How to find a job in Portugal

Finding work in Portugal as a foreigner can be daunting but crucial step in starting your life there. We’ll show you how to find a job in Portugal in this guide.

Ellie

6 minute read

·

15 Aug 2024

·

Working

Whether you’re drawn to the country’s laidback lifestyle, affordable living, or expat-friendly tax regimes, working and living in Portugal is the dream. To settle into your Portuguese lifestyle with ease, you’ll need to find a job in Portugal. In this guide, we’ll show you how to find your dream job in Portugal. Let's get into it!

Portugal’s job market has developed a lot in recent years, with many companies and start-ups opening offices in big cities like Lisbon and Porto. But before you apply for these tempting job opportunities, it’s important to know whether you can work in Portugal. Your potential employment status in Portugal depends majorly on your citizenship.

If you’re an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen

Finding a job in Portugal as a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland is a pretty straightforward. European citizens have the right to live and work in Portugal without a visa. If you decide to live and work in Portugal for longer than 3 months, you must register your address at the local town hall and get your residence certificate (Certificado de Registo).

If you’re a non-EU citizen

Non-EU citizens will have a more complicated journey to finding a job in Portugal. If you’re from a non-EU country, you’ll typically need a work visa to live and work in Portugal. Getting your work visa in Portugal requires you to secure a job before applying for your visa. To get a job before applying for your visa, you’ll probably need to be a highly skilled worker or work in an industry with a high demand in Portugal. The most common work visa is the Type I (Employment Visa), and the process can be time-consuming, so starting early is essential.

Finding a job as an expat in Portugal can be tricky, especially if you don’t speak the language. Certain industries will require some Portuguese fluency to get your foot in the door. However, in recent years, Portugal has invested greatly in modern industries such as technology, scientific research and engineering. These industries will typically cater to English speakers. They’ve even created a tax program to attract highly skilled foreign workers.

The Fiscal Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) is a lucrative tax program providing expats with a fixed income tax rate of 20% for up to 10 years. If you’re working in a relevant industry, you’ll be able to avail of this fixed tax rate. Industries that qualify for this tax program typically hire a lot of English speakers.

If your industry isn't one of the chosen ones to qualify for the IFICI, don’t worry! Portugal still has plenty of job opportunities in other industries that are in high demand, such as education, hospitality, and healthcare. While you mightn’t be paid a lot to work in these industries, the affordable cost of living in Portugal makes it worthwhile. Let’s look at some of the industries most in demand in the Portuguese job market.

Tourism and hospitality

Given its popularity as a tourist destination, there’s a constant demand for jobs in tourism and hospitality in Portugal. Jobs in hotels, tour guides, and restaurant or bar service are frequently available. The perk to working in this industry is you’ll often see job opportunities for both seasonal and full-time work, so you’re not tied to the job if you don’t want to be. However, many hospitality and tourism roles will require some Portuguese fluency.

Healthcare

Healthcare roles are consistently in high demand across Portugal. According to the WHO, Portugal’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Patient-centred care is a core principle of the healthcare system in Portugal, and as such, having a high number of healthcare professionals is necessary. Of course, working in healthcare in Portugal, you’ll most likely need to learn Portuguese so you can speak to patients and colleagues.

Engineering

Engineering is another industry with high demand in Portugal, particularly in civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering fields. As infrastructure projects and green energy initiatives grow, opportunities for engineers are becoming more in demand. As engineering is one of the rapidly growing industries and is very centred around the development of technology and scientific research, you’ll find more opportunities as an English speaker.

Education

With the growth in international schools and language institutes in Portugal, there’s a need for qualified teachers. In particular, there’s a demand for those who can teach English as a second language. Teachers with experience and qualifications will find ample opportunities in international and language schools in Portugal.

Now that you know what industries are looking for workers, you’ll need to know the best way to actually find a job in Portugal. Some of the best ways to find a job in Portugal include using online job portals, recruitment agencies, networking and using your expat community. Let’s look into each of these options.

Online job portals

Applying online is one of the most accessible ways to find a job in Portugal. If you’re a non-EU citizen, finding a job before you can apply for your visa is a requirement. Applying for jobs online allows you to secure your job so you can get started on the visa application process. Some of the best online job portals in Portugal are:

• Indeed
• Express Emprego
• Net Emprego
• Career Jet

You may also see a lot of companies listing job offers on their own websites. If you have a particular company in mind, checking their career page may be worth a shot.

Recruitment agencies

Another convenient way to find a job in Portugal is to register with recruitment agencies that work there. Recruitment agencies will help match you up to your ideal job in Portugal and save you the stress of checking whether your qualifications match. Some recruiters will even have access to job listings that haven’t been made publicly available, giving you an edge. As a non-EU citizen, using a recruitment agency is another great way to secure a job in Portugal so you can start the visa process. Popular recruitment agencies that work in Portugal include:

• Michael Page
• Hays
• Randstad

Networking

If you’re already in Portugal or plan to visit before moving, networking is an excellent way to find a job in Portugal. You can attend job fairs, industry events, seminars and meetups to connect with professionals in your industry. Even networking via LinkedIn is an excellent way to make connections in Portugal and help connect you with opportunities you may not have found otherwise. Use LinkedIn to join groups related to your industry and connect with people in similar positions. This will give you a headstart on your Portuguese job search.

Using your expat community

Thousands of expats live in Portugal, and the expat community is big and strong. Don’t be afraid to join online and in-person expat groups to meet like-minded people and make new connections in Portugal. Connecting with those in a similar situation can often help you find career opportunities, and you’ll be referred by someone who understands the expat journey. Expats living in Portugal for some time can also give you great insider tips to help your job search.

At the very least, you’ll make great friends with people similar to you. If you play your cards correctly, they may even help you secure a job in Portugal.

Once you’ve spotted a few job opportunities, it’s time to focus on your application and interview process. Here’re some tips to help you successfully get a job in Portugal.

• Apply to many jobs: The job market in Portugal can be competitive for non-natives, especially if you don’t speak Portuguese. The more applications you send, the higher chance you have of getting an interview.
• Format your CV to fit Portuguese custom: The expected CV format can vary quite a bit from country to country. Take a look at some Portuguese examples and adjust your CV accordingly.
• Be patient: The prospect of starting life in Portugal is so exciting, but patience is essential when looking for a job in Portugal. Remember that HR teams often receive hundreds of applications for one job so it can take a while to hear back from them. -Follow up: While being patient is crucial, showing your interest is also valuable when applying for jobs in Portugal. Don’t be afraid to follow up on your application if you don’t hear back in a few weeks, your interest may help you stand out! -Interview preparation: Before you go into your first job interview in Portugal, it’s a good idea to prepare some answers for your hiring manager. Think of instances where you’ve shown your skills, handled difficult situations well and adapted to a new environment. Working culture in Portugal is bound to be different from home, showing your adaptability will give you an edge in your interview.

Now that you’ve got all the insider knowledge you need, it’s time to get on with your job search in Portugal. Don’t forget the work visa process can be time consuming, so getting the ball rolling by securing a job offer is essential. Once you’ve found the perfect job, it’s time to find your dream Portuguese home!