Foreigners living in Portugal contributed more than they received from Social Security . In the first eight months of this year, the immigrant community paid contributions of more than 2 billion euros, a new historical high. The amount received was only 380 million euros.
This is a positive balance of more than 1.8 billion euros . Since 2021, contributions from immigrants in Portugal have been increasing .
The data, comes from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and reveals that the main foreign taxpayers are from Brazil . They represent 35% of the total and have paid more than 800 million euros since the beginning of the year until August.
This is followed by India , with almost 145 million euros , and Nepal , with 93 million .
Then come the citizens of Cape Verde , who contributed 83 million euros , and those of Spain , who gave 70 million euros to Social Security .
Looking at contributions by areas of activity, these foreigners are employed, above all, in agriculture, catering and commerce .
Indians work most in agriculture, while Brazilians work most in commerce and catering, as well as in administrative activities. Nepalese work mainly in accommodation and Cape Verdeans in construction. Spaniards occupy scientific and technical consultancy positions.
Social Security has already registered, in 2024, a new history of contributions from foreigners .
More than a million citizens have residence permits in Portugal and the contributions they make to the social security system have been among the highest ever.