Thousands of Portuguese pensioners living abroad will have to fulfill a new obligation to continue receiving their pension. The State will require mandatory proof of life every year. Those who do not do so within the deadline will have their payment suspended until the situation is regularized, according to Ordinance No. 274/2025, published in Diário da República on July 31st.
The measure applies to beneficiaries of old-age, disability and survival pensions under the general Social Security regime and will be implemented gradually. The objective is to reinforce control and ensure that pensions are only paid to those who are actually entitled.
How proof of life will work
According to the ordinance, the procedure must be carried out every year between May 1st and September 15th. In 2025, the obligation only covers pensioners residing in Switzerland and Luxembourg who are equal to or above the legal retirement age.
The following year, the process will be extended to residents of the Netherlands, Belgium, Cape Verde and the United Kingdom. From 2027, all Social Security pensioners living abroad will have to comply with this formality.
Deadlines and consequences for those who fail
In 2025, the deadline for presenting proof of life is November 30th. Anyone who fails to do so will see their pension suspended from January 2026. From 2026 onwards, the deadline will be fixed: September 15th of each year. Failure to comply will result in immediate suspension the following month.
According to the diploma, after the suspension, the pensioner will be notified and will have until October 15th to regularize the situation. If you do not do so, payment will remain suspended until the proof is delivered and validated. When the procedure is completed, the pension can be resumed retroactively to the date of suspension, explains the ordinance.
How to test your life
The Government has established three main ways of fulfilling the obligation. The first is digital, through Direct Social Security, with electronic authentication, facial recognition and presentation of the identification document.
The second option is in person, at Portuguese embassies and consulates, before Social Security attachés, or on national territory at Lojas do Cidadão, parish councils or Social Security services.
Finally, there is the documentary modality, which allows you to present an international certificate of proof of life or equivalent document issued by reputable entities, such as courts, notaries or local social security services. In either case, the process is free and the pensioner receives proof after validation.
Why this change
According to , the Portuguese State estimates that, due to communication failures between institutions, around 11 million euros in pensions were unduly paid to deceased people. The new proof of life system aims to avoid these situations, reinforce transparency and ensure that public resources are applied fairly.
The measure comes in a context in which Portugal seeks to align its control mechanisms with those of other European countries, where proof of life has already been an annual practice for several years.
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