When it comes to compulsory professional training, many companies still only think about the 40 hours stipulated in the Labour Code. However, the legal reality in Portugal is much more demanding.
Currently, mandatory training extends to multiple critical areas related to safety, ethics, data protection, and public health, creating a true ecosystem of training compliance.
In this article, we explain which training courses are mandatory in addition to the 40 hours and why they cannot be ignored.
Occupational Health and Safety: an ongoing duty
Occupational Health and Safety legislation requires that workers receive training appropriate to the risks of their job.
This includes, among others:
- First aid;
- Firefighting;
- Evacuation;
- Correct use of work equipment.
Training in occupational health and safety:
- It should preferably take place during working hours;
- It cannot result in loss of remuneration;
- It is mandatory regardless of the 40 hours per year.
The absence of training in this area may be considered an administrative offence, with increased fines.
Prevention of harassment and equality at work
Companies with seven or more employees are required to:
- Have a Code of Conduct for the prevention of harassment;
- Disseminate it internally;
- Train workers and managers on abusive behaviour, bullying and sexual harassment.
At the same time, legislation on equal pay and non-discrimination requires:
- Raising awareness among teams;
- Training of managers and human resources;
- Ability to demonstrate preventive practices in the event of an audit.
Training in these areas is increasingly seen as a criterion for social responsibility and governance (ESG).
GDPR: training as proof of responsibility
O Regulamento Geral sobre a Proteção de Dados não define horas mínimas de formação, mas impõe o princípio da accountability.
In practice, this means that companies must prove that:
- Employees who handle personal data have received training;
- There are regular awareness-raising activities;
- There are documented records of this formation.
In the event of a data breach, a lack of training is an aggravating factor in fines.
Mandatory training in regulated sectors
In some sectors, training is a prerequisite for operating legally:
- Food hygiene and safety (HACCP) – mandatory for food handlers;
- Transport – CAM/CQM training for drivers;
- Work equipment – specific training for forklifts, cranes or industrial machinery.
These training courses are not eligible for public funding, as they are direct legal obligations of the employer.
Public support: where it can (and cannot) help
Measures such as Cheque-Formação + Digital help to finance strategic training, especially in digital skills.
However, it is essential to know that:
- Legally compulsory education cannot be funded;
- Only training provided by certified entities is eligible;
- Legal non-compliance excludes companies from other future support.
Mandatory training in Portugal is no longer just about clocking up hours. It is an integrated system of legal, ethical and operational risk management.
Companies that structure training plans aligned with:
- SST,
- GDPR,
- equality,
- and sectoral requirements,
not only avoid fines, but also build more resilient, secure and sustainable organizations.
