The Prime Minister once again raised the salary bar for the coming years, admitting that the national minimum wage could reach 1600 euros, as long as the Portuguese economy grows more robustly. The proposal, which far exceeds the targets previously mentioned by the Government itself, reopens the political debate on the country’s economic ambition and comes at a time marked by labor tensions and wage demands.
According to Diário de Notícias, Luís Montenegro made these statements during the closing of the X National Congress of Social-Democratic Mayors, where he stressed that economic growth will be decisive for any increase of this size.
Economic growth as a central condition
According to the same source, Montenegro insisted that Portugal should abandon modest growth targets and aim for values closer to 3 or 4 percent per year. The Prime Minister argued that only with this acceleration will it be possible to support a significant increase in wages, including the idea that the minimum wage could reach 1500 or even 1600 euros, exceeding the initial objective of reaching 1100 euros during the legislature.
The explanation presented by the PSD leader is based on a simple principle, according to the same publication: without wealth created, there is no capacity for a more generous redistribution.
Average salary is also included in the calculations
Montenegro’s goals are not limited to the minimum wage. The government official also defended that the average salary should rise to values between 2500 and 3000 euros, a threshold that represents a significant jump compared to current levels.
According to Diário de Notícias, Montenegro admitted that the day before it had spoken in more modest numbers, in the order of 2000 or 2500 euros, but has now chosen to reinforce the desired horizon for the country. The message made clear the intention of presenting a framework of economic ambition capable of differentiating Portugal in the European context.
Political reactions and criticism from the opposition
The announcement provoked an immediate response from the opposition. According to the publication, José Luís Carneiro accused the prime minister of offering a promise that was difficult to fulfill, classifying the statements as an attempt to deflate the impact of the general strike.
For the PS secretary general, the reference to 1500 euros minimum wage would act as a “carrot” to calm labor tensions. The political exchange reflected the sensitivity of the issue, at a time when several union organizations are reinforcing salary demands for 2026.
Government guarantees confidence in the economic trajectory
Montenegro rejected the criticism and stated that the country has successively exceeded the established economic targets. According to the same source, the prime minister recalled that both in 2023 and 2024 the budget forecasts were exceeded, insisting that there is room to maintain this trend.
The government official believes that, within a year, his words “will make even more sense”, maintaining that economic growth could allow salary levels to be reached today seen as unlikely.
What is really at stake
In essence, the prime minister opened the door to one of the biggest salary reviews in recent decades, but conditioned on economic performance. The ambition places the debate on a different level: the possibility of a minimum wage exceeding 1500 euros implies not only growth, but a structural transformation in the country’s productivity and competitive capacity.
According to , this vision will be developed throughout the legislature, in a context in which the Government intends to define a course of greater economic and social robustness until 2029.
Also read:
