TL;DR: Portugal has a universal child benefit (Abono de Família) available to all legal residents with children — the amount depends on household income and number of children. Tax deductions for education, childcare, and health expenses are available to all Portuguese tax residents filing an IRS return. Many expat families underestimate or miss these entitlements. The Cheque Dentista programme provides dental vouchers for children registered with the SNS. Total potential annual benefit for a typical expat family with two children: €500–€3,000+ depending on income level and expenses.
Abono de Família (Child Benefit)
Portugal’s universal child benefit is called Abono de Família. It is available to families legally resident in Portugal with children up to age 16 (or 24 if in full-time education). It is income-assessed — higher income families receive less or nothing; lower income families receive more.
The benefit is paid monthly by the Segurança Social (social security). In 2026, the monthly amounts by income tier are approximately:
| Income tier | Per child per month (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1st tier (lowest income) | €170–€200 |
| 2nd tier | €60–€100 |
| 3rd tier | €25–€50 |
| 4th tier (highest income) | €0 (not eligible) |
Most expat families with middle to upper incomes fall into the 3rd or 4th tier — the benefit is modest or zero. However, families with lower or moderate incomes (particularly those in the early stages of building income or transitioning jobs) may qualify for meaningful monthly payments.
How to apply: through the Segurança Social Direta portal (seg-social.pt) online, or in person at a Segurança Social office. You need: NIF for each family member, birth certificates for children, proof of residency, and income documentation. Apply as soon as your residency is established — benefits are not backdated beyond the month of application.
IRS Tax Deductions for Families
Portuguese tax residents filing an annual IRS return can claim significant deductions. These are not refunds of full costs — they reduce your taxable income or give a credit against tax due. Key deductions relevant to families:
Education expenses (Despesas de Educação)
- 30% of eligible education expenses are deductible, up to a maximum deduction of €800 per household (higher limits apply for larger families)
- Eligible expenses include: school tuition fees, school supplies, textbooks, uniforms (from registered schools), and after-school activities at registered providers
- International school fees qualify if the school is officially recognised — check your school’s registration status
- These expenses are captured automatically through the e-fatura system when you give your NIF at school — ensure your NIF is linked to all school invoices
Healthcare expenses (Despesas de Saúde)
- 15% of eligible healthcare expenses are deductible, up to €1,000 per household
- Eligible: doctor consultations, hospital visits, prescribed medications, dentistry, glasses and contact lenses (with prescription), private health insurance premiums
- Always give your NIF when paying for any healthcare — the expense is logged automatically in the Portal das Finanças e-fatura system
Childcare expenses (Despesas com Creches)
- Creche and pre-school fees paid to officially registered providers are deductible at 30%, with the same limits as education expenses
- Ensure your creche issues invoices with your NIF — informal childminder arrangements without invoices are not deductible
Dependent child deductions (Deduções por dependente)
- Each dependent child gives a fixed annual tax deduction — approximately €600 per child for the first and second child, higher for third and subsequent children
- Children up to age 25 in full-time education can be declared as dependants
Housing expenses
- Rent paid on a primary residence is deductible at 15%, up to €600 per year (higher limits for lower income households)
- Mortgage interest is also deductible for property owners
The Cheque Dentista Programme
Children registered with the SNS are entitled to the Cheque Dentista programme — dental vouchers covering routine check-ups and some treatments at participating private dentists. The programme runs annually — a new voucher (cheque) is issued each year and can be used at any participating dentist (dentistas convencionados com o SNS).
How to access: once your child is registered with the SNS, the cheque is issued automatically and linked to their Número de Utente. Ask at your Centro de Saúde if your child’s cheque hasn’t arrived — it may need to be activated.
The value: covers a routine dental check-up, cleaning, and some basic treatments. Saves €60–€150 per year per child — modest but worth using.
Maternity and Parental Leave
For parents employed in Portugal (by a Portuguese employer and contributing to Segurança Social):
- Maternity leave: 120 days at 100% of salary, paid by Segurança Social (not the employer)
- Shared parental leave: additional 30 days if shared between parents at 83% of salary
- Paternity leave: 28 mandatory days for fathers
For remote workers employed by a foreign company, parental leave entitlements depend on the country of the employer and the applicable social security agreement. This is complex — seek specialist advice if you’re expecting and working remotely.
How to Make Sure You’re Claiming Everything
- Always give your NIF at every purchase — supermarkets, pharmacies, schools, healthcare, restaurants. E-fatura captures these automatically for your IRS return.
- Check your e-fatura records on the Portal das Finanças before filing your IRS return — some invoices are miscategorised and need to be corrected manually.
- Use a Portuguese accountant for your IRS return — they know which expenses qualify and will ensure you’re claiming the maximum legally available.
- Apply for Abono de Família even if you think you earn too much — the income assessment is based on household income and the thresholds may be higher than you expect.
Benefit amounts, deduction limits, and programme details change annually with the Portuguese budget. Verify current figures at seg-social.pt and portaldasfinancas.gov.pt. This is orientation only — consult a qualified Portuguese accountant for advice specific to your situation.