The work opportunities, quality of life, and stunning surroundings are just a few reasons why Portugal is one of the most popular countries to immigrate to. Non-EU citizens require a work visa to live and work in Portugal. The general process involves getting a job offer from a Portuguese employer, and then applying for a work visa.
Portugal’s minimum wage is set to increase to €870 per month in 2025, following the labor minister’s recent confirmation that the raise is “absolutely a done deal.” At present, workers in the country receive a minimum monthly salary of €820. According to Article 125 of the Portuguese Labour Code, the legal maximum working hours are 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
Securing a job in Portugal as a foreigner can be difficult, especially if you don’t know the language. The job market is competitive and unemployment rates may fluctuate. However, skilled professionals can find opportunities, particularly in fields like IT, engineering, tourism, and language teaching.
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Popular job platforms in Portugal
To make your job hunting easier, we have centralized all job platforms in this article, as well as tips on how to stand out and be chosen for the job. Here is a list of popular job platforms and websites where you can find job opportunities in Portugal:
General Job Platforms:
- LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com): A global platform widely used in Portugal for professional networking and job searching.
- Sapo Emprego (emprego.sapo.pt): One of the largest job portals in Portugal, offering a wide range of job opportunities across sectors.
- Net-Empregos (net-empregos.com): A popular job portal in Portugal with a large number of listings for different industries and professions.
- Indeed Portugal (pt.indeed.com): A global job search engine, with a Portuguese version for local job postings.
- Jobs in Lisbon (jobsinlisbon.com): Specializes in jobs for English speakers and expats in Lisbon, including positions in tech and customer support.
- Expresso Emprego (expressoemprego.pt): The employment section of the Expresso newspaper, offering job postings across various sectors in Portugal.
- Jobtide (jobtide.pt): A modern platform for job searching, with offers across multiple industries.
- Turijobs (pt.turijobs.com): Focuses on job opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry in Portugal.
- Ofertas de Emprego (ofertasdeemprego.pt): A Portuguese job platform with offers in various sectors, including IT, healthcare, and education.
- Cargadetrabalhos (cargadetrabalhos.net): Focuses on creative and media jobs, including design, marketing, and advertising.
Specialized Platforms:
- ItJobs (itjobs.pt): Specialized in IT and tech jobs across Portugal.
- Landing.jobs (landing.jobs): A tech-oriented job platform focusing on remote work and job opportunities for tech professionals.
- CareerJet Portugal (careerjet.pt): A job search engine that aggregates listings from various websites and companies.
- Jobrapido (pt.jobrapido.com): A job search aggregator offering various positions across sectors in Portugal.
- Jooble Portugal (pt.jooble.org): A global job search engine that provides listings from different job boards and websites.
- Michael Page Portugal (michaelpage.pt): A recruitment agency specializing in management and executive positions across different sectors.
- Hays Portugal (hays.pt): An international recruitment company focusing on high-level professionals and specialized roles.
- Emprego XL (emprego.com.pt): Another general job board covering multiple industries across Portugal.
- Empregos Online (empregosonline.pt): A well-known Portuguese job platform offering positions in various sectors.
These platforms provide access to a wide range of job opportunities in Portugal, from local companies to multinational corporations. If you’re targeting specific industries, there are also specialized job boards such as ItJobs for tech roles or Turijobs for hospitality positions.
Helpful tips for immigrants seeking to secure a job in Portugal
We suggest the following:
- Learn Portuguese: although English is widely spoken, especially in large cities and certain sectors, learning Portuguese will significantly increase your job prospects, even if they are only basic language skills. You can also consider enrolling in language courses, either online or in-person, to improve your fluency;
- Update Your CV and Tailor it for Portugal – Use the Europass format, which is commonly accepted in Portugal and customize your CV and cover letter to match the requirements of the job description;
- Use LinkedIn to find job opportunities, connect with employers, and participate in relevant industry discussions;
- Look for International Companies;
- Multinational Corporations: Apply to international companies with offices in Portugal. These companies may use English as a working language and value international experience;
- Work with Recruitment Agencies;
- Register with recruitment agencies that can help match you with jobs based on your skills and experience;
- Consider Teaching English: English teachers are in demand, especially in private language schools. Having a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification will boost your chances;
- Volunteering: Volunteering can help you build a local network and learn more about the job market in Portugal;
- Explore Remote Work and Freelancing: Portugal offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers, allowing freelancers and digital nomads to live in Portugal while working for international clients; you can also use freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find freelance work that allows you to live in Portugal.
5 Things to know before you immigrate to Portugal
These are:
- The cost of living in Portugal is lower than in many Western European countries, but it can vary depending on the region. Lisbon and Porto are more expensive, while smaller cities and rural areas are more affordable.
- As an employee, you will be subject to Portugal’s progressive income tax rates, which range from 14.5% to 48%. Employers handle tax deductions automatically.
- After five years of continuous residence in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency, which gives you the right to live and work in the country indefinitely. Once you have a residence permit, you can apply for family reunification to bring your spouse, children, or dependent relatives to Portugal.
- For Non-EU License Holders, if your country does not have a reciprocity agreement with Portugal, you may need to pass a driving test.
- Portugal is known for being welcoming and hospitable to immigrants. The Portuguese people tend to be tolerant and open to foreigners.
Applying our tips and using the list of job platforms provided above will make the process of searching for a job easier, quicker and will increase your chances of getting employed. If you need help obtaining the work visa or any other visa, citizenship or residency, our lawyers in Portugal are always ready to assist you. Contact us for details.