Working in Portugal

Unlike many other destinations, working in Portugal is hardly a hook for expats looking to move to this Mediterranean country. In fact, many relocate here to escape the faster business cultures of their own home countries. These include retirees and professionals that would sacrifice higher wages for a better quality of life.

Job market in Portugal

If you do move to Portugal for employment, you can find the transition difficult, as the country's bureaucracy can make acquiring licences and certifications a slow process. Although Portugal has historically been known for relatively high unemployment rates and lower wages, the country's labour market is slowly improving. Still, many locals settle for some abbreviated version of self-employment.

Much of Portuguese industry is in manufacturing, which has a limited need or attraction for expat workers, but burgeoning technology and alternative energy industries are beginning to take root in the country as well. The healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors offer opportunities for qualified professionals. 

You can also find opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in regions like The Algarve. Multilingual newcomers can explore the growing call centre and customer service sectors. 

Useful links

• Institute of Employment and Vocational Training

Finding a job in Portugal

Those lucky enough to secure a job before relocating will find that the businesses usually take care of most of the groundwork. Expats planning on taking the self-employed route or those who move without a job opportunity will have much more difficulty beginning a business and navigating the waters of foreign affairs.

If you want to find work in Portugal, the best method to begin the job hunt will be through word of mouth. Many positions never even reach the press for advertisement and are rather marketed through social connections and friendship networks.

You may also find that the expat community often prefers hiring service providers from a similar part of the world, so it's worthwhile to cultivate acquaintances in these circles. Many have made a living in Portugal working strictly for expats like themselves.

EU citizens can live and work in Portugal without a visa. That said, they will still need their passport, proof of address, and proof of sufficient resources or employment to obtain their residence certificate, known as a Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (CRUE). Nationals of other countries must obtain both a visa and work permit to legally work in Portugal. 

Visas for Portugal

Useful links

• Empregos Online
• Net-empregos
• LinkedIn

Work culture in Portugal

The Portuguese business culture tends to be hierarchical and focuses on relationships. This focus on relationship building sometimes means that things happen slower than most expats are used to. The work culture is also generally relaxed, with flexible deadlines and schedules, so this is something else to keep in mind. 

Employees show respect to superiors and should always use titles like 'Senhor' and 'Senhora' when speaking to colleagues. Appearances are important to local businesspeople. You should try to wear formal, neat and conservative clothing.

You would also do well to learn at least basic Portuguese before arriving in your new home base, as this will go a long way when building a business network in Portugal. The work day in Portugal typically begins at 9am and ends at 6pm, with an hour-long lunch break, which can be longer in some companies. 

Business Culture in Portugal