What is IRS Jovem?
The IRS Jovem, a specialized tax regime, aims to reduce the income tax burden for young workers. Its primary objective is to increase the net income of young professionals in the initial years of their careers, allowing them to achieve greater financial independence and stability.
This program offers partial or total tax exemptions on earned income for a maximum period of 10 years. It applies to both employees (Category A income) and self-employed individuals (Category B income). The tax exemption allows young workers to keep a larger portion of their earnings, making Portugal an appealing destination for young professionals, including expats.
Initially limited to young people with higher education qualifications, the program is now open to all workers under the age of 35, regardless of their education level.
Why was IRS Jovem introduced?
Portugal has been actively working to retain its young workforce while attracting qualified international professionals. The IRS Jovem program was introduced as part of this strategy to:
- Support Early-Career Professionals: By reducing taxes in the critical early years of a career, the program increases disposable income.
- Encourage Financial Independence: The program incentivizes young adults to leave their parents’ households and file independent tax returns.
- Attract and Retain Talent: Especially post-2025, the program is designed to attract not only local workers but also immigrant expats who can contribute to Portugal’s economy.
If you’re moving to Portugal as an expat, IRS Jovem could be an excellent opportunity to ease your financial transition and enjoy lower taxes.
Who can apply for the Youth IRS in Portugal?
The IRS Jovem program is open to a broad range of individuals, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: You must be 35 years old or younger by December 31 of the tax year.
- Tax Status: For tax purposes, you must no longer be considered a dependent.
- This means you must file an independent tax return (declaração de IRS), even if you continue living with your parents.
- Income Sources:
The program applies to earnings from:
- Category A income: Salaries from traditional employment.
- Category B income: Self-employment income, including freelance or independent work (recibos verdes).
Self-employed workers must, however, wait to claim the benefit during their annual tax return rather than receiving it monthly.
- Regularized Tax Situation:
Your tax obligations must be in excellent standing with the Portuguese Tax Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira).
Exclusions:
- Benefit (or have benefited) from the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) regime.
- Participate in the Programa Regressar (Return Program for Portuguese nationals).
- Benefit from tax incentives for scientific research or innovation.
What are the benefits of IRS Jovem in Portugal?
Tax exemption rates in Portugal
Under the IRS Jovem (Youth IRS) regime, you’ll receive progressive tax exemptions on your income over a 10-year period:
- Year 1: 100% tax exemption on eligible income.
- Years 2–4: 75% tax exemption.
- Years 5–7: 50% tax exemption.
- Years 8–10: 25% tax exemption.
This means that in your first year of work in Portugal, you could potentially pay zero income tax, significantly increasing your take-home pay. Over time, the percentage of exemption decreases, but the program still offers substantial savings.
Income limit
The exemption applies to income up to 55 times the Indexante dos Apoios Sociais (IAS). For 2026, the IAS is €537.13, meaning the maximum annual income eligible for exemption is €29,542.15.
