Work Abroad in Portugal: A Practical Guide for Expats

Portugal has a reputation for slow mornings, ocean views, and affordable wine. And if you've ever been there, you know that it lives up to the hype.

But if you’re thinking about working in Portugal, not just vacationing there, it’s worth knowing the full picture: beautiful lifestyle, yes, but also modest salaries, complex paperwork, and a competitive job market (especially in Lisbon).

Let’s unpack what it’s really like to work and live in Portugal as a foreigner, from visas, job market, cost of living, working culture, and everything else you need to know before taking the leap.

Why Work in Portugal?

When people talk about moving to Portugal, they usually start with the weather or the waves. But beneath the surfboards and sunsets is a country that’s quietly building a strong, international job market, especially in tech, startups, and remote work.

Here’s why so many expats and EU citizens are choosing Portugal as their next career move:

• A growing economy for international talent: Portugal may not pay as much as Germany or the Netherlands, but it’s making up for it with opportunity. Lisbon and Porto are tech and startup magnets, hosting hubs for companies like Google, Mercedes, and Revolut. Shared service centers for global firms are expanding, too, creating demand for multilingual professionals. (Fun fact: In 2025, over 25% of Lisbon’s workforce operates in international or hybrid environments, and English is often the default language.)

  
  

• EU membership = easy relocation: If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you can move, live, and work in Portugal freely. You’ll just need to register locally once you’ve arrived. For everyone else, Portugal offers more flexible visa routes than most of Europe, including the Digital Nomad Visa and Tech Visa.

  
  

• Reasonable cost of living (outside Lisbon): Lisbon’s rent prices have skyrocketed, but head to smaller cities like Braga, Coimbra, or Aveiro, and you’ll find affordable housing, great food, and a slower lifestyle that doesn’t drain your wallet. Many expats report that they can live well on €1,800–€2,500/month outside the capital.

  
  

• Friendly, safe, and internationally minded: Portugal consistently ranks among the top 10 safest countries in the world, and it shows in daily life. People are polite, expat communities are active, and English is widely spoken in cities. You won’t feel like an outsider for long.

Okay, now that you know why it's worth working in Portugal, let's see how you can legally do it.

Work Visa & Eligibility Requirements for Portugal

The good news: Portugal wants international talent. Whether you’re a remote worker, a freelancer, or a full-time employee, there’s likely a visa category that fits.

Visa-Free Rules for EU/EEA Citizens

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you’re in luck. You can live and work in Portugal without a visa or work permit.

You’ll just need to:

• Register your address at the local city hall within 90 days of arrival.

• Obtain a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), your all-purpose tax ID required for housing, employment, and healthcare.

• Register for social security (Segurança Social) if you’re employed or self-employed.

  
  

Once that’s done, you can legally work and access healthcare just like locals.

Visa Options for Non-EU Citizens

If you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need a valid visa or residence permit to work legally in Portugal. Here are the main routes:

• Work Visa (Type 1): For professionals with a confirmed job offer from a Portuguese employer. The company applies for authorization on your behalf. Usually valid for one year and renewable.

  
  

• Digital Nomad Visa: Launched in 2022, this visa allows remote workers and freelancers to live in Portugal while working for companies abroad. You’ll need to show proof of at least €3,280/month in income (4× Portugal’s minimum wage), valid health insurance, and remote employment documentation. It’s valid for one year, renewable up to five years.

  
  

• Tech Visa: Aimed at highly qualified tech professionals joining certified Portuguese startups or innovation hubs. Employers apply for certification, making the process faster.

  
  

• Self-Employment Visa: For freelancers or entrepreneurs who can prove business activity, client contracts, and sustainable income. Processing time can range from 2–4 months.

  
  

• Job Seeker Visa: Introduced in 2023, this short-term visa lets you enter Portugal to look for work (valid for 120 days, extendable by 60). If you land a job, you can transition to a residence permit without leaving the country.

Always double-check with the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) or your local Portuguese consulate for the most recent updates. (You'll notice that rules shift frequently.)

Getting Sponsored by an Employer in Portugal

Employer sponsorship exists, but it’s less common than in Northern Europe. Most Portuguese companies prefer to hire EU citizens to simplify paperwork.

That said, sponsorship does happen, especially in tech, engineering, healthcare, and tourism. International firms and startups based in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga are used to onboarding foreign hires.

Top employers offering visa support include:

• OutSystems, Critical TechWorks, Mercedes-Benz.io (tech/engineering)

• Webhelp, Teleperformance, Fujitsu (customer experience & SSCs)

• BNP Paribas, Siemens, Accenture, Deloitte (finance & consulting)

How to Find a Job in Portugal as a Foreigner

Finding a job in Portugal takes patience. Hiring cycles can be slow, and many companies still prefer local applicants. But if you know where to look (and which roles are in demand), it’s absolutely doable.

Best Job Boards for English-Speaking Roles in Portugal

Here’s where to start your search:

• LinkedIn Jobs (Portugal filter): Still the most reliable source for international and hybrid roles.

• Expresso Emprego: One of Portugal’s largest local job boards, often featuring bilingual listings.

• Net-Empregos: The go-to for local roles, especially mid-level or administrative.

• Europe Language Jobs: Great for multilingual professionals in customer service, marketing, and sales.

• Hays Portugal & Michael Page: Agencies with English-speaking consultants and international clients.

• Landing.jobs: Focused on tech, startups, and remote work across southern Europe.

Top Industries for Foreigners in Portugal

Portugal’s job market is diverse, but certain industries are much more open to international talent.

Want to land a job in Portugal ASAP? Focus on these:

• Tech & Startups: Lisbon and Porto have become mini Silicon Valleys of southern Europe. Companies like Feedzai, OutSystems, Mercedes-Benz.io, and Defined.ai hire English-speaking developers, data analysts, and UX designers.

  
  

• Finance & Shared Service Centers: Global firms such as BNP Paribas, Siemens, and Fujitsu operate large multilingual offices in Lisbon and Porto. Roles in accounting, HR, procurement, and customer operations are frequently open to foreigners.

  
  

• Tourism & Hospitality: Portugal’s tourism sector remains one of its strongest employers. Hotels, travel agencies, and resorts in Lisbon, the Algarve, and Madeira hire seasonally. (Worth knowing: EU citizens can often land jobs within weeks.)

  
  

• Education & Language Programs: Teaching English continues to be one of the easiest ways for non-EU citizens to start working in Portugal. Private schools and academies in Lisbon and Coimbra frequently hire native or near-native speakers.

  
  

• Renewable Energy & Engineering: With heavy EU investment in green energy and infrastructure, Portugal’s solar and wind sectors are growing fast. Engineers, project managers, and sustainability consultants are in demand.

  
  

The Biggest Companies Hiring International Professionals in Portugal

If you’re serious about working in Portugal, start with companies like these. They already hire internationally and understand the relocation process, so you can skip awkward visa conversations.

Salaries, Taxes & Cost of Living in Portugal

If you’ve read glowing posts about “living in Portugal for €1,000 a month,” take them with a pinch of salt. (That might have been true five years ago, but not so much now.)

Portugal is still one of Western Europe’s most affordable countries, but prices have risen sharply, especially in Lisbon and coastal areas. Salaries, meanwhile, remain modest compared to the EU average.

That said, many expats say the trade-off between income and quality of life still feels worth it, especially if you earn above local averages or work remotely for an international company. Let's take a closer look at what to expect in terms of salaries, taxes, and cost of living.

Average Salaries in Portugal

Salaries depend heavily on your industry, experience, and location. Tech and finance pay best, while hospitality and teaching tend to lag behind.

Job offers are usually listed in gross monthly pay. To estimate your take-home, subtract roughly 20–25% for taxes and social security contributions.

Average Monthly Living Costs in Major Cities

If you earn around €2,500/month, you can live comfortably in Porto or Braga. In Lisbon, that same salary means budgeting carefully.

Tax Rates, Social Contributions & Employee Benefits

Portugal uses a progressive income tax system. Here’s what that looks like:

Social security: Employees contribute about 11%, and employers add roughly 23.75%.

Expats working under the Digital Nomad Visa may qualify for the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, offering 20% flat tax on Portuguese income and exemptions for certain foreign income for 10 years.

Employee benefits:

• Public healthcare through Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS)

• 22–25 paid vacation days per year

• 13th and sometimes 14th salary (summer + Christmas)

• Parental leave and family benefits aligned with EU standards

• Meal allowances or digital “lunch cards” common in larger companies

Working Culture & Lifestyle in Portugal

Here’s where Portugal shines. While salaries might make you blink twice, the work-life balance often makes up for it.

Portuguese workplaces blend Southern European warmth with quiet professionalism. People work hard but rarely glorify overwork. And the culture rewards humility and collaboration over ego.

Work Hours, Holidays & Leave Policies

• Standard workweek: 40 hours (Monday–Friday)

• Typical office hours: 9:00–6:00, with an hour lunch break

• Paid vacation: 22 days minimum, plus 13 public holidays

• August and late December: expect slower replies (many offices shut down completely for holidays)

Typical Employee Benefits

• Public healthcare automatically covered by social contributions

• 13th and 14th salary bonuses (Christmas + summer)

• Meal cards or vouchers worth ~€7–€10 per workday

• Training budgets and language courses

• Hybrid and remote options are increasingly available

• Maternity leave: 120 days at full pay, with extensions available

Work Culture, Communication & Management Style

If you’re used to the brisk pace of London or Berlin, Portugal will feel different — slower, friendlier, and sometimes a bit roundabout.

Here’s what to expect:

• Communication: Polite and relationship-driven. Expect greetings, coffee chats, and gentle small talk before diving into business.

• Hierarchy: Present but not rigid. Decisions take time, but teams are generally collaborative and inclusive.

• Punctuality: Meetings often start a few minutes late; flexibility is part of the rhythm.

• Feedback style: Indirect but constructive, people avoid confrontation and value diplomacy.

• Work-life balance: Strong. Once the day ends, people genuinely disconnect.

Portuguese colleagues are friendly but reserved at first. Bonds build slowly, but once you’re in, you’re really in. You’ll likely get invited to family meals, football matches, and Sunday barbecues before you know it.

Pros & Cons of Living and Working in Portugal

It's obvious that many people fall in love with Portugal for the sunshine, coastal cities, and pace of life. But like anywhere, it comes with trade-offs.

Once you understand how things actually work here, you can set realistic expectations and make smarter decisions about your move (or your next role).

Let’s take an honest look at the pros and cons of working and living in Portugal, based on what expats and remote workers share:

Key takeaway: Sure, bureaucracy can test your patience, and renting in big cities might sting. But on most days, you’ll finish work, step outside into the evening light, and realize that this is the life you moved for.

FAQs About Landing a Job in Portugal as an EU Citizen