Portugal - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Portugal and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Portugal and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Portugal or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Portugal came into force on May 1, 1981.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Portuguese pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Portugal, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Portuguese old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Portuguese survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Portuguese benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Portugal will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Portugal's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider your periods of contribution to the Portuguese pension program as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Portugal after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Portuguese benefits
The Portuguese pension program covers all employed and self-employed persons. Coverage is voluntary for those not covered by any other contributory program.
To qualify for a benefit under the Portuguese pension program, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the Portuguese pension program for the minimum period, under the Agreement, Portugal will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and/or periods of residence in Canada after age 18, as periods of contribution to the Portuguese pension program.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Portuguese benefits:
- Portugal/Canada Agreement - Application for a Portuguese Old Age and/or Disability Pension (CDN-P1)
- Portugal/Canada Agreement - Application for Portuguese Death Benefits (CDN-P2)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
If you live in Portugal
If you live in Portugal and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Portugal/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-PRT)
- Portugal/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivors Benefits (ISP5054-PRT)
- Portugal/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-PRT)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Portugal, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 2710 Station Main
Edmonton AB T5J 2G4
Canada
Portugal’s social security
- Segurança Social [Social Security] (in Portuguese only)
Resources
- Agreement between Canada and Portugal with Respect to Social Security
- General overview of Portugal’s social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement between the Government of Canada and Portugal with Respect to Social Security and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.