Many people come from abroad to work in Portugal. Jobs for Foreigners in Portugal: The ultimate guide However, it’s not just a case of arriving and getting started; there are a few steps you’ll need to follow. Let’s help you! If you are a European citizen, you do not need to obtain a residence visa; otherwise, it is necessary. For people from abroad who want to have their own business in Portugal, the scenario is identical regarding permission. Thus, if you are a European citizen, you must register with a Tax Office as a self-employed person. But, the situation is not so linear if you come from outside the European Economic Area.
What is it like to work in Portugal
The Portuguese labor model is very similar to other European countries; there are 40 hours a week divided into five days of 8 hours of work, with some exceptions provided for in the Portuguese Labor Code (CT). As in most countries, there is a minimum wage in the country that guarantees workers the minimum to live on. Understand Portugal’s minimum wage, average wage, and purchasing power better.
The minimum wage in Portugal
The minimum wage in Portugal in 2023 is €760; the amount was readjusted on January 1st. Compared to the other countries of the European Union, this is an intermediate value and is far from the countries that occupy the top, such as Luxembourg (€2,387.40/month) and Ireland (€11.30/hour). Despite the recent nominal increase of €55 compared to 2022, purchasing power in Portugal has declined due to inflation, the highest recorded in the last 30 years. According to data from INE (National Institute of Statistics), in December 2022, the Consumer Price Index (IPC) closed at 9.6%. The average variation of the CPI in the last 12 months in the country was 7.8%.
The average salary in Portugal
In 2022, the average salary increased by 4%, reaching €1,334 per month per worker. However, due to inflation that shows the increase in the price of consumer goods, in real terms, there was a drop of 4.7% in the average salary, according to INE data. With an average salary close to the minimum, what is observed in the country is that the number of people who earn the minimum is very high. Thus, it is possible to notice that the average wage is below two gross minimum wages. Meanwhile, wages above three minimum wages are scarce, being more common in more specific sectors, such as technology. Therefore, if we analyze the Consumer Price Index (inflation) and the drop in average gross earnings, the purchasing power of Portuguese workers is decreasing due to rising prices.
Where are more jobs in Portugal
The areas of Portugal with the most opportunities are the Metropolitan Area of ​​Lisbon and Porto. If you work in tourism, the Algarve area also has more vacancies.
Salary in Portugal by profession
Salaries in Portugal vary according to the position, the employee’s experience, and the region of the country in which you live. It is natural that wages in Lisbon, the country’s capital, are higher than in the interior. To exemplify, let’s put the average annual salaries of some professions in Portugal based on the Labor Market Guide 2023:
| Profession | Annual Salary in Lisbon | Annual Salary in Porto |
| Accountant | Between €37,500 and €49,000 | Between €29,500 and €40,000 |
| HR Manager | Between €35,000 and €45,000 | Between €34,000 and €44,000 |
| Attorney | Between €30,000 and €42,000 | Between €25,000 to €37,000 |
| Logistics Director | Between €49,000 and €62,000 | Between €44,800 and €56,000 |
| Software Developer | Between €30,000 and €50,000 | Between €26,000 and €46,000 |
| Copywriter | 18.200€ | 18.200€ |
| Store Supervisor | 28.000€ | 28.000€ |
| Cook/Chef | 59.500€ | 50,00€ |
Best-paid professions in Portugal
The best-paid professions in Portugal are management positions in areas such as finance, tax and legal, human resources, retail, engineering, technology, logistics, and health. As for the profiles most sought after by employers in 2023, Hays highlights information technology (with 30% of employers), engineers (28%), commercial (26%) and administrative/support (17%), marketing, and communication (15%). In the 2023 Hays ranking, the highest salaries are restricted, in most sectors, to the highest positions, not extending to operational professionals and analysts. In the medium careers, the areas with the best salaries are technology, especially IT professionals (from programmers to data scientists), as well as some sectors of marketing and engineering, where there need to be more professionals in the country.
Portugal salary calculator
Some websites help calculate the salary in Portugal based on the area of ​​activity, length of experience, and the region of the country where you intend to live. One of these sites is Meu Salario, where it is possible, based on the information entered, to find the average salary, an example of how much is paid in some companies, and other relevant information.
Is it easy to find a job in Portugal
Unless your resume has a high standard or your area has a shortage of professionals, it’s not easy to find a job anywhere. In 2022, the unemployment rate in the country, according to INE, closed at 5.8%. As early as 2023, experts point out that with the downturn in the economy and inflation in the country, there is a prediction that the labor market will be impacted and experience moments of uncertainty. Thus, the difficulty or ease of getting a job will depend on several aspects. From the curriculum, the validation of the diploma, the situation of the immigrant in the country, to, of course, the area of ​​work. For those who want to work with IT in Portugal, for example, there are always thousands of open positions. All it takes is a simple search on LinkedIn to prove it. Always keep in mind that easy, in a period of global economic crisis, it might not be. However, it is possible to get a job in Portugal.
Areas with the highest demand for work in Portugal
There are areas with greater demand for work in Portugal, either because there are no qualified professionals to meet the market, as is the case in the technology and health area, or because it is a sector in constant growth, such as tourism.
What documents do I need to work in Portugal
Documentation
- Passport valid for at least 90 days from your arrival to work in Portugal.
- Monetary proof of at least 12x the Portuguese minimum wage for those entering with a work visa. As a tourist, it is 75 euros + 40 euros per day of stay.
- If you will enter Portuguese lands as a visitor and apply for a residence visa, you do not need a tourist visa due to the Schengen area policy. However, you must provide a round-trip ticket, travel insurance, and proof of accommodation or a letter. Invitation of where you will be staying during that time.
- Passenger Locator Form is available digitally after check-in and before boarding. Present the QR Code that will be generated via cell phone or printed.
New rules
Due to the pandemic, other documents are mandatory for permission to enter to work in Portugal; among them are
- EU Digital COVID Certificate: vaccination modalities, testing, and recovery.
- Vaccination or recovery certificate valid on Portuguese soil.
- Negative RT-PCR or similar NAAT test within 72 hours before departure, or NegativeÂ
According to the European Commission list, Laboratory Antigen Rapid Test – is within 24 hours before departure. Children under 12 years old must not present a test or certificate.
List Of Most Common Vacancies For Foreigners in Portugal
Do you want to work in Portugal? Still, they need to know if it’s worth trying a vacancy in your current area or specializing in another profession. What is the best job offer for foreigners We made a list, after extensive research, of which sectors tend to hire us most frequently.
- Vacancies in nursing homes (Portugal is a country with high seniority)
- Factories
- Construction
- Driver via app
- Cleaning
- Seller
- Receptionist (often asked to speak more than one language)
- Butcher or Butcher
- Barber/Hairdresser
- Carpentry
- mover
- restaurants
Job sites to work in Portugal
Job sites can help you understand how to go to Portugal to work and the vacancies available. To understand how to work in Portugal, you must also learn about job sites and the types of vacancies they offer. To find jobs in your field, you must start searching as soon as possible. Job sites can help a lot. Here are some most popular sites:
- Net Jobs
- ITjobs
- CareerJet
- Indeed
- OLX
You can also rely on groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to carry out this search and keep up to date with vacancies in your area. Remember to keep your resume up to date, ask for references about the companies you find, always search for more than one source of information and ask for referrals from people who live in the country.
How much do you earn working in Portugal
As in any other place in the world, each profession will have its remuneration in Portugal; this will depend on the city, the demand, and the level of specialization, among other factors. In 2022, the minimum wage in Portugal is 705 euros, and the average is around 1,326 euros. Due to the Portuguese purchasing power, you can live comfortably, earning the minimum income without luxuries. Let’s work with a practical example of a trip to the supermarket with approximate current values: 1 kg of rump steak – 10.39 euros, 1 kg of chicken leg – 2.20 euros, bag of bread – 0.95 cents, 6L bottles of water – 0.75 cents, 1KG of rice – 0.85 cents, a can of tuna – 0.79 cents, a bottle of red wine – 1.59 euros, 1L of milk – 0.59 cents, 1KG of onion: 1.59 euros, 1KG of banana – 0.95 cents, 2.5KG of washing powder: 4.69 euros. Considering the ratio of average salary x food and housing costs, for example, it is notable that it is optional to have a very high salary to live well.
What are the main differences between contracts and green receipts
You are an employee with an employment contract and self-employed with green receipts.
- Contract
- Right to vacation subsidy (paid vacation)
- Green Receipts
- Pay the social security contribution out of your pocket
- ContractÂ
- Entitlement to Christmas subsidy (extra salary at Christmas)
- Green Receipts
- Work any time you want
- Contract
- Receive food stamps
- Green Receipts
- Can work for more than one company
- Contract
- has a fixed salary
- Green Receipts
- No paid holidays or Christmas bonus
- ContractÂ
- Have an employment relationship
- Green Receipts
- No fixed salary
- ContractÂ
- You are entitled to unemployment benefits (unemployment insurance)
- Green Receipts
- You are only entitled to unemployment benefits (unemployment insurance) after paying Social Security for one year.
- ContractÂ
- Have hours and place of work
- Green Receipts
- You can say goodbye whenever you want, as you have no ties
- What do you need to work in Portugal?
- It is necessary to have a visa or residence permit that allows you to carry out a professional activity or European citizenship.
- Who can work in Portugal?
- Any immigrant or person with dual nationality can work if they are not in the country as a tourist and have the necessary documentation.
- Do you have jobs left in Portugal?
- There are some professional areas where jobs are left over, but there is unemployment in the country, and getting a job is complex.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Portugal is a welcoming country for foreigners and offers a range of job opportunities. While the job market can be competitive, opportunities exist in the tourism, technology, and healthcare sectors. Foreigners must research the job market and have the qualifications and language skills before applying to Portugal. With the proper preparation and determination, foreigners can find fulfilling job opportunities in Portugal and enjoy the country’s beautiful scenery and culture.