Work In Portugal Without Portuguese
Finding the right job can be difficult, especially if you’re considering moving abroad, because many jobs require specific language skills and a specialty. On the other hand, those who plan to visit Portugal and establish residency won’t have to worry a lot because there are numerous job opportunities for foreigners in Portugal.
This article will provide you with an overview of jobs for foreigners and expats in Portugal as well as the Portuguese labor market.
How To Find Work In Portugal As A Foreigner
Whether you are a student looking for a quick summer job, a digital nomad looking for a remote work opportunity, or a permanent resident looking to start a career in Portugal, you should be aware of some key facts about the Portuguese job market and the industries that are open to expats. You will be able to make the most informed decisions about future job opportunities in the country this way.
The Job Market In Portugal
The accessibility of the Portuguese job market varies depending on whether you speak English or Portuguese, as many opportunities rely heavily on soft language skills. Having said that, an increasing number of businesses are establishing themselves in Portugal, with a particular need for fluent English speakers.
In general, Portuguese speakers will have more job opportunities in specialized fields such as architects, accountants, engineers, doctors, and lawyers. There are still a number of high-demand occupations that require English speakers. For example, in the software and IT industries, where the labor market is open to foreign applicants, there are many job openings for developers in Lisbon.
Lisbon, in particular, has developed into a startup hub in the last five years, increasing the number of English-speaking opportunities for foreigners. The Web Summit undoubtedly contributed to this increase in startup activity. However, the startup industry isn’t the only one thriving in the country; you’ll notice that Portugal’s tourism industry is thriving as well, making it easy to find an English-speaking job there.
Restaurants, bars, and hotels are always on the lookout for English speakers, especially in tourist hotspots like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Your only true qualification would be your command of the English language.
Even if you only have a basic understanding of Portuguese, your chances of finding work in the tourism industry will improve significantly. Wages may not match the ones in other countries’ hospitality industries, owing to the fact that average salaries in Portugal are generally lower than in other countries.
If, on the other hand, you want simple summer jobs that will enable you to spend your free time exploring the city and then relaxing on the beach, you might consider working for one of the many call centers based in Lisbon. The only requirements for working in customer service centers in Portugal are the ability to communicate in another European language or English.
Where Can Foreigners Find Work In Portugal?
English-speaking jobs are plentiful in the IT sector, tourism and hospitality industries, multinational corporations, customer service centers, and language schools. Because several of these positions require a high level of English proficiency, being a native speaker gives you a significant advantage.
Being bilingual or, better yet, trilingual has additional advantages. Portugal is home to major international corporations such as Google, Amazon, and Uber. Speaking other European languages and English will be a significant advantage for all of these occupations in Portugal because they all emphasize hard and soft skills, including verbal and communication skills. The majority of these companies will also require a college degree.
Some of the most in-demand jobs in Portugal for expats include:
- Sales representatives
- Web developers (backend and frontend)
- Waitstaff
- Customer service representatives (not only in call centers but also in multinational companies with established offices in Portugal)
- Bartenders
- Team supervisors
- Mobile test engineers
- Online gaming support
- Project managers
- Real estate agents
- Accountants
- Interpreters and translators
Remember: Many companies are looking for people who speak German, French, or Spanish, for example. Speaking and writing in two or more languages is a distinct advantage in Portugal.
Call Center Jobs In Portugal For Foreigners
Getting a call center job is extremely simple and requires almost no qualifications. You only need to be able to communicate in English. Any additional language is advantageous. Furthermore, you’ll need to keep your cool because cold calling all day can entail long hours and a difficult job.
The majority of call centers are concentrated in Lisbon and Porto. Below are a few of the most important:
Connecta Group
Connecta Group (website in Portuguese) has offices in both Lisbon and Viseu. This is one of Portugal’s most well-known customer service centers. In addition to Portuguese speakers, they require English and Spanish speakers. They employ over 400 people and accept applications directly through their website.
Teleperformance
Teleperformance is a global call center with locations in Lisbon, Porto, Setbal, and Convilh.
You can easily search for jobs on the website and filter your results by language, including:
- German
- Russian
- Arabic
- Spanish
- Italian
Roles with Teleperformance are at times directly for the company and sometimes for organizations such as Microsoft – and are not limited to customer support but also include other positions. Salaries start at €9 per hour, depending on the role, and employees generally enjoy working there.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is an excellent place to look for a job if you enjoy traveling, and who doesn’t? On their website, you can look for call center jobs as well as other types of openings. TAP is a well-known company with hundreds of employees.
Apple
Apple, the iconic American company, also has a permanent support center in Portugal. They always seek intelligent, dedicated individuals who want to work for one of the world’s largest corporations. Salaries in the assistance center range from €9 to €10 per hour. It all depends on the job, and positions are available in multiple Portuguese cities.
Sitel
Sitel is one of the largest call centers in Portugal, with the most opportunities, primarily in Lisbon and Porto. With over 10,000 jobs worldwide, this company almost always looks for more employees. Salaries begin at €9 per hour, and the working environment is casual.
English-Speaking Jobs For Expatriates In Portugal
Foreign nationals are increasingly finding work in Portugal, particularly in IT and technology firms. Because code is written in English, having a strong command of the language is usually required for these positions. Another option is to look for international companies with established offices in Portugal and apply for opportunities that are only available in English.
Some of the larger co-working spaces in Lisbon, such as Second Home Lisboa, Startup Lisboa, and Heden, may be good places to hang out. You might even get hired if you talk to an entrepreneur or founder in a coffee shop.
Seasonal Jobs For English Speakers
Unsurprisingly, it is easier to find English-speaking jobs in Portugal during the summer vacation. Many Algarve hostels, hotels, surf camps, and restaurants, for example, will compete for summer employees, particularly those with a strong command of English.
Language Teaching Positions In Portugal For Foreigners
English-speaking jobs can be found at educational institutions throughout Portugal, such as teaching English to a group of students via a school or privately. Many administrative positions are also available, though some may require Portuguese as well.
The following are the key players in Portuguese English language teaching jobs:
- Royal School of Languages
- British Council
- Wall Street English (website in Portuguese)
- Oxford School (website in Portuguese)
To better your chances of getting these roles, you may want to take a TOEFL — Teaching Of English as a Foreign Language — course.
Freelance Jobs For Expatriates In Portugal
Many digital nomads nowadays find the combination of freelancing and living in Portugal to be extremely appealing. They can work flexible hours while exploring an enthralling country and living there for as long as the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is valid currently.
The majority of freelance opportunities for Portuguese companies are in the:
- Marketing
- Graphic design
- Social media management
- Copywriting and content creation
In addition, freelance work as a translator can be very lucrative.
If you make the choice of this as your line of work while in Portugal, keep in mind that the pay may not be as high as you expect. Instead, consider freelancing for companies in other countries.
If you want to work for a reputable company, Global Citizen Solutions, you have several options, many of which are suitable for freelancers. So, Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment consultancy that assists expats in locating the best residency or citizenship by investment program for them. You can find the most recent open positions on their career page, which is linked below.
Working Conditions And Salaries in Portugal
A full-time job in Portugal is roughly 40 hours per week or eight hours per day.
Portugal’s minimum wage is currently €822.5 per month based on 12 payments per year or simply €665 based on 14 payments, which is lower than the majority of its EU counterparts. These types of salaries will be relevant in the tourism and hospitality sectors and customer service centers. However, tips can significantly increase your income depending on where you work in hospitality.
Don’t be discouraged; your pay will skyrocket if you work in a startup or professional service.
Do I Need A Work Visa?
Working in Portugal does not require a visa if you are an EU citizen. It is only required for people who are not citizens of the European Union.
Most Common Types Of Portugal Visas
Below are the more common types of Portugal Visas:
- Schengen Visa (Short-term visa or Tourist visa);
- Study Visa;
- Work Visa;
- Tech Visa;
- StartUP Visa;
- D2 Visa;
- D7 Visa; and
- Golden Visa.
Schengen Visa For Portugal
We covered almost everything about the Schengen Visa above, but just to remind you, it is valid for 90 days and can be used to enter Portugal, travel inside the Schengen Area, and enjoy the benefits.
All of the official requirements and forms for the Schengen Visa can be found here.
Study Visa For Portugal
You may need to apply for a Temporary Stay Visa or a Residency Visa, depending on the length of your studies.
Here is the specific documentation for a visa to study in Portugal.
Work Visa For Portugal
This is the visa you will need if you want to work as a subordinate in Portugal, as the name implies.
If you plan to work in Portugal for 90 days to a year, you will need a Temporary Stay Visa. Otherwise, you must apply for a Residency Visa by meeting the requirements listed here.
Tech Visa
The Tech Visa is a novel and exciting type of visa for Portugal.
Beginning in January 2019, IT businesses have been able to hire workers from outside the EU/Schengen Area in order to attract as many creative brains as possible and bring them into the nation from all over the world.
Businesses that qualify can recruit people from all over the world and provide them with the opportunity to work in Portugal. These companies can have 50% to 80% of their employees from abroad who can come to Portugal using the Tech Visa, depending on where they are located in Portugal.
StartUP Visa
If you want to open a startup business in Portugal, you can apply for a Startup Visa. Keep in mind, however, that in order to receive the Startup Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- IAPMEI must approve its economic potential (the website is in Portuguese).
- Create innovative products OR create innovative manufacturing or service activities.
- Make qualified job openings.
- Have the potential to achieve a turnover of more than €325,000 per year and/or an asset value of more than €325,000 per year five years after the incubation period.
You can apply for the Startup Visa by clicking here.
D2 Visa
If you are an entrepreneur who wishes to conduct business and reside in Portugal, you can apply for a D2 visa.
This visa may be for you if you already have a business or if you want to start a small business, a startup, or any other project in Portugal.
In addition to the standard documentation required when applying for a Residency Visa, you must meet at least one of the legal requirements below:
- Have financial resources available in Portugal
- Have already invested in Portugal
- Demonstrate your intent to invest in Portugal.
To apply for a D2 Visa, contact SEF.
D7 Visa
The D7 Visa will allow you to relocate to Portugal and live off the income from your retirement fund or any foreign investments you have.
In addition to all of the required documents, you will be required to show proof of financial means. As the bare minimum of proof of means, you must provide the following:
The first adult applicant will be paid €600 (100% of the national minimum wage) per month for a total of €7,200 per year.
The second adult applicant: €300 (50 percent of the national minimum wage) x 12 months = €3,600 per year.
Every family member under the age of 18: €180 (30% of the national minimum wage) x 12 months = €2,160 per year.
This is the bare minimum you must have each year in order to be eligible for the D7 Visa for Portugal. However, you must keep in mind that the higher your income, the more likely your application will be accepted.
Golden Visa Portugal
The Golden Visa program is intended to attract investors from all over the world and encourage them to invest in Portugal. This program is ideal for those with a large amount of capital to invest in Portugal.
At least one of the following conditions has to be fulfilled:
- In Portugal, at least €350,000 will be invested in scientific research.
- A minimum of €250,000 will be invested in Portuguese arts, culture, and heritage.
- Investment of at least €500,000 in Portugal’s small and medium-sized businesses.
- The acquisition of a property in Portugal worth at least €500,000.
- Purchase of at least €350,000 in real estate property in Portuguese urban regeneration areas that is at least 30 years old.
- At least ten new jobs will be created in Portugal.
- Transfer one million euros to Portugal.
If you are eligible, you will receive the Residency Permit and all of the benefits that come with it; additionally, if you live in Portugal for less than 183 days every year, you will be exempt from paying taxes on any worldwide income.
Where Can Foreigners Find Jobs In Portugal?
Here are some useful websites with daily job postings for foreigners:
- Indeed
- Hays (website in Portuguese)
- Jobs in Lisbon
- Top Language Jobs
- Learn4Good
- Glassdoor
- Net Empregos (website in Portuguese)
- Empregos Online (website in Portuguese)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types Of Jobs are In Portugal?
Tourism and hospitality-related jobs are among the most popular in Portugal. There are numerous job opportunities available in retail, dining, customer service, resorts, and hotels. IT jobs in Portugal are also on the rise, and call center work is almost always available.
Is It Necessary To Speak Portuguese In Order To Work In Portugal?
No, you do not have to be fluent in Portuguese to work in Portugal. There are numerous job opportunities for non-Portuguese speakers, particularly in hospitality and tourism. There are almost always call center jobs available if you are conversational in a language other than English.
Is It Easy For A Foreigner To Find Work In Portugal?
Yes, foreigners who speak English and other European languages can quickly find jobs in Portugal that include housing. This is especially true if you can work with customer service centers willing to relocate them, such as Teleperformance.
What Types Of Jobs Are Available In Portugal?
Many IT and educational institution jobs are available in Portugal.
What Jobs In Portugal Pay Well?
Careers in the hotel business, computer technology, technology, and teaching all pay well, especially if you have a higher degree and are fluent English speakers.
How Can I Find Work In Portugal?
There are many online jobs in Portugal, especially for English speakers, that can help you relocate, such as working in a customer service center. Alternatively, those who speak English may be able to find tourism jobs in Portugal.