In March 2026, unemployment benefits in Portugal had an average monthly value of 746.06 euros, according to data from the Summary of Statistical Information from Social Security. In that month, there were 157,544 beneficiaries of this support, a number that decreased by 1.8% compared to the previous month and 3.6% compared to March 2025. The average value represented a year-on-year increase of 8.2%. This is a contributory benefit aimed at compensating the involuntary loss of remuneration for workers who have met the required work periods and contributions.
In the same period, the Social Integration Income had an average monthly value of 159.43 euros per beneficiary. The difference between the two benefits was 586.63 euros per month. The RSI was intended for people and families in situations of extreme poverty, with 161,347 beneficiaries in March 2026, 11,100 fewer than in the same month of the previous year. The 78,984 families covered received, on average, 336.03 euros monthly, with almost one third of beneficiaries, 32.8%, being under 18 years old.
The two benefits have different natures and purposes. Unemployment benefit functions as temporary compensation for the loss of a salary, calculated based on the worker's previous remuneration, generally corresponding to 65% of the reference remuneration. In 2026, the maximum value was 1,342.83 euros and the general minimum was 537.13 euros. The RSI, on the other hand, functions as a guaranteed minimum income for households in situations of extreme poverty, calculated according to family composition and existing income, including a social and professional integration program.
For a single person, the RSI reference value in 2026 was 247.56 euros, with 173.29 euros considered for each additional adult and 123.78 euros for each minor. The benefit effectively paid corresponds to the difference between this reference value and the household's income. Therefore, the average of 159.43 euros per beneficiary falls below the 247.56 euro reference value, which does not mean that everyone receives this fixed amount. The direct comparison between the 746 euros of unemployment benefit and the 159 euros of RSI reflects benefits designed for very different social protection situations.
