How do I get a job in Portugal?

Portugal’s job market is the strongest it has been in years, with unemployment at its lowest since 2011. But pay is much lower than in the UK, many jobs need Portuguese, and since Brexit you need a visa that lets you work.

The job market by region

In the second quarter of 2026, unemployment fell to 5.3%, the lowest since the current series began in 2011, and a record 5.4 million people were in work (INE).

Madeira had the lowest rate in the country and the Setúbal Peninsula, south of Lisbon, the highest.

Can you work there?

Unless you lived in Portugal before 1 January 2021 (Withdrawal Agreement rights), you need a visa and residence permit that allow work. GOV.UK lists the main routes for a Portuguese employer:

• EU Blue Card: a contract of at least 1 year, a degree-level qualification or 5 years’ experience, and a minimum salary set by the authorities. Can take up to 2 months
• Highly qualified activity, including the Tech Visa programme for certified companies: up to 90 days
• Subordinate work (an ordinary job): a contract with the Portuguese employer and, for regulated jobs, a professional certificate: up to 90 days
• You apply for a residence visa at the consulate (through VFS in the UK), then register for tax and social security and apply to AIMA. You can work while AIMA decides
• A visa for qualified job seekers, valid only in Portugal, is being created under Law 61/2025, for people with specialised technical skills
• Working remotely for employers outside Portugal is the D8 route instead: see Which Portuguese visa do I need?

Some employers also ask for a UK police certificate or a Portuguese criminal record certificate. Partners’ work rights are in The partner at home.

Which sectors hire

EURES, the EU job network, lists tourism and hospitality as the biggest area of demand: waiting and bar staff, chefs, receptionists and housekeeping. It also lists lorry drivers, bricklayers, cleaners, care workers, sales representatives and metal workers. EURES adds that shared-service centres, customer service and many IT companies hire people without Portuguese if their English is good.

Where to look

• Net-Empregos, one of the biggest Portuguese job boards
• iefponline, the public employment service (IEFP)
• LinkedIn, especially for tech, finance and international companies
• Employers’ own career pages and recruitment agencies in your field
• Check whether an advert needs you to already hold the right to work

What jobs pay

Average gross monthly pay per job in June 2026 (INE). The “total” figure includes some extras, such as part of the holiday payment, so it is higher than the usual monthly salary.

Salaries are usually quoted as a gross monthly figure paid 14 times a year: 12 months plus holiday and Christmas payments (see What’s it like to work in Portugal?). So the minimum wage is €12,880 a year (about £10,915), and an average regular salary works out at roughly €20,100 a year (about £17,040). The UK full-time median was £39,039 in April 2025. The highest-paying sector was electricity and gas supply, at €3,896 a month. Compare offers with the pay calculator and read Is my Portuguese job offer a good one?

Language

EURES says Portuguese is often not needed in shared-service centres, customer service for other markets and many IT companies, if your English is good. It is very important for jobs dealing with the public or working closely in a Portuguese team. Regulated professions such as medicine also test your Portuguese: see Will my UK qualifications be recognised?