3 to 6 months of essential expenses is the common guideline, wide enough to cover a typical job search. Lean toward 6+ months with variable or single-income households, and toward 3 with dual stable incomes.

🇵🇹 If you'd qualify for Portugal's unemployment benefit (subsídio de desemprego), it covers part of your income for a period tied to your age and contribution history, so a slightly smaller buffer can be reasonable. If you're self-employed (recibos verdes) or between contracts, that safety net is harder to access, so lean toward the larger end. Check current Segurança Social rules for the exact percentage and duration.