From “vouchers” to “present” in the salary: The favorite news of the week

• Vouchers for windows or heating systems are coming: For who?

The Minister of the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, revealed on Monday that about 28,000 economically vulnerable families who could not enjoy the Efficiency Valley began to be contacted for the assignment of the “vouchers”. After all, to whom are they intended and what do they cover?

The governor said that “the process was simplified” in order to dispense with the intervention of the technical facilitator, a figure created for the implementation of that program financed by the Environmental Fund.

According to the minister, the new Efficiency Valley platform will be opened at the end of November so that the 28,000 families with approved applications can confirm their interest, receive their “vouchers” and exchange with suppliers who have joined the program.

• It is official: IRS goes down to the first six echelons, see the new fees

It was published this Wednesday in Diário da República the decree-law that reduces the rates of the IRS up to the sixth step, as had already been announced by the Government. This relief will be felt in the November salary – we explain how in this article. 

“ In line with the strategy and commitments made by the XXV Constitutional Government, a further reduction in the income tax of natural persons (IRS) occurs by reducing the rates applicable to the first six income steps. The reduction applies to incomes obtained in 2026, taking effect since 1 January. Due to the progressive nature of the tax, it benefits not only taxpayers whose income falls within the categories covered, but also taxpayers of the higher levels, in relation to the share of income subject to the now reduced rates”, can be read in the Executive document. 

• Attention, pensioners: It is known when the pension bonus falls into account

The pension bonus will be paid to Social Security pensioners on December 7, according to the payment schedule disclosed by the public body on its official website. The Government had already said that the extraordinary supplement would be paid in December, along with the pension, but it was not yet known for sure what day it would be. 

The payment of the December pensions of pensioners of the General Pensions Fund (CGA) will take place on the 18th of next month, according to the information also on the website of that body. 

In the decree-law published in Diário da República it could be read that the “supplement is paid together with the pensions of December 2026, without need of request from the beneficiary”.

• Explainer. How will the new support for the purchase of electrics work?

minister of Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced a new support for the purchase of electric vehicles, which will be aimed at economically more vulnerable families. On Tuesday, he gave more details on how the program and the News to Minutes brought together the key points: 

• Don't forget: Salary this month comes with “present” (but attention!)

salary and pensions paid in November will be more filled, since the government decided to reduce the retentions at the source this month, to reflect already on the family portfolio the reduction of the IRS. However, you should know that several experts have already warned of a subsequent impact on the reimbursement of the IRS next year.

“ Following the approval by Parliament of the new reduction of the IRS, with effect from 1 January 2026, the Government decided to reduce the withholding tax on labour income and pensions paid during the month of November, including the Christmas allowance due that month,” the Executive announced in a statement. 

This decision, he said, “occurs so that the families will immediately benefit from this descent and will not have to wait for the IRS to settle next year”.