How to Find a Job in Portugal

ByLinnea Published: Updated:

Start with a focused search

Before opening a job board, decide which roles match your skills and where you are willing to live. Search by role, location and language requirements, then work through the main channels:

  • EURES. The European job mobility portal lists vacancies across Portugal and publishes a living and working conditions page that explains how the local market works. EURES recommends searching through public employment services, vacancy listings, company websites and personal networks.
  • Public employment services. On the mainland, the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training, IEFP, runs the network of job centres, and its directory of centres shows what is near you. Madeira and the Azores have their own regional employment services, as EURES notes. Registration rules and services vary, so check what applies to you.
  • Employer websites. Larger companies and international firms post directly. Apply through their own portals where possible.
  • Your network. Tell contacts in your field which roles and locations you are considering, and ask about relevant vacancies.

Tailor each application. Use a concise CV and short cover letter that explain how your skills match the specific role. Read the advertisement for language and qualification requirements before you apply, not after.

How much Portuguese you need

Expect Portuguese to matter. EURES describes the language as a general obstacle for foreign jobseekers who do not speak it, and names customer service, IT, agriculture and some hospitality roles as areas where this is less of a barrier. Treat those as possible avenues to explore, not as sectors with guaranteed openings or shortages. Even in English-speaking roles, some Portuguese helps with colleagues, contracts and daily life, and it widens the pool of jobs you can apply for.

Check your right to work before you travel

Your nationality, current status and proposed activity affect the rules you need to check.

  • EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can take up work under EU free movement rules. EURES covers the formalities to complete after arrival.
  • Non-EU applicants without an existing right to work should check the appropriate visa or residence route. The government's guide for migrant workers distinguishes employed work from independent work. For the employed-work residence visa described in that guide, the application requires an employment contract or promise of a contract. Check the competent consulate for the procedure applicable to your circumstances.

Do not assume visitor status permits work or an in-country switch. Check your individual position and the application location with the consulate or relevant authorities before travelling. If your role is research or highly qualified work, a different visa may apply: see the guide to the D3 visa for highly qualified workers. If you intend to work for yourself, the guide points to a separate independent-work route. Confirm the correct route for your nationality and situation with the consulate, because procedures change.

Regulated professions

If your profession is regulated in Portugal, you may need formal recognition of your qualification or a licence from the relevant authority before you can practise. Start these checks early. Check which body covers your profession and what it needs, because recognition can take time and may run in parallel with your job search.

Compare the offer before you relocate

Get the offer in writing and read it against the following:

  • Gross versus net pay. Income tax withholding and social security contributions come off the gross figure. Ask what you will take home each month, not just the annual gross.
  • Working hours and leave. Confirm weekly hours, overtime treatment and holiday entitlement in the contract.
  • Contract type. Fixed-term, permanent and temporary agency contracts carry different protections and renewal rules. Know which one you are signing.
  • Location and living costs. Compare the offer with current rent and other household costs in the specific area before you accept.
  • Benefits. Meal allowance, health insurance or transport support can change the real value of an offer.

Be wary of minimum-wage or average-salary figures in online articles, including older versions of this one. They go out of date quickly; check the current official figure if it matters to your decision.

Action checklist

  1. Choose the roles and locations you will target.
  2. Search EURES, IEFP or the regional employment service, employer sites and your network.
  3. Prepare a tailored CV and short cover letter for each application.
  4. Check language and qualification requirements, and start professional recognition if your field is regulated.
  5. Confirm your right to work: the applicable free-movement formalities or your existing permission, and the appropriate visa or residence route where needed. A contract or promise is required for the employed-work residence visa described above.
  6. Compare the written offer on net pay, hours, contract type and local living costs.
  7. Only then book the move.

Official resources

Linnea is a seasoned traveler, expat, and real estate enthusiast originally from the Pacific Northwest. Her love for exploration and adventure has led her to live, work, and invest in various countries around the world, with her most recent adventure taking her to the beautiful landscapes of Portugal.

As the author behind pnwtourist.com, Linnea shares her knowledge and experiences with a wide audience. The site, has expanded to cover a range of topics for those considering a move abroad, from lifestyle and culture to investment opportunities and the legal aspects of visas and citizenship programs.

In her writings, Linnea shares personal anecdotes, insights, and practical tips about her life as an expat, particularly focusing on her experiences in Portugal and the Caribbean. Whether she's discussing the nuances of expat life, providing insights into real estate investment, or explaining the intricacies of Portugal's golden visa program, Linnea's expertise shines through.