The government announced an increase in the military mission allowance by 300 euros

The government announced this Friday, after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, an increase in the military mission allowance by 300 euros per month, which is in addition to the 100 euros that the military already receives. The increase will be phased: an additional 200 euros will be allocated this year, 50 in 2025 and 50 in 2026.

Nuno Melo, the Minister of Defence, believes that the military allowance is “not a trifle” and that the state is “obliged to compensate” the military for this condition.

“In 115 days we have done what has not been done in 15 years,” said Nuno Melo.

In terms of living costs, the government will now use a distance of 50 kilometres as a benchmark, compared to 100 kilometres previously.

The defence minister also said the air service allowance would be “aligned with the first rank of captain” with a “significant increase”. The cost of food allowance would be increased by 20%.

Two new supplements will also be created: one for those working with explosives, worth €303, and one for those working with hyperbaric chambers, worth €436. Both will come into force on 1 January 2025.

The Council of Ministers also decided to introduce special compensation in case of permanent disability or death in service.

The death benefit amount is “250 times the value of the guaranteed minimum monthly wage,” while the cost of permanent disability benefit “ranges from 150 to 250 times the value” of that minimum wage.

The government will also exempt former combatants from paying for medication.

Nuno Melo clarified that “in the case of mental illnesses” medications will be reimbursed at 90% “regardless of age”.

The Minister of Defence added that “what is being invested in the Armed Forces is not an expense, but an investment”, specifying that the effect of the increase and new additions “will be no less than 120 million euros”.