> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.baseflow.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.baseflow.io/portugal/guide-to-freelancing-in-portugal/social-security-contribution-as-a-freelancer-in-portugal.md).

# Social Security Contribution as a Freelancer in Portugal

Freelancers under the simplified regime (which is the most common) pay 21.4% to social security on 75% of their income. You must pay this yourself between the 10th and 20th of the following month.

#### You are exempt from paying social security in your first 12 months as a freelancer in Portugal.

Social security in Portugal is a system that assures basic rights to citizens. Contributing to social security is mandatory and guarantees the following benefits: unemployment allowance, retirement pension, sickness benefit, parental allowance, and more.