If you receive a pension, you may already have heard that some extra support is on the way. On 8 September 2026, the Government confirmed a new extraordinary pension supplement (suplemento extraordinário das pensões), to be paid in December, just in time for Christmas spending.
The measure repeats what happened in 2024 and 2025 and is expected to reach more than two million pensioners. However, some details will only be known once it has been approved by the Council of Ministers.
In this article, we have brought together what is already known and what is still to be confirmed, so you can calmly work out whether you are among those who will receive it.
Who is eligible
According to the announcement, the support is for pensioners with pensions of up to 1,611.13 euros, three times the Indexante dos Apoios Sociais (IAS), the reference value used to set social benefits, which in 2026 stands at around 537 euros.
An important point: the supplement is allocated per pensioner, not per pension. Anyone receiving more than one pension (for example, an old-age pension and a survivor’s pension) has the amounts added together to work out the total.
How much you can expect to receive
The final figures have not yet been officially confirmed, but if the pattern is the same as in previous years, the expected brackets are:
- 200 euros for pensions up to around 537 euros (1 IAS).
- 150 euros for pensions between that amount and around 1,074 euros (2 IAS).
- 100 euros for pensions between 1,074 and 1,611.13 euros (3 IAS).
To be clear: these figures are based on recent years and are still to be confirmed. Always check the amounts when they are officially announced.
When and how it is paid
The supplement is due to be paid with the December pension. Based on what happened in 2025, everything suggests the payment will be automatic, so you will not need to apply for it.
Even so, because the final rules have not yet been published, you should not make decisions based only on last year’s rules. Wait for the official information.
Watch out for the tax treatment
In previous years, this supplement had its own treatment for IRS (personal income tax). In 2025, for example, no tax was withheld at source, but the amount was taken into account in the IRS return.
As the rules may change, it is worth keeping proof of payment and, if you have any questions, checking with Segurança Social (Social Security) or an accountant.
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Where to check the official information
To keep up to date with the final rules, consult reliable sources such as the Segurança Social (Social Security) website and consumer protection organisations such as DECO PROteste. They update the figures as soon as they are published.
For many families, this supplement provides real relief during a month when expenses are higher than usual. If you receive a pension within the specified limits, there is a good chance you will receive it without any red tape.
The best thing you can do right now is to stay informed through official channels and avoid hasty financial decisions based on figures that are still provisional. If you are planning your retirement in the medium term, have a look at our guide to early retirement in Portugal.
Raquel Correia
