on paper.
| Remuneração base | Base pay. |
|---|---|
| Subsídio de alimentação | Meal allowance. A separate line, not part of base pay. |
| Horas extraordinárias | Overtime. If you worked extra and the line is empty, ask. |
| Descontos — Segurança Social | Your share of social security. If the line is missing you may not be registered at all. |
| Descontos — IRS | Income tax. |
| Líquido a receber | The net amount. This is what should reach your account. |
Segurança Social’s own online service lets you see whether your employer registered you and how many months are recorded. It is a check you can make yourself.
If you are not paid
You can claim unpaid wages even without documents. In Portugal work actually done is still owed, even where you have no residence permit. [VERIFY] — confirm the principle, any time limit and the procedure with a union such as CGTP or with the ACT; we print no period and no figure. At a CNAIM/CLAIM the advice is free and interpreters are available.
Where to get free help
- ACM — CNAIM / CLAIM — The state's support centres for migrants. Free, with interpreters.
- CGTP-IN — The main trade union confederation.
- ACT — Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho — [VERIFY] — we could not open the ACT's own site from our server, so the link is the government portal. The ACT is the labour inspectorate and a complaint can be filed with it.
- Segurança Social — Check here whether you are registered.
Severe exploitation and forced labour
Portugal has a dedicated state route for severe exploitation, forced labour and trafficking. [VERIFY] — we are not printing a number because we could not confirm it. In an emergency, call 112.
Common mistakes
- Not asking for the recibo. It is the first document in any claim.
- Assuming your employer registered you with Segurança Social. Check it yourself.
- Counting the meal allowance as part of your pay. It is a separate line.
- Deleting WhatsApp messages. Conversations about hours and money are evidence.
Next step
If the problem is documents rather than pay, check that whoever is advising you is on a register — and ask at a CNAIM first, for nothing.
Portugal: check your adviser before you paySources
Where you see [VERIFY] we have deliberately printed no figure or condition, because we could not confirm it against an official source. Check that point yourself on the official page below.
- gov.pt — the government portal
- ACM — CNAIM / CLAIM
- CGTP-IN
- ACT — Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho
- Segurança Social
Last verified: 2026-09-04
