Top in-Demand Occupations in Portugal

Portugal's job market is looking for professionals in fields like tech, healthcare, tourism, construction, and education. Jobs like software developers, nurses, electricians, and hospitality workers are in high demand, with over 100,000 openings expected each year until 2026, as reported by the European Labour Authority.

The table below has details of the top in-demand occupations in Portugal along with their average annual salaries:

Occupation	Average Annual Salary
IT and Software	€ 30,000
Engineering	€ 28,174
Accounting and Finance	€ 25,500
Human Resource Management	€ 30,000
Hospitality	€ 24,000
Sales and Marketing	€ 19,162
Healthcare	€ 19,800
STEM	€ 38,000
Teaching	€ 24,000
Nursing	€ 25,350

 

Why Work in Portugal?

Portugal is a great place to live and work. It has a relaxed vibe, low cost of living, and there's a growing need for skilled workers in different fields. With more companies investing and job opportunities increasing, it is becoming a popular spot for those looking to work abroad.

• There are expected to be over 100,000 job openings each year until 2026.
• The average monthly salary is around €1,350, with better pay in sectors like tech, finance, and healthcare.
• Expats can benefit from personal income tax breaks under the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) scheme.
• It’s one of the top 5 safest countries in the world, according to the 2024 Global Peace Index.
• Work-life balance is excellent, with 22 paid vacation days and public holidays.

Migrate with a Portugal Work Visa

The Portugal Work Visa lets non-EU citizens live and work in Portugal legally if they have a job offer from a Portuguese company. It is meant for skilled workers who meet the necessary qualifications. The Portuguese work visa is a step toward temporary residency, which you can extend later on, even leading to permanent residency or citizenship down the line. With more job opportunities in various fields and a great quality of life, Portugal is becoming a popular choice for people looking to work abroad.

*Looking to migrate to Portugal? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis to guide you with the steps.

 

Types of Portugal work visas

Portugal has different work visas for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and even seasonal employees. These visas allow you to live and work in Portugal legally and can help you eventually get long-term residency or citizenship.

The table below has details of the Portugal work visas along with the average annual salaries:

Visa Type	Who is it for?	Validity
Temporary Stay Visa (Work Purposes)	For foreigners here on short-term projects or assignments	Up to 1 year (renewable)
Residence Visa for Subordinate Work	For non-EU citizens with a job offer from a Portuguese employer	4 months (leads to residence permit)
Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3 Visa)	For professionals in high-demand fields like tech, science, or engineering	4 months (residence permit up to 2 years, renewable)
Tech Visa	For skilled tech workers at certified Portuguese tech companies	4 months (residence permit renewable for up to 5 years)
Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Visa	For those wanting to start or run a business in Portugal	4 months (residence permit renewable)
Seasonal Work Visa	For temporary workers in sectors like agriculture or tourism	Up to 9 months
Job Seeker Visa	For foreigners looking for jobs in Portugal (no job offer needed)	120 days (extendable by 60 days)

List of High-Demand Jobs in Portugal

Portugal's job market is booming in areas like tech, healthcare, finance, education, and hospitality, creating plenty of chances for skilled workers to earn good money.

1. IT & Software Developer / Engineer Jobs in Portugal

There's high demand for developers and engineers in the tech scene as companies go digital. 

Average Salary: €23,149/year 

Salary Range: €14,000 to €41,000/year 

2. Senior Software Engineer / .NET Developer Jobs in Portugal

Senior engineers, particularly with .NET skills, tend to earn more in major cities. 

Senior Software Engineer: €48,914/year (range €27,000–82,000) 

Senior .NET Developer: €33,902/year (range €21,000–63,000) 

3. Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) Jobs in Portugal

Engineers play a key role in building and improving Portugal's infrastructure and energy sectors. 

Average Salary: ~€22,584/year 

4. Accounting & Finance Professionals Jobs in Portugal

Accountants and finance experts are vital for managing companies' financial health. 

Average Accountant Salary: €38,819/year 

5. Human Resources Professionals Jobs in Portugal

HR specialists help manage talent and maintain good employee relations across different workplaces. 

Estimated Salary: ~€22,584–30,000+/year 

6. Hospitality Managers Jobs in Portugal

Managers in hospitality focus on guest experiences in Portugal's busy tourism industry. 

Average Salary: ~€25,200+/year 

7. Sales & Marketing Professionals Jobs in Portugal

Roles in digital marketing and corporate sales are essential for business growth. 

Average Salary: ~€24,000–33,600/year 

8. Registered Nurses Jobs in Portugal

Nurses are crucial to the healthcare system and are offered competitive pay. 

Average Salary: €31,232/year (range €22,092–38,574) 

9. Teaching & Educational Jobs in Portugal

Teachers, especially in STEM and languages, are important in schools and training programs. 

Average Salary: ~€20,000+/year (TEFL roles usually €1,657–1,800/month) 

*Want to work in Portugal? Sign up with Y-Axis to help you with the process.

 

Requirements to Work in Portugal

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen looking to work in Portugal, you will need to meet some official requirements:

• Job Offer: You need a valid job contract from a Portuguese employer for a position that's been approved by the IEFP.
• Employer's Application: Your employer has to apply for a Labour Market Test and get a Work Permit from the IEFP or SEF.
• Qualifications: You must show proof of your education or any professional qualifications that relate to the job.
• Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after your planned stay and must be accompanied by recent passport photos.
• Housing and Finances: You will need to show you have somewhere to stay and enough money to support yourself, according to SEF standards.
• Insurance: It's crucial to have health or travel insurance that covers your entire stay, especially while your visa is being processed.
• Clean Record: You will need a certificate proving you have no criminal record from your home country and any other places you have lived.
• Expression of Interest (IEFP): If you are applying for a Job Seeker Visa, you have to declare your interest to the IEFP before submitting your visa application.
• Residence Visa (Type D): After getting your work permit, you need to apply for this visa at a Portuguese embassy or consulate, providing all necessary documents.
• Residence Permit (SEF): Within four months after entering with your Type D visa, you must apply for a working residence permit at SEF.

 

How to Apply for a Job in Portugal?

You can follow the below steps to apply for a job in Portugal:

Step 1: Look for job openings on sites like IEFP, Net-Empregos, or LinkedIn.

Step 2: Create your CV in the Europass format and write a personalized cover letter.

Step 3: Apply for jobs through job sites or the company's website.

Step 4: Get a job offer from a company in Portugal.

Step 5: The employer applies for your work authorization through IEFP or SEF.

Step 6: Go to the Portuguese consulate in your country to apply for a Type D work visa.

Step 7: Fly to Portugal and get a residence permit from SEF.

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis is the world's No.1 overseas Immigration consultant, providing unbiased and innovative immigration assistance for 25+ years.

Our team of experts will assist you with:

• Filling out the application form
• Assistance to migrate abroad
• Assistance to work abroad.
• Arranging the requirements
• Looking for jobs in Portugal? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one!