The debate on keeping qualified employees in Portugal continues

In Portugal, the average monthly gross basic wage in the second quarter of 2026 was recorded as 1,342 euros. Even though wage indicators are rising, the conditions that will enable qualified employees to stay in the country continue to be discussed.

The fact that qualified employees in Portugal are heading abroad is not only reflected in immigration statistics; It continues to be one of the persistent issues addressed along with discussions on pay, career opportunity and cost of living.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the average monthly gross total wage in the country reached 1,835 euros in the second quarter of 2026. During the same period, the average gross basic wage was calculated as 1,342 euros and the regular wage as 1,436 euros. These indicators increased by 5.1 percent in nominal terms compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

However, average wage data does not alone show the income of each occupational group or the working conditions of qualified employees. One of the main topics of the "brain drain" debate is how employees, especially in fields such as technology, health, research and engineering, compare wages in Portugal with job options abroad.

According to PORDATA's indicator based on INE data, Portugal's gross migration rate was 7.1 per thousand in 2024. This ratio shows the level of people going abroad compared to the total population; Since it does not contain details about the education level or professions of immigrants, it should not be considered as the size of skilled migration alone.

For this reason, it is not enough to look only at the general wage increase for qualified employees to stay in the country. Factors such as sector-based wages, professional advancement opportunities and cost of living need to be monitored together.

PTNewsHub review

The average gross basic wage in the second quarter of 2026 was 1,342 euros. It seems difficult to stop the brain drain at such low salary levels; The wage level, especially for qualified employees, is one of the important factors in the decision to stay in the country. However, average wage data alone does not explain the conditions of each occupational group or the scope of skilled migration.

Sources reviewed

INE – wage statistics

PORDATA – gross migration rate

Image source / license