- C = Tax from the penultimate year, net of the deductions referred to in paragraph 1 of article 78.º, except for the deduction provided for in subparagraph i)
- R = Total withholding taxes levied in the penultimate year on income from category B; RLB = Positive net income from category B in the penultimate year
- RLT = Total net income in the penultimate year
Exemption from PIT and Social Security on productivity bonuses, performance bonuses, profit-sharing and balance sheet bonuses
Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 provides for an exemption from PIT and Social Security for productivity bonuses, performance bonuses, profit-sharing and balance sheet bonuses, which are awarded voluntarily and on a non-regular basis. The PIT exemption is applicable up to a limit of 6% of the employee's annual base salary, based on the criteria for applying the tax incentive for salary increases foreseen in article 19(B) of the Portuguese Tax Incentives Statute.
According to the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025, withholding tax should be levied on amounts paid as productivity bonuses, performance bonuses, profit-sharing and balance sheet bonuses at a rate corresponding to the monthly employment remuneration for the month in which those amounts are paid or made available. Indeed, the PIT exemption will only apply on an annual basis.
These amounts are also excluded from the Social Security contribution base, which is already the practice in several cases.
Social Security
Electronic Communication for Social Security purposes
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 mandates that interactions between Social Security and other stakeholders, including beneficiaries and applicants for European funds, will primarily be conducted electronically. This initiative aims to streamline and modernize the notification process.
To achieve this, whenever individual taxpayers or other entities request assistance or clarifications through "Segurança Social Direta," the Social Security Services are allowed to communicate via the electronic system, including disseminating decisions. Corporate entities will receive notifications exclusively through the Social Security electronic notification system. This allows the General Directorate of Local Municipalities to send electronic notifications to local sector entities within their functions without needing prior consent.
Information exchange and data protection
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 states that Social Security Authorities can obtain information electronically from entities such as the Portuguese Tax Authorities (PTA), the Institute of Registries and Notaries, I.P., and the Portuguese National Bank, to administer benefits and prevent fraud. The following information is specified to be provided:
- Categories of income
- Reported values
- Tax situation
- Composition of the household
- Tax records information
- Exercise of parental authority
- Identification of the head of the deceased beneficiary's household
- Existence of immovable and movable property subject to registration.
Nonetheless, the safeguarding of personal data is imperative in all information exchange processes. These activities will be regulated by specific protocols designed to enhance risk management.
Extraordinary pension update
In 2025, the Government will proceed with an extraordinary update of pensions, effective from 1 January 2025, as follows:
- An increase of 1.25 percentage points will apply to the regular annual pension update rate, to be carried out in January 2025.
- This applies to disability, old-age and survivor pensions granted by the Social Security and retirement, pension and survivor pensions under the convergent social protection scheme, granted by CGA, IP, amounting to up to three times the IAS (i.e., €1,567.50, considering the IAS in force for 2025).
Extraordinary pension supplement
In 2025, the Government will implement an extraordinary pension supplement payment, contingent upon the progression of budget execution and corresponding trends in revenue and expenditure.
Value Added Tax
Following the discussion and final approval of the State Budget Law Proposal for 2025, the following provisions related to VAT have been maintained and/or added to the final version of the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025:
Confirmation of the extension of the VAT exemption applicable to the sale of fertilizers, soil improvers and products that fall under the category of feed for animals intended for human consumption
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 foresees an extension until 31 December 2025 of the VAT exemption applicable to the sale of the following:
- Fertilizers and soil improvers
- Products that fall under the concept of animal feed, regardless of the breed or purpose of the animals during their lifetime, provided the animals are intended for human consumption.
Confirmation of the equivalence of PDF invoices to electronic invoices until 31 December 2025
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 extends the equivalence of invoices in PDF format to electronic invoices until 31 December 2025 for all purposes provided for in tax legislation.
Confirmation of the extension of the total or partial VAT refund
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 establishes the extension of the total or partial refund of the amount equivalent to VAT to the Regional Civil Protection Service, IP-RAM, and to the Regional Civil Protection and Firefighters Service of Azores, as well as to the entities holding forest fire brigades, which are part of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais), when they are unable to exercise the right to deduct VAT, in respect of movable equipment directly intended for the pursuit of their respective purposes, including the services necessary for the equipment's conservation, repair and maintenance.
Extension of the right to deduct VAT on expenses incurred with bicycles (velocípedes), with or without a motor
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 establishes that the exclusion of the right to deduct VAT incurred on expenses related to the acquisition, manufacture or import, leasing, use, transformation, and repair does not apply to bicycles (velocípedes), with or without a motor.
The Portuguese State Budget for 2025 gives an interpretive nature to the new wording of article 21 (1) of the VAT Code, which identifies the derogations to the right to deduct VAT.
Extension of reduced VAT rate
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 foresees the extension of the scope of two items in List I annexed to the Portuguese VAT Code:
- Item 2.10: extension of the reduced rate to utensils and other equipment exclusively or primarily intended for rescue operations, acquired by the following entities: Regional Civil Protection Service, IP-RAM, Regional Civil Protection and Firefighters Service of Azores, municipalities and intermunicipal entities
- Item 2.32: extension of the reduced rate to bullfighting shows
Reduced VAT rate — addition of item 1.14 to List I annexed to the Portuguese VAT Code
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 includes the addition of item 1.14 to List I annexed to the Portuguese VAT Code, which provides for the application of the reduced VAT rate to food products intended for infants and young children, including formulas, as well as foods for special medical purposes and total diet replacements for weight control, in accordance with Regulation (EU) no. 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 12 June 2013.
Excise Duties (IEC)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 does not establish any general increase of the current rates already in place in terms of Excise Duties (IECs).
Excise duty on alcohol, alcoholic beverages and beverages containing added sugar or other sweetening matter (IABA)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 provides for the extension until 31 December 2025, of the application of 25% of the current standard rate, specifically applicable as for liqueurs and "crème de," as well as, for distilled spirits and fruit brandies, in accordance with and under the characteristics foreseen by the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EC) no. 110/2008, of 15 January 2008, provided they are exclusively made from arbutus berries (Arbutus unedo), produced and distilled within specific municipalities, such as Albufeira (freguesia de Paderne), Alcoutim, Alijó, Aljezur, Almodôvar, Alvaiázere, Ansião, Arganil, Barrancos, Castanheira de Pera, Castelo Branco, Castro Marim, Covilhã, Faro (freguesias de Santa Bárbara de Nexe e União das Freguesias de Conceição e Estoi), Ferreira do Zêzere, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Fundão, Góis, Lagos (freguesias de Odiáxere e União das Freguesias de Bensafrim e Barão de São J oão), Loulé (freguesias de Alte, Ameixial, Boliqueime, Salir, São Clemente e São Sebastião e União das Freguesias de Querença, Tôr e Benafim), Lousã, Mação, Mértola, Miranda do Corvo, Monchique, Moura, Odemira, Oleiros, Ourique, Pampilhosa da Serra, Pedrógão Grande, Penacova, Penamacor, Penela, Portalegre, Portel, Portimão (freguesias de Mexilhoeira Grande e Portimão), Proença-a-Nova, São Brás de Alportel, Sardoal, Seia, Sertã, Silves, Tavira (freguesias de Cachopo, Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, União das Freguesias de Tavira (Santa Maria e Santiago) e União das Freguesias de Conceição e Cabanas de Tavira), Vila de Rei, Vila do Bispo e Vila Velha de Ródão.
Excise duty on tobacco (IST)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 foresees changes in the taxation of cigarettes by eliminating, for the purposes of calculating the total minimum reference tax, in place for each year, the references to the national average taxation and to the European average taxation.
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 also revokes the method for IST calculation currently applicable to the cigarettes resulting from the "weighted average taxation by the introductions for consumption of the Member States of the European Union."
Thus, the Portuguese Budget Law for 2025 foresees that the total minimum reference tax on cigarettes, in force by each year, shall be the sum resulting from the product of the tobacco tax rates (specific and ad valorem elements) and from the Value Added Tax (VAT) to the cigarettes national weighted average price.
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 also determines the application to cigarettes of a 50% minimum taxation rate as applicable to cigars sold at the weighted average price of cigarettes.
Excise duty on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISPE)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 maintains the gradual elimination of harmful exemptions for petroleum and energy products classified under combined nomenclature codes (NC) codes 2710 19 62 up to 2710 19 67, and NC 2710 20 32 and NC 2710 20 38, used within the production of electricity, electricity and heat (cogeneration), or city gas on Portugal mainland, taxing them at a rate corresponding to 100% of the ISPE rate and with a rate corresponding to 100% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions surcharge.
During 2025, products classified under NC codes 2707 99 99 (new), NC 2710 19 43 to 2710 19 48, NC 2710 20 11 to 2710 20 19, NC 2710 19 62 to 2710 19 67, NC 2710 20 32, and 2710 20 38, consumed in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Autonomous Regions of Madeira, used in the production of electricity, electricity and heat (cogeneration), or city gas by entities whose main activity is these activities, will be taxed at a rate corresponding to 100% (previously 75%) of the ISPE rate and a rate corresponding to 100% (previously 75%) of the CO2 emissions surcharge when used and consumed on Portugal mainland.
Products classified under NC code 2711, used in the production of electricity, electricity and heat (cogeneration), or city gas by entities whose main activity is these activities, except those used in the autonomous regions, will continue to be taxed at a rate corresponding to 50% of the ISPE rate and a rate corresponding to 50% of the CO2 emissions surcharge.
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 also establishes that during 2025, energy products classified under NC codes 2701, 2702, 2704, 2713, and 2711 12 11, and fuel oil with a sulfur content equal to or less than 0.5%, classified under NC codes 2710 19 62 and NC 2710 19 66, used in installations subject to an energy consumption rationalization agreement (ARCE), will be taxed at a rate corresponding to 100% (previously 65% of the CO2 emissions surcharge).
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 determines that all energy products covered by the elimination rule used in installations covered by the European Emissions Trading Scheme (CELE), including those covered by the Optional Exclusion provided for in CELE, are not subject to the CO2 emissions surcharge.
Furthermore, the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 establishes that the taxation rates percentages provided do not apply to biofuels, biomethane, green hydrogen and other renewable gases that can benefit from an ISPE tax exemption.
On a transitory basis, the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 provides that, during 2025, colored and marked diesel can still be consumed by vehicles used by forestry sapper teams that are part of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System, in accordance with the formalities and procedures applicable to the recognition and control of the benefit, as defined by a decree issued by the members of the government responsible for finance, internal administration, forests and energy.
Vehicle Tax (ISV)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 introduces the application of a 25% rate at the level of intermediate rates already applicable to passenger vehicles registered in another EU Member State of the European Union (EU) (between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020), equipped with plug-in hybrid engines, whose battery can be charged through an electrical grid connection and has a minimum electric mode range of 25 kilometers.
Regarding used vehicles with definitive community registrations assigned by other EU Member States, the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 eliminates, for the calculation of the ISV due, by reference to Table D, in the displacement and environmental components, the criteria of the remaining average useful life of the vehicles.
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 also provides for the elimination of the payment of a prior fee (as defined by Government Order) to be borne by taxable persons who believe that the amount of tax assessed in respect of used vehicles exceeds the amount of ISV applicable, calculated by applying the current calculation formula, maintaining the need to apply to the director of customs for the new and amended calculation formula to be applied to the taxation of that same vehicle.
According to the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025, the aforementioned calculation formula applicable to the taxation of these vehicles for settlement has been changed: ISV = (V/VR) x Y + (1-U/UR) x C.
Support for farmers, aquaculture producers and fishers
The increase applicable to subsidies for the use of colored and marked diesel by small farmers, holders or family farming status, with an annual consumption of up to 2,000 liters of €0.06 per liter of that fuel used in the respective activity, to be granted by the Government area of agriculture and food, remains in force for 2025.
With the Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025, the subsidy referred to in the previous paragraph will continue to be increased by €0.04 per liter for small farmers with family farming status.
Also in this context, a subsidy will continue to be granted in 2025 to small-scale and coastal fishermen, small-scale aquaculture producers and seal salt extraction companies, who are thus entitled to the following subsidies:
- A subsidy on the number of liters of petrol consumed in their activity, equivalent to that resulting from the reduction in the rate applicable to diesel consumed in fishing activities
- A subsidy on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumed in the respective activity, equivalent to that resulting from the reduction in the rate applicable to diesel consumed in fishing activities
The criteria for identifying beneficiaries, determining the amount according to the number of tides and fuel consumption and the procedures for granting subsidies are defined by decree of the members of the government responsible for finance and agriculture and food.
Vehicle Circulation Tax (IUC)
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 does not establish any general increase in terms of the IUC rates.
The new law provides for the maintenance of the additional IUC for diesel vehicles falling under categories A and B, during 2025.
Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT)
Update of the brackets of RETT rates
The Portuguese State Budget Law for 2025 revises the brackets of the taxable basis over which RETT is levied upon the acquisition of an urban property or an autonomous fraction of an urban property allocated exclusively for own and permanent residence, corresponding to an update of 2.3%, as follows: