Working in Portugal

If you come from the UK or one of the countries that make up the European Economic Area (EEA) which are the 25 member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein and you're considering working in Portugal you have exactly the same rights as Portuguese nationals when it comes to employment.

If you come from the UK or one of the countries that make up the European Economic Area (EEA) which are the 25 member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein and you’re considering working in Portugal you have exactly the same rights as Portuguese nationals when it comes to employment.

If you have an understanding of Portuguese and have your qualifications translated by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre into Portuguese equivalents before travelling to Portugal to seek employment you will find the task of locating a job all the more easy.

Those wishing to find work in Portugal can go about the task in a number of ways.  Firstly you can begin before you actually move to Portugal by using the internet to search for suitable vacancies or potential employers.  You can also contact local and Portuguese employment agencies and present them with your CV and covering letter which should details the types of work you’re qualified for and are seeking.

Once you move to Portugal you can also make use of the Portuguese employment service or Centro do Emprego which is a government agency and where you’ll find details of jobs available, training courses you’re eligible for etc.

Once you move you can remain living in Portugal for up to three months so long as you have a valid 10 year passport and are from one of the EEA countries as previously mentioned.  After your three months are up, if you wish to remain living and working in Portugal you have to apply for your residency permit which is called an autorizaca de residencia and which can be obtained from the local Servicio de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras.  Furthermore you should ensure you carry an ID card at all times and forms for the application of a Portuguese ID card can be applied for from your nation’s consulate offices and should be submitted to the local council.

With all your permissions in place you’re free to continue working in Portugal or seeking employment.  If you become resident and fully employed in Portugal you will have to pay income tax and for this you will need a tax number or Carta de Contribuinte which you can get from the local tax office.

Other important employment facts and issues to bear in mind - in Portugal there is a minimum wage, you cannot legally work over 40 hours a week, holiday entitlement is a minimum of 22 days annually and if you herald from one of the EEA countries as previously detailed you are entitled to set up a business and become self-employed in Portugal.

The National Academic Recognition Information Centre will translate qualifications into their Portuguese equivalents but when it comes to professional and occupational qualifications there is another system in place for the mutual recognition of qualifications in all EEA countries to remove the need for any professional to have to re-qualify to work abroad.  The system is known as the General System for Mutual Recognition and you should apply for assessment if you wish to continue you in your profession when you move to Portugal.

Moving abroad is a large undertaking; laws, customs and the entire way of life in Portugal may well differ greatly from what you are used to.  But don’t be discouraged from living your dream of a new life in Portugal, just arm yourself with as much information you can about Portugal and the Portuguese way of life before you move and keep as open a mind as possible so that you can immerse yourself in your new life and quickly settle down in Portugal.

If you’re going to be working in Portugal you will soon make new friends, contacts and business associates and chances are you will be in an environment where you can practice and improve your Portuguese language skills and this will help you greatly in your day to day life in your new country.