Labour Compensation Fund (FCT)
The deadline to reclaim the money held in Portugal's Labour Compensation Fund (FCT) ends on 31 December 2026. The FCT has been converted into a closed fund: any amount not reclaimed by the end of this year will be permanently lost and revert to the State. After this date, your company loses all rights to this capital.
Where you can spend this money. By law, the reclaimed funds must be applied to one of these specific purposes: professional training (funding certified qualification for employees); housing (supporting workers' housing costs); social structures (supporting expenses with company nurseries or canteens); and severance (paying up to 50% of contract termination compensation). Training is the most common use.
Professional training requirements. Training must be delivered by a DGERT-certified training entity or by officially recognised education establishments. The course must aim to improve the employability and increase the qualifications of employees. The training process must be registered on the SIGO platform and result in a Professional Training Certificate.
Required documents to prepare. To avoid the refund request being rejected, depending on the chosen purpose: a Declaration of Commitment signed by management attesting compliance with the rules and prior consultation with workers; invoices or quotes for the expenses with training, housing or social structures; proof of the company bank account IBAN; and, for severance, a copy of the termination agreement or the dismissal notice.
How to request the refund in 4 steps. Go to the official site www.fundoscompensacao.pt; authenticate with your Segurança Social Direta credentials; check your company's accumulated balance; submit the request. Companies with balances up to 400,000 euros can make up to two withdrawals; higher amounts up to four. Validation and processing can take several weeks, so do not leave it to the last minute.
Formação 40 Horas is the training brand of Quirónprevención Portugal, a DGERT-certified entity, with SIGO registration and issuance of a Professional Training Certificate. We prepare a training plan eligible for the FCT refund and help with the required documentation. Request a free, no-commitment quote by calling 210 317 300.
Frequently asked questions
Until when can I reclaim the FCT?
The deadline to reclaim the money held in the Labour Compensation Fund ends on 31 December 2026. The FCT has been converted into a closed fund: any amount not reclaimed by that date is permanently lost and reverts to the State.
What can I spend the FCT money on?
By law, the reclaimed funds must be applied to professional training, workers' housing, social structures such as nurseries or canteens, or to pay up to 50% of contract termination compensation. Professional training is the most common use.
Does the training have to be certified?
Yes. Training must be delivered by a DGERT-certified training entity or by officially recognised education establishments, aim to improve the worker's employability, and be registered on the SIGO platform, resulting in a Professional Training Certificate.
Which documents do I need to prepare?
Depending on the purpose: a Declaration of Commitment signed by management, invoices or quotes for the expenses, proof of the company's IBAN and, for severance, a copy of the termination agreement or the dismissal notice.
How do I request the refund?
Go to www.fundoscompensacao.pt, authenticate with your Segurança Social Direta credentials, check the accumulated balance and submit the request. Companies with balances up to 400,000 euros can make up to two withdrawals; higher amounts up to four. Validation can take several weeks.