Your Guide on Jobs and Finding Work in Portugal

Jump right in:

• How to Get a Job in Portugal as a Foreigner
• Minimum Wage and Average Salary
• Self-Employment
• Business Culture
• Social Security and Benefits
• Maternity and Paternity Leave

When taking up work in the country, whether as an employee or working as self-employed, you are expected to pay contributions to social security, which will grant you some benefits in return.

How to get a job in Portugal as a foreigner

Before you start looking for work in Portugal, check whether you’re allowed to work there. Once that’s sorted, you can focus on finding the right job and making your application stand out.

Requirements and eligibility to work in Portugal

European citizens do not need a visa or a work permit to live and work in Portugal. These citizens are only required to register their address with the city hall and request a tax number with Finanças.

If you are a citizen of a third country, you will need to apply for a visa beforehand. This requires having a job contract or a promise of a job contract. Once in the country, you Will need to apply for a residence permit.

Job opportunities in Portugal for foreigners

How is the Portuguese job market looking these days? Portugal has significantly reduced its unemployment rate and is currently below the Eurozone average. Although speaking Portuguese is not always required, the job market generally favors those who have at least a basic command of the language.

The growing number of international companies based in Portugal has made it easier for expats to work in the country. Job opportunities in the fields of IT, marketing, and in other online and tech jobs are increasing. Jobs in real estate and tourism have long been a safe option for expats.

While speaking English is not mandatory for hospitality jobs, it is a major advantage, especially in tourist-heavy areas. However, as the majority of Portuguese themselves speak English fairly well, you might want to have other languages under your belt like French, Spanish, or German, which are highly valued in this job sector. There are also opportunities for foreigners to work as language teachers in schools, private institutions, or by offering private lessons.

No matter your line of work, the safest way to start a career in Portugal is, of course, to secure a job before moving to the country, whether you need a work visa and permit or not. You can find most opportunities online. You are also likely to find job openings on company websites. Make a list of companies in your field you would like to work with and keep an eye on their recruitment page to know of any openings.

How to apply for a job in Portugal

The best way to get a job in Portugal as a foreigner is to adapt to the Portuguese job market: follow their style of CV and know how to proceed in interviews and networking events.

Portuguese CV tips

The most common Portuguese CV is divided into three sections. You have your personal details at the top, followed by your most recent professional experience, and your most recent degrees and qualifications. Having said that, you are free to choose the structure that best fits your professional journey and emphasizes your specific skills. Just make sure to keep the following tips in mind.

• Short CVs are appreciated — one page should be enough to demonstrate you fit a position. There may be some positions where you need to give more details. But as general rule, less is more. • Start with your personal details. These include your name, contact details (phone and email), and optionally your city of residence. It is recommended to avoid including marital status, religion, or date of birth, as these are considered sensitive personal data. Including a picture is also up to you — some recruiters advise including one, as it makes the CV more personable, but this is a matter of choice. Use a professional and neutral photo if you decide to include one. • Follow with your professional experience, with the most recent first. Do not forget to list the job duties and to only include relevant job positions. • The third section should be your education and qualifications, again in reverse chronological order. • Optional information: You can list your hard and soft skills, if you wish. As for hobbies, you can include some if they are relevant, but even then, these should be kept to a minimum.

You should submit your CV in English if the job requires it, or if you do not speak Portuguese. If unsure, submitting it in both English and Portuguese is a good strategy.

Cover letter tips

Cover letters are not mandatory, but this, of course, depends on the job opening and your field of work. More technical job positions may not require a cover letter, while jobs that involve communication may ask for one.

Required references and qualifications

References are not usually required, but as always, pay close attention to the specifications of the job application, as some recruiters may ask for them. If you are unsure whether you will need one, it is always a good idea to keep one or two recommendation letters handy, and provide the contact details of a trusted peer who can vouch for you.

In general, you do not have to show proof of your qualifications, at least when first applying for a position. If you do progress to other stages of the recruitment process, you may be asked for your diploma or other certificates.

Interview tips

The Portuguese place a lot of importance on presentation. When in doubt, go for a slightly more formal dress code for interviews. That being said, pay attention to the company culture. Are the recruiters addressing you in a formal or informal way? If you are applying for a start-up, it’s safe to assume the dress code will be more on the casual side.

If you are doing interviews in person, use a firm handshake when introducing yourself. In Portugal, cheek kisses are common in informal contexts but are not appropriate during job interviews or professional meetings.

Networking tips

As for networking, you’ll find this to be a powerful tool when looking for a job in the country. Once you are based here, make sure to meet peers and potential employers by going to events relevant to your sector. You can always attend an InterNations event, as it is a well-established platform for meeting other expats and professionals in Portugal. InterNations has communities in Porto, Lisbon, and Cascais.

Average salary and minimum wage

The average gross salary in Portugal is around 1,600 EUR (approx. 1,900 USD) per month, according to the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics. This figure varies depending on qualifications.

For highly qualified employees, such as doctors, engineers, or lawyers, salaries tend to be significantly higher, while unqualified workers may earn close to or even below the minimum wage. The minimum gross salary in Portugal is 870 EUR (approx. 1,000 USD) per month as of January 2025. This value applies to full-time workers regardless of age.

What is a good salary in Portugal, then? If you consider that the average rent can reach around 1,100 EUR (approx. 1,300 USD) in major cities like Lisbon and Porto, you can start to grasp the problem locals face with the current job market and the increasingly burdensome rent prices.

If you wish to live comfortably in the country, you should aim for at least 1,500 EUR (approx. 1,750 USD) net, especially outside major cities, as this amount can usually cover rent, food, transportation, and leisure with a decent quality of life.

Average salary in Portugal

The average annual salary in Portugal varies by profession, qualification, years of experience, and so on. For a highly skilled worker, the average annual salary ranges between 35,000 and 150,000 EUR (approx. 41,000–175,500 USD).

The minimum salary in Portugal is established by law. It’s currently set at 870 EUR (approx. 1,000 USD) per month. Income tax in Portugal is only paid above the annual minimum of 12,180 EUR (approx. 13,300 USD), so the minimum wage may be exempt from IRS depending on your deductions. However, you are still required to pay social security, which is taxed at 11% of your income.

Most in-demand jobs and how much these pay

The most in-demand jobs in Portugal are in information technology, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, construction, and renewable energy. Key roles include software developers, systems analysts, doctors, nurses, hotel managers, engineers, and renewable energy technicians.

For reference, we provide a list of these in-demand professions, along with other common occupations, and how much these typically pay on average. While salaries vary significantly by sector and experience, IT, finance, engineering, and management tend to offer the highest earnings — ranging from 22,000 EUR to 50,000 EUR (approx. 25,500–58,000 USD) or more per year. In contrast, workers in commerce and services often earn closer to the national minimum wage.

Annual salary ranges in Portugal

Self-employment

In this section, you’ll find everything worth knowing about self-employment in Portugal. Find out how you can be self-employed, what the top jobs are, and some of the benefits you get as an independent worker.

How to be self-employed in Portugal

There are several ways you can be self-employed in Portugal. Knowing which type of business to set up will be your first challenge. Companies are typically divided into two categories based on the number of employees: those who work with one individual only, known as pessoa singular, and companies who employ more than one person, known as pessoa colectiva.

Working as a freelancer or sole trader in Portugal

If you’re going to be a sole business owner or a freelancer, you need to register the start of your business with Finanças and the Portuguese Social Security system (Segurança Social) before doing any type of trade. You might be able to pay your taxes with a simplified tax regime, as long as your business’ turnover does not exceed 200,000 EUR (approx. 234,000 USD). Freelancers often work under a taxation regime called recibos verdes (green receipts).

You may start a business as an empresario em nome individual. Be warned that in case of debt, your personal assets are at risk with this type of business. If you want to avoid this, you can create a unipessoal limitada, which separates your personal and corporate assets, but does not require any minimum capital investment.

Owning a company in Portugal

If you’re going to set up a business with more than one partner (sócio), there are several types of legal entities you can create, such as a public limited company (sociedade anónima), private limited liability company (sociedade por quotas or Lda), partnership limited by shares (sociedade em comandita por ações), cooperativa, among others.

All of these types of businesses are first created through the Empresa na Hora platform or the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN). To avoid any issues with choosing the right type of business or even doing your taxes, it’s highly recommended that you seek out the help of an accountant.

Top self-employed jobs in Portugal

When it comes to freelance work, the top self-employed positions in Portugal are no different than work you could do elsewhere. Think accountants, designers, marketers, consultants, writers, developers, data analysts, etc.

You can also start a business in the tourism sector. Tourism is one of Portugal’s strongest markets, and with the number of tourists continuously on the rise, working in the hospitality sector is almost always a safe bet. This includes businesses, such as cafes, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, etc.

Self-employed benefits in Portugal Self-employed workers in Portugal, who are legally required to declare their turnover and pay social security contributions, enjoy most of the benefits that other employees get.

The self-employed are protected by social security in the following situations:

• sickness and disease • paternity/maternity • work-related health conditions • invalidity • old age • death

Unemployment benefits are only available to certain categories, such as economically dependent self-employed workers (who earn more than 50% of their income from a single client) or specific cases of sole proprietors, provided they meet strict legal conditions.

Business culture

Portuguese business culture is quite balanced. The Portuguese work hard and for long hours, but can separate their professional life from their personal life. They strive for a healthy work-life balance whenever possible.

What is the work culture like in Portugal?

The working culture in Portugal will vary greatly from industry to industry, and even company to company.

Start-ups have a fast-paced, all-hands attitude, do not require a lot of bureaucracy, and tend to be agile. These workplaces, which you will easily find in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, or Aveiro, to name a few, tend to be competitive but overall welcoming and friendly, especially in international and innovation-driven environments.

On the other hand, older and more traditional industries may be set in their ways. Operations in these companies rely heavily on hierarchies, may value formal structure and defined roles, which can sometimes create a slower pace of change.

Working days and hours

In Portugal, a typical work week is made up of 40 working hours in total, Monday through Friday. Each company can set their own schedules, but the standard workday is usually eight hours long, and the start and end times may vary depending on the sector, company rules, or collective agreements.

Lunch breaks can differ between workplaces. You’re not expected to work on the weekends, unless otherwise stated in your work contract, and most Portuguese do not. Work-life balance is protected by law, with mandatory rest days and a legal right to 22 days of paid vacation per year.

Portuguese workplace dress code

Depending on the industry you work for, you may be looking at two extremes — and anything in between — when it comes to business dress code. You’ll find the majority of companies and job positions go with a business casual look, but as always, reading the room is key.

Start-ups and company hubs, which are becoming more and more popular in the country, have a very relaxed attitude when it comes to attire. It’s not uncommon for employees across the company to wear relaxed casual wear: think t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sandals, and sneakers. Importance is simply not placed on what you wear. Mind you, common sense still advises against wearing flip-flips or sweatpants, but even then, this might go unremarked.

On the polar opposite, you’ll find some businesses which require the formal suit-and-tie dress code. These are typically industries like textiles, chemicals, construction, and other solid business sectors like consultancy agencies, law firms, and banks. Men typically wear dark suits, light colored shirts, and a tie, while women can opt for a blazer with trousers or skirts.

Social security and benefits

The Portuguese social security number guarantees you enjoy your rights as a taxpayer, whether that is free healthcare or benefits in case of invalidity, unemployment, paternity, etc. Foreigners can get a social security number if they are legally residing in Portugal.

What is the social security number in Portugal?

A social security number in Portugal is called a NISS, Número de Identificação de Segurança Social. It is an 11-digit number that identifies you for the purposes of employment and social security benefits.

How to get a social security number in Portugal

If you’re working as an employee, your employer should notify social security at the start of your work contract. Your employer must ensure your legal status in Portugal is valid, typically by confirming your residence permit or identification documents, before registering you with social security.

You’ll be asked to sign the form Mod.RV1009-DGSS, which should be filled out by your employer. When your work contract is submitted, you should be granted your NISS.

If you’re taking up self-employment, you’ll need to apply for a social security number in Portugal yourself. You’ll need to submit the correct form along with other documents to a social security office in your place of residence.

In Portugal, you will not receive a physical social security card. Portuguese citizens have the NISS linked to their Citizen Card, while foreign nationals receive their NISS by registered mail after submitting the online request through the Social Security portal.

Documents to register with social security as an independent worker

All citizens:

• valid identification document (such as Citizen Card, identity card, or passport) • Portuguese tax number • proof of need for a NISS, such as evidence of self-employment registration with Finanças

Non-EU citizens should also present:

• passport • residence permit, Título de Residência

Once you have registered with social security, you can take care of most procedures online, via the social security platform, Segurança Social Direta.

Social security benefits in Portugal

As a taxpayer, you’re protected by Portuguese social security in the following cases:

• unemployment benefits • work injuries and other health conditions • sickness and disease benefits • maternity and paternity benefits • old age pension • invalidity benefits • death benefits

Maternity and paternity leave

Portugal offers a comprehensive and flexible parental leave policy. Mothers are entitled to six weeks (42 days) of mandatory leave after childbirth and may choose to take up to 30 optional days before the birth. Fathers are entitled to 28 days, of which 7 are mandatory immediately after the child is born. The remaining 21 days must be taken within the mother's 42-day mandatory leave period, with the option to take an additional 7 days, if desired.

Parents can choose an initial parental leave period of 120 or 150 days, which may be shared between both parents. If they decide to share the leave and meet specific criteria, they can receive an additional 30 days, bringing the total to 150 or 180 days.

During parental leave, parents receive a parental allowance from social security to compensate for lost income. The percentage of payment varies:

• 120 days: 100% of the reference salary • 150 days (not shared): 80% • 150 days (shared): 100% • 180 days (shared): 83% or up to 90% if the father takes at least 60 days on his own

Both parents must have contributed to social security for at least six months, either consecutively or intermittently, and have their contributions up to date. The parental allowance can be requested up to six months after the child's birth. Same-sex couples and adoptive parents are also eligible for parental leave and allowance under the same rules.