In the State Budget for 2026, the possible increase in the minimum wage was left out despite the intentions of the left, with different ways of achieving it. Luís Montenegro, shortly before Thursday’s general strike, floated the idea of 1600 euros, but without committing to dates and after being irreducible in Budget negotiations, even on pensions. He mentioned the target of 1100 euros by the end of the legislature.
In this sense, the PCP continues and forwards the discussion, taking this Wednesday, December 10th, to Parliament a draft resolution that establishes the goal of increasing the minimum wage from 920 euros to 1050. The debate had contributions from PSD, Livre, Bloco and PAN.
“Increasing salaries is an emergency in our country. The cost of living has been increasing very significantly. And, in fact, in our country there remains an option for a policy based on low wages, and this, naturally, has […] it even worsened the lives of thousands of workers in our country and their families”, said Paula Santos, communist parliamentary leader.
The PCP’s proposal, for an increase of 130 euros in 2026, is the most ambitious. It establishes exactly the same parameters defended by the CGTP. The Bloc advances with the idea of 1020 euros, which Mariana Mortágua, deputy, considered to be justice to “reduce social inequalities.”
Livre advances with the suggestion of increasing 45 euros in 2026, with “the commitment to reach 1250 euros in 2029”. In this case, it would exceed by 150 euros the amount that Montenegro said was possible for the end of the legislature.
In the PAN, “the general increase in the cost of living and growing wage inequality” justifies the increase. Inês de Sousa Real defended a 25 euro annual improvement supplement, which would put the value at 945 euros in 2026, reaching 1130 in 2029. The PAN emphasizes the importance of a 5% growth rate in the average salarya point that raises the sensitivity of the Government, which is also concerned, defend the PSD deputies, with ensuring the balance of levels.
Given the unavailability of negotiations, it is unlikely that the minimum wage will advance in the near future. The PS, before the May elections, aimed for a minimum wage of 1,110 euros by the end of the legislature, while Chega defended reaching 1,150.