living and working in Portugal: professional opportunities and attractive destination

Portugal is increasingly a sought-after destination for foreigners to live and work, and if this is your case, fear not! Through this page we will share with you everything you need to know to live and work in Portugal: what documents are needed, what professional opportunities you can find in Portugal, among other useful information to make your experience in our country a success.

Find out why Portugal has attracted so much interest, explore the many advantages of living in this charming country, and learn how to find job opportunities through Randstad.

Get ready to embark on this exciting journey of working and living in Portugal!

1

discover Portugal: location, climate, culture and major cities

Located in the far south-west of Europe (being the westernmost country in Europe), Portugal is a country with a rich history, a vibrant culture and a pleasant climate all year round.

Living in Portugal, you have 7 regions to choose from (North, Centre, Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Alentejo, Algarve, and the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores), with the capital Lisbon, and Porto (or Oporto) and the Algarve being other major cities on the continent.

The metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Oporto, and the Algarve are the regions where there is currently the greatest job offer, however, the regions of Alentejo Litoral, Trás-os-Montes and Douro are the regions that have seen the greatest job growth in Portugal.

Through our website you can find the right job for you, wherever you are, and for any city in Portugal. Explore the page of the delegation closest to you to see the video with the benefits of living in that city.

Randstad delegations

Be sure to explore every corner, from the dazzling cities to the picturesque villages and natural landscapes - here you'll have plenty of mountains, beaches, and plains to enjoy and wander through.

The official language is Portuguese - the fifth most spoken language in the world and the third if you consider only European languages - however, many Portuguese might also be able to communicate in English, French and/or Castilian.

working and living in Portugal a guide for foreigners
working and living in Portugal a guide for foreigners
2

working in portugal: rights, salaries, benefits and tax aspects

workers' rights in Portugal

It is important for you to know that, according to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (Article 59), workers' rights in Portugal are governed by a set of rules that do not distinguish between age, sex, race, citizenship, territory of origin, religion, political or ideological convictions.

Here are some of the rights of workers in Portugal, according to this Constitution:

  • right to fair remuneration, based on the quantity, quality and nature of the work;
  • the right to decent working conditions, allowing a work-life balance, as well as guarantees of hygiene, safety and health in the work environment;
  • the right to rest periods, leisure time, weekly rest (there must be a maximum limit on working time) and periodic paid holidays;
  • the right to be covered by labour insurance for assistance and compensation in the event of an accident at work or occupational disease.

The state is responsible for setting and updating the national minimum wage according to the needs of workers and the economic context. Below we will discuss the topic of wages in Portugal.

In the labour market, the state guarantees limits on working hours, special protection for pregnant women and new mothers, as well as for workers who are minors or who carry out activities considered dangerous.

the salaries and benefits offered in Portugal

When looking for a job, salary is always a major factor in our decision, however, more and more companies are offering benefits beyond financial ones to attract and retain talent.

Find out more about the main aspects of these financial and non-monetary benefits in Portugal.

tax aspects to be aware of

If you are planning to live and work in Portugal as a foreign citizen, there are some tax aspects you should be aware of.

Here we leave a brief description of each one, however, it is always recommended to seek advice from a qualified tax professional or consult tax authorities, such as the Tax and Customs Authority (Entidade Tributária e Aduaneira), for detailed and up-to-date information on the specific tax obligations for foreigners who come to live and work in Portugal.

3

visas to live and work in Portugal: mandatory documentation to have a residence permit

In addition to your NIF and NISS, you will need a residence permit to live and work in Portugal.

In this section, you will learn about the visa you need to work in Portugal, how to apply for a visa or permit to work in Portugal, what documents and information you need to submit, and where to apply for a visa to work in Portugal.

Explore the following conditions and find out which is the best option for you.

visas to live and work in Portugal mandatory documentation to have a residence permit
visas to live and work in Portugal mandatory documentation to have a residence permit

citizens from outside the Schengen area or the European Union

Depending on whether you are already in Portugal or still planning to come, the type of visa or permit you need to live and work in Portugal will vary.

Below, we list the visa and authorisation options for non-Schengen and non-EU nationals.

citizens of the Schengen area or the European Union

Foreigners belonging to the Schengen area or the European Union must present the following documents:

  1. ID card from the country of origin;
  2. Proof of NISS;
  3. Proof of TIN;
  4. EU Registration Certificate

The European Union registration certificate is the proof of residence requested by companies, including Randstad, to EU workers when they are going to work for more than 3 months. You can request this document directly at the City Hall of your area of residence.

In the case of work of up to 3 months, for EU citizens, no special document will be required, just the passport or the CC/BI of the respective country.

 

other special cases

4

working in Portugal: job sectors on the rise

The labour market in Portugal offers many job opportunities for foreigners. If you speak Portuguese, it will be even easier to find a job in Portugal.

Currently, the sectors with the highest demand in Portugal are:

Currently, the most attractive sectors to work in Portugal are, in ascending order:

1. health

2. tourismaccommodation, leisure and entertainment

3. information technologyconsulting and telecommunications

4. fmcg and food industry

5. aviation

melhores cidades para viver em portugal
melhores cidades para viver em portugal
5

looking for a job in Portugal

You can find job opportunities in Portugal through various channels: job sites, recruitment agencies, on the companies' own websites, and on professional social networks.

At Randstad Portugal we have a wide range of vacancies available, in different sectors of activity and for different skills and qualifications. Here you can find temporary and permanent job vacancies, with an employment contract with us or directly with the client.

Not sure which career is best for you?

If none of the careers presented in the point above (Working in Portugal: job sectors on the rise) suit your profile, you can always consult our career encyclopaedia to discover the different roles and areas you can explore in Portugal.

careers encyclopaedia

If you know what career you want to pursue, and you have already found several vacancies at Randstad for which you would like to apply, these are the next steps in your application:

  1. create your profile in MyProfile. It is important that you enter or update your profile with as much information and previous experience as possible. The more complete your profile is, the better.
  2. if your profile matches what we're looking for, one of our recruitment specialists will be in touch to discuss your application and career goals.
  3. then we need to do compliance checks, keeping you up to date.
  4. our team will arrange an interview or, if we find an opportunity more in line with your profile, we'll suggest alternatives.
  5. before the interview(s) we'll make sure you're fully prepared, and that you know all about what's ahead.
  6. if you are chosen - congratulations! - the team will make sure you have all the information you need and your questions answered, so that your first day at your new job and your new work experience will be a success!
  7. if you were not selected, don't be discouraged! There is an opportunity for everyone, you just need to find it. In the meantime, learn how to overcome the rejection of your job application.

checklist for evaluating a job proposal

evaluating a job proposal

other useful content for a successful job search

6

cultural and social aspects

Are you sure you are coming to live and work in Portugal? Here are some more cultural and social aspects that are important to ensure a successful integration.

portugal - comida, cultura, cidades
portugal - comida, cultura, cidades
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FAQs

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about work in Portugal for foreigners.