Brazil Unemployment Benefit Calculator (2026)
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Seguro-desemprego is Brazil’s unemployment insurance for formally employed workers dismissed without cause. This calculator applies the official Ministry of Labor table effective January 11, 2026 — a floor of R$1,621.00 per installment, a cap of R$2,518.65, and the 3-to-5 installment rules set by Law 7,998/1990 as amended by Law 13,134/2015.
Who qualifies and how the benefit works
The benefit is available to workers under a CLT employment contract who are dismissed without just cause. It is not available to people who resign, are fired for cause, or leave through the mutual-termination agreement of CLT article 484-A. Contractors working as PJ (through their own company) are outside the scheme entirely, which is a common surprise for expats hired on contractor terms in Brazil.
Payment is made in monthly installments, is exempt from income tax, and carries no social-security deduction — the amount calculated here is the full amount that reaches the bank account. The trade-off is that months spent on the benefit do not count toward retirement contribution time.
The claim must be filed between the 7th and the 120th day after dismissal, through the Carteira de Trabalho Digital app, the gov.br portal, or in person at a service unit. Missing that window forfeits the claim.
2026 benefit table
The installment amount is based on the average of the last three gross monthly salaries before dismissal. The table is reindexed every January — for 2026 it rose 3.90%, matching Brazil’s 2025 INPC inflation index.
| Average of last 3 salaries | Installment formula | Resulting amount |
|---|---|---|
| Up to R$2,222.17 | 80% of the average | R$1,621.00 – R$1,777.74 |
| R$2,222.18 – R$3,703.99 | R$1,777.74 + 50% of the excess over R$2,222.17 | R$1,777.74 – R$2,518.65 |
| Above R$3,703.99 | Flat maximum | R$2,518.65 |
How many installments you get
Between three and five, depending on how many times you have claimed before and how many months of formal employment you can prove within the 36 months preceding dismissal. First claim: 4 installments for 12–23 months, 5 for 24 months or more, with a hard minimum of 12 months. Second claim: 3 installments for 9–11 months, 4 for 12–23 months, 5 for 24 months or more. Third claim onward: the minimum drops to 6 months, which pays 3 installments, then the same 4 and 5 tiers apply.
The practical maximum in 2026 is therefore 5 × R$2,518.65 = R$12,593.25. Extra installments exist only under exceptional CODEFAT resolutions for municipalities hit by declared natural disasters.
What can interrupt payment
Starting a new formal job suspends the remaining installments. They are generally not lost — payment can resume if the new contract ends within the qualifying period, provided the worker reports the change to the Ministry of Labor. Receiving a continuous social-security benefit (with limited exceptions such as survivor’s pension and accident allowance) or holding an active company with pro-labore withdrawals also blocks the benefit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Brazil in 2026?
R$2,518.65 per installment, paid to anyone whose three-month salary average exceeded R$3,703.99. With the maximum of five installments, the total reaches R$12,593.25.
Is the benefit taxed?
No. Seguro-desemprego is exempt from income tax and carries no INSS social-security deduction. The calculated figure is the net amount received.
Can I claim it if I resigned or agreed to a mutual termination?
No. Only involuntary dismissal without just cause (or court-recognized constructive dismissal) qualifies. Resignation, dismissal for cause, and the CLT article 484-A mutual agreement do not.
Does it apply to contractors or foreign workers?
It applies to anyone with a formal CLT contract in Brazil, including foreign nationals with a valid work authorisation. It does not apply to PJ contractors, MEI holders, or anyone paid outside the Brazilian payroll system.
Sources
Based on the official seguro-desemprego table effective January 11, 2026 (Law 7,998/1990 and CODEFAT Resolution 957/2022) and the installment rules of Law 13,134/2015. Reference estimate only — eligibility and final amounts are determined by Brazil’s Ministry of Labor and Employment.
Related calculators
Also available in Portuguese: Calculadora de Seguro-Desemprego 2026