How this works
This calculator estimates child benefit (abono de família) for 2026 using the amounts in Portaria no. 60/2026/1 and the €537.13 IAS. Your bracket depends on the reference income (household income divided by the number of children plus one), and each child gets an amount by bracket and age, with the majorações for single-parent and larger families.
- 1
Reference income
We add up the whole household’s annual income and divide it by the number of children entitled to the benefit plus one. It is this per-head figure — not total income — that sets your bracket.
- 2
Income bracket
Brackets are indexed to the IAS (€537.13 in 2026), over 14 months. 1st up to €3,759.91 (0.5×IAS×14); 2nd up to €7,519.82 (1×); 3rd up to €12,783.69 (1.7×); 4th up to €18,799.55 (2.5×). Above that is the 5th bracket, which gets nothing.
- 3
Base amount per child
Each child has a monthly amount that depends on the bracket and age. Children up to 36 months get a reinforced amount (€190.98 in the 1st bracket); after that it drops. In the 4th bracket the benefit is only paid up to 72 months.
- 4
Majorações (top-ups)
Single-parent families get an extra 50% on the benefit. Larger families get a fixed top-up per child up to 36 months, from the 2nd child onwards — higher with three or more children (for example, +€64.96 with two children and +€106.96 with three or more, in the 1st bracket).
- 5
Monthly total
We add up the base amount for every child, apply the majorações the family qualifies for, and get the monthly benefit. The benefit is paid 12 times a year.
Frequently asked
How is the reference income calculated?
You divide the whole household’s annual income by the number of children entitled to the benefit plus one — not by the number of adults or earners. More children lowers the per-head figure and can move you into a higher bracket (more benefit). All children count, even those left out because income passes the 4th bracket.
Who does not qualify for child benefit?
Households whose reference income exceeds the 4th-bracket limit (€18,799.55 in 2026) fall into the 5th bracket and receive nothing. There are also age conditions (as a rule up to 16, or 18/24 if studying) and residence/means conditions that this calculator does not check.
Why do children under 36 months get more?
The benefit was reinforced in the early years, under the "Garantia para a Infância" programme. Up to 36 months the base amount is much higher (€190.98 vs €75.13 in the 1st bracket) and it is this age band that the large-family top-up applies to.
My family is single-parent — how much more?
The single-parent majoração is 50% on the children’s benefit (1st to 4th bracket), applied on top of the other majorações as well. Note: 50% is the figure for child benefit; for the pre-natal benefit the single-parent majoração is 35%.
How often is it paid, and is the amount guaranteed?
The benefit is paid monthly, 12 times a year (unlike salaries in Portugal, usually over 14 months). The amounts are set each year by a portaria — the figures here are from Portaria no. 60/2026/1. This tool is an estimate and does not replace Social Security’s decision.
DISCLAIMER
An estimate for orientation, using the 2026 amounts (Portaria no. 60/2026/1) and the €537.13 IAS. It considers the reference income, the bracket, the amount by age and the single-parent (+50%) and large-family majorações. It does not check age, residence, means-test conditions or the disability bonus, and does not replace Social Security’s decision.