Paying 100% sick leave for cancer patients would cost the state 14 million euros

A study by the Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC), carried out by Forvis Mazars, estimates that raising the sickness allowance to 100% for cancer patients would increase Social Security spending by 34 million euros to 517.4 million euros. Factoring in an estimated 20 million euros in increased state tax revenue from consumption, the net impact on the state budget would be 14 million euros, or 1.4% of total sickness allowance spending. The study highlights that current sick leave rules cause severe income loss, particularly for lower-income workers, during long treatments lasting over 12 months.