By the end of 2025, there were 45,000 more foreigners contributing to Social Security compared to the end of the previous year
Lisbon, July 03, 2026 — The average contribution per foreign worker to Social Security rose 34% between April 2024 and April 2026, the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security revealed this Friday.
Based on the latest annual data, contributions from foreign workers to Social Security increased by 18% between 2024 and 2025.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the office overseen by Minister Rosário Palma Ramalho highlights what it describes as "results that reflect an effort towards regulated immigration, which contributes sustainably to the country's development."
In terms of the number of people, a positive migration balance continued to be observed, with 45,000 more foreigners contributing to Social Security at the end of 2025 compared to the end of the previous year .
According to the newspaper Expresso , the number of immigrants leaving the Social Security system will increase by 66% in 2025.
Last year alone, the Social Security Institute recorded the cessation of activity of 162,252 immigrants who were employed and who did not re-register, meaning that they left the country or remain but in an illegal situation.
The trend is across virtually all origins, with the cessation of registration with Social Security increasing in 51 of the 59 nationalities represented.