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 |
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.
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.
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) |
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.
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
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)
Engineers play a key role in building and improving Portugal's infrastructure and energy sectors.
Average Salary: ~€22,584/year
Accountants and finance experts are vital for managing companies' financial health.
Average Accountant Salary: €38,819/year
HR specialists help manage talent and maintain good employee relations across different workplaces.
Estimated Salary: ~€22,584–30,000+/year
Managers in hospitality focus on guest experiences in Portugal's busy tourism industry.
Average Salary: ~€25,200+/year
Roles in digital marketing and corporate sales are essential for business growth.
Average Salary: ~€24,000–33,600/year
Nurses are crucial to the healthcare system and are offered competitive pay.
Average Salary: €31,232/year (range €22,092–38,574)
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)
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If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen looking to work in Portugal, you will need to meet some official requirements:
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.
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In Portugal, there's a strong need for workers in IT, healthcare, construction, tourism, and education. The government has noted that jobs in high demand are:
Note: Portugal has also launched the Programa Integrar to help foreign job seekers get into these important sectors.
If you are not from the EU or EEA, you will need a work visa to work legally in Portugal. Some basic requirements include:
Note: For some jobs, there might be a check to ensure there are no suitable local or EU candidates available. Once everything is approved, you will need to apply for a Type D visa at a Portuguese consulate and then get a residence permit when you arrive.
Some of the most sought-after jobs in Portugal are as follows:
Note: These jobs often show up on skills shortage lists and are given priority under integration programs.
To qualify for a Portuguese work visa, you should:
Note: Once in Portugal, you will need to apply for a residence permit within the validity of your visa.
You can follow the below steps to apply for a work visa in Portugal:
Step 1: Get a job contract with a Portuguese company.
Step 2: Your employer will request work authorization from the relevant authorities.
Step 3: Apply for a Type D work visa at the Portuguese consulate.
Step 4: After getting authorization, you can travel to Portugal and register for a residence permit at the local immigration office.
Step 5: You need that residence permit to live and work in Portugal beyond your initial visa.
Portugal has a pretty easygoing lifestyle and is inexpensive to live there compared to many Western countries, which makes it a great choice for locals and expats alike. The table below has a general overview of the average cost of living in Portugal:
| Category | Cost (€/month) | Cost (USD/month) |
| Single Person (excluding rent) | € 682 | $786 |
| Family of Four (excluding rent) | € 2,413 | $2,780 |
| Average 2‑Bedroom Rent | € 1,220 | $1,320 |
| Lisbon 1‑Bedroom City Centre Rent | € 1,408 | Estimated $1,600 |
Some of the benefits of working in Portugal are as follows:
If you have been working legally in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency if you:
Once you have permanent residency, you can live and work there indefinitely, access social services, and travel freely within the Schengen Area. You might even be able to apply for citizenship after six years.
In Portugal, average salaries change based on the job, industry, and location. Skilled workers, especially in IT, engineering, and healthcare, can earn more than the national median.
The table below has details of the top 5 occupations along with the average monthly and annual salaries:
| Occupation/Category | Average Gross Monthly Salary (€) | Average Gross Annual Salary (€) |
| National Average (All Sectors) | € 1,203 | € 14,436 |
| IT & Software Professionals | €2,300 – €4,000 | €27,600 – €48,000 |
| Engineers (varied fields) | €1,800 – €3,500 | €21,600 – €42,000 |
| Healthcare Professionals | €1,600 – €3,000 | €19,200 – €36,000 |
| Teachers | €1,300 – €2,100 | €15,600 – €25,200 |
| Hospitality Workers | €900 – €1,400 | €10,800 – €16,800 |
