Work Portugal

To obtain a work permit in Portugal, foreigners who are not EU citizens need to apply for a work visa (D1) or another suitable type of visa depending on the situation, for instance, for highly skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, or freelancers. To apply for a work visa, you must have a contract or a job offer from a Portuguese employer. If the job requires high qualification, you need to provide proof of your qualifications.

 

 

Application submission at the consulate: All documents are submitted through the Portuguese consulates in your country. The review process takes approximately 60 days.

 

 

 

Obtaining a work permit: After entering Portugal based on the visa, you must contact the Immigration and Asylum Agency to obtain a work permit and residence permit.

 

 

 

For those planning to look for a job after arrival, you can apply for a job-seeking visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 180 days with the possibility of working during this period.

Employment for EU citizens

 

Citizens of the EU, European Economic Area countries, and Switzerland can live and work in Portugal freely without the need for a work permit. They enjoy the same rights as Portuguese citizens, including the right to equal pay, working conditions, access to social security, and healthcare services. The only requirement for long-term residence in the country (over 3 months) is to register your residence, which must be done at the local municipality within 30 days after a three-month stay.

 

 

 

Employment for non-EU citizens

 

For citizens from outside the EU, employment in Portugal requires obtaining a work visa or a residence permit with work permission. For this, you need to have a contract or an official job offer from a Portuguese employer. An important condition is proving that the vacancy was previously offered to EU citizens but was not filled by them. After obtaining the visa and arriving in Portugal, you need to apply for a work permit at the Immigration and Asylum Agency.

Online platforms

 

There are many websites for job search in Portugal. Among the most popular:

 

Net-Empregos: the largest portal with thousands of vacancies.

 

Indeed: an international site with a wide range of job offers.

 

LinkedIn: good for networking and finding vacancies by specialty.

 

IEFP: the government job search site with vacancies and training information.

 

 

 

Employment agencies

 

Agencies such as Adecco and Randstad specialize in recruitment, including temporary positions and jobs for foreigners. These agencies help simplify the job search process, especially if you are looking for temporary work.

 

 

 

Networking

 

Networking plays a significant role in job searching in Portugal. It is recommended to actively participate in professional communities, and attend events like Web Summit or specialized job fairs. Using LinkedIn and participating in interest groups can also help establish useful connections.

 

 

 

Preparation tips

 

When preparing for a job search, it's important to create a modern resume tailored to the Portuguese market. Also, knowing the Portuguese language will be an advantage, especially for unskilled jobs such as work in restaurants or hotels.

Language

 

While many international companies in Portugal use English, knowing Portuguese is a significant advantage, especially in areas requiring interaction with the local population, such as retail, customer service, or education. For jobs like work in restaurants and hotels, minimal knowledge of English or Portuguese is mandatory.

 

 

 

Qualifications

 

For highly qualified positions, such as work in IT, science, medicine, and engineering, having the appropriate education and experience is important. In some cases, proof of diploma or qualifications may be required for work in regulated industries, such as medicine or engineering. Portugal also attracts highly qualified professionals through programs like the EU's "Blue Card," offering benefits for specialists.

 

 

 

Work Permit

 

For citizens of countries outside the EU, a work visa must be obtained, the type of which depends on the specifics of the job. All work visas require a contract or a job offer.

 

 

 

Competitive Resume

 

Employers often prefer candidates with relevant experience and qualifications. Therefore, to successfully compete in the labor market, it is important to have a modern and comprehensive resume that reflects professional achievements.

Several sectors in Portugal show the greatest demand, which opens up good employment prospects for both specialists in key areas and unqualified workers.

 

 

 

Technology Sector

 

Technological professions remain among the most in demand. Specialists in information technology, such as software developers, DevOps engineers, cloud solution architects, and cybersecurity specialists, are in high demand due to the growing digitalization of business.

 

 

 

Energy and Renewable Resources

 

The renewable energy sector, including solar and wind energy, is actively developing. Portugal is striving for a sustainable future, which creates many job opportunities in this field. Engineers and specialists in ecology and sustainable development are in demand.

 

 

 

Healthcare and Biotechnology

 

The medical and pharmaceutical sectors remain important for employment, especially after the pandemic. The demand for workers in the field of biotechnology and scientific research is also growing.

 

 

 

Tourism and Hospitality

 

A traditionally important sector for Portugal is tourism and hospitality, where skilled workers are in demand in this field, including hotel staff, restaurant staff, and travel agency employees, as well as unqualified workers. Vacancies in hotels, restaurants, bars, and tourist companies are constantly needed, especially during the peak tourist season. Workers engaged in cleaning, serving tables, cooking, and reception are regularly required in Lisbon, Porto, and in the south of the country in the Algarve region.

 

 

 

Logistics and Transportation

 

The logistics and transport sector is also actively developing. This includes supply chain management, warehousing, and freight transportation, which is especially important for a country maintaining international trade connections. The logistics sector also needs unqualified workers for tasks such as packing, loading and unloading goods, as well as transportation in warehouses and distribution centers.

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

Portugal's agricultural sector also has a high demand for unqualified labor, especially during the harvest season. Workers are needed for picking fruits, olives, grapes, and vegetables on farms, making this sector significant for foreign workers, including migrants.

 

 

 

Construction

 

The construction sector offers many opportunities for unqualified workers, including builder assistants, construction site workers, and others involved in construction and repair work. The growth of infrastructure projects and the construction of residential complexes supports a constant demand for labor.

In Portugal, the pension system is based on a solidarity model, where pensions are paid from contributions by the working population. This means that each worker deducts 11% of their salary monthly for social insurance, and employers supplement these contributions by 23.75%. These funds are used not only for pension formation but also for other social benefits such as unemployment and sick pay.

 

 

 

Main Types of Pensions

 

Old-age Pension: Paid after reaching retirement age, which in 2024 is 66 years and 4 months. The pension amount depends on the length of work and the level of earnings throughout the working life.

 

 

 

Social Old-age Pension: Intended for those who did not accumulate sufficient work experience or were not insured in the social insurance system. In 2024, the amount of such a pension is 245.79 euros per month.

 

 

 

Additional savings schemes: Portugal also offers the opportunity to participate in voluntary pension programs that allow citizens to create additional pension savings.

 

 

 

In Portugal, you cannot purchase missing years for a pension directly, as in some other countries. However, there are alternative ways to compensate for the missing years:

 

 

 

Voluntary contributions: If a person has not accumulated the required number of years to receive a full pension (a minimum of 15 years for employees or 12 years for the self-employed), they can continue to make voluntary contributions to the social security system. This can help increase the number of years of service required for a pension.

 

 

 

Using years from other countries: For those who have worked in another country, it is possible to combine years through international agreements, such as agreements between Portugal and other EU countries or Brazil. This allows work periods in multiple countries to be counted towards obtaining a pension.

The main types of social security include:

 

 

 

Pension coverage

 

An old-age pension is provided to individuals who have reached retirement age; to receive a pension, it is necessary to have at least 15 years of contributions to the social security system.

 

A social old-age pension is available to those who have not accumulated the minimum number of years for a standard pension. This pension is intended to protect low-income elderly people.

 

 

 

Medical insurance

 

All residents who contribute to the social security system have access to public healthcare through the National Health Service. This includes primary medical care, emergency services, hospitalization, specialized consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines.

 

 

 

Sickness and disability benefits

 

The social security system provides benefits in cases of temporary incapacity due to illness, occupational diseases, or disability. Medical certificates confirming the inability to work must be provided for this.

 

 

 

Unemployment benefits

 

Unemployment benefits are provided to individuals who have lost their job through no fault of their own and are actively seeking new employment. The amount of the benefit and its duration depend on the contribution history to the social security system.

 

 

 

Maternity and child care benefits

 

Benefits for pregnant women and families with children include paid maternity leave and payments for child-rearing. These benefits are aimed at supporting families during pregnancy and the first years of a child's life.

 

 

 

These elements of social security in Portugal provide a protective system aimed at supporting citizens in different life situations.

In Portugal, the rules concerning dismissals, leave, and holidays are regulated by the Labor Code and have several key features.

 

 

 

Dismissal

 

Dismissal in Portugal is strictly regulated. An employee can be dismissed only for objective reasons such as staff reduction or disciplinary violations. The employer is obliged to notify the employee in advance, depending on the length of service, the notice period may range from 15 to 60 days. If these requirements are violated, the dismissal may be deemed illegal, and the employee may have the right to compensation.

 

 

 

Leave

 

Annual leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 22 working days of leave per year. Leave is granted for the previous year of work and can be used during the current year. If the employee did not manage to take all the days of leave, they could transfer them to the next year, but they must be used by June 30.

 

 

Parental leave: In Portugal, there is parental leave (maternity and paternity leave), which lasts from 120 to 150 days depending on the parents' decision. The first month after birth must be used by the mother. Rights to annual leave are retained by the employee, and the leave can be used after the child care period is completed.

 

 

 

Public holidays

 

Portugal has 13 national holidays observed throughout the country:

 

January 1 — New Year's Day

 

March 29 — Good Friday

 

March 31 — Easter

 

April 25 — Freedom Day

 

May 1 — Labor Day

 

May 30 — Corpus Christi

 

June 10 — Portugal Day

 

August 15 — Assumption of Mary

 

October 5 — Republic Day

 

November 1 — All Saints' Day

 

December 1 — Restoration of Independence Day

 

December 8 — Immaculate Conception

 

December 25 — Christmas

 

 

 

Employers are required to observe these days as non-working days unless otherwise provided by a collective agreement or contract. In some cases, workers may work on holidays with increased pay rates.

Among the largest trade unions in Portugal are the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP-IN) and the General Union of Workers (UGT), which represent the interests of employees in various economic sectors.

 

Main functions of trade unions

 

Collective bargaining: Trade unions negotiate with employers and the government to establish fair working conditions, increase wages, and improve social benefits. They conclude collective agreements that can enhance working conditions for all union members in a particular industry.

 

Protection of workers' rights: Trade unions provide legal assistance to their members, representing them in court and administrative disputes related to labor rights violations. This can be useful in cases of unlawful dismissal, wage delays, or unfair treatment at the workplace.

 

Mobilization and protests: When negotiations do not yield the desired results, trade unions can organize strikes or protests. These actions aim to draw attention to workers' issues and pressure employers and authorities to take action.

 

Informational and educational support: Trade unions also help their members better understand their rights and responsibilities at the workplace, providing information on labor laws and opportunities for professional training.

Business registration procedure

 

Registering a company in Portugal can be done via the online platform Empresa na Hora in one day. This requires a tax identification number (NIF) for all founders and directors, as well as registration with the commercial registry. Most businesses choose legal forms such as a Limited Liability Company (Lda) or a Public Limited Company (SA), depending on the size of the company and the level of responsibility of the founders.

 

Taxes and social contributions

 

The standard corporate tax rate is 21%, but there is a reduced rate of 17% on the first €15,000 of profit for small and medium enterprises. For innovative startups meeting certain criteria, the tax can be even lower. VAT (23%, with reduced rates of 13% and 6% for certain goods and services) and municipal tax (up to 1.5% depending on the business location) must also be paid. Employers are required to make social security contributions, which are about 23.75% of employees' wages.

 

Licenses and permits

 

Depending on the industry, special licenses and permits may be required to conduct business. For example, enterprises operating in healthcare, education, catering, and tourism have strict requirements. It is also important to consider data protection and consumer legislation if you plan to engage in e-commerce.

 

Government support

 

The Portuguese government actively supports small and medium businesses by offering grants and tax incentives. Programs such as StartUP Portugal and Golden Visa provide opportunities for foreigners wishing to invest or develop innovative projects. There are also many free trade zones (e.g., in Madeira and the Azores) where reduced tax rates apply to encourage investments.

 

Ongoing obligations

 

After registering a business, bookkeeping must be maintained, and annual reports submitted to tax authorities. Some companies are also required to undergo an annual audit.

 

Thus, doing business in Portugal is characterized by transparent and simple registration procedures, access to advantageous tax incentives, and active state support for entrepreneurship.