Living in Portugal: Working and Employment in Portugal

Portugal is a beautiful country that is perfect for Indians to live and work in. More and more tech companies that are located in Portugal are looking to hire people from all parts of the world. But don’t worry if you are not into IT or related fields, there are many jobs in Portugal that are available for other people and fields as well. For instance, the tourism sector has a lot of jobs in Portugal for Indians as well as foreigners. These are especially great for people who know or are willing to learn multiple languages. 

This article will cover how you can find a job in Portugal and how to survive in this nation.

As a Foreigner how to Secure a Job in Portugal

There are many options for foreigners through which they can get a job in Portugal with Visa sponsorship. You just need to learn how to beat the competition. But before that, you need to understand whether you are truly eligible to work in Portugal or not as a foreigner. 

Eligibility and Requirements for Foreigners to Work in Portugal

European citizens do not need a visa or a work permit to live and work European citizens do not require a work permit or a visa to work in Portugal- they just have to visit the city hall, register their address, and then get a tax number. But if you are someone from another nation such as India, you need to apply for a Visa. For a visa, you need documents such as either a job contract or a promise for a job contract. Once you get these, you can also apply for a residence permit in the nation. 

Career Opportunities

Here are a few career opportunities that are available for foreigners in Portugal. There are many types of jobs available for foreigners in this nation including jobs in Portugal with accommodation. Choose wisely. Do remember, that knowing Portuguese can increase your chances of getting a job in Portugal by manifolds. However, as the number of international companies is increasing in Portugal, more and more people from other nations are being welcomed in the nation. 

There are many job opportunities for foreigners in fields such as marketing, IT, tech jobs, online jobs, tourism, and real estate. In fact, if you want to get a job with the hospitality industry, it is a must to know and speak good English. Do remember that many Portuguese people themselves speak English pretty well, so you need to have other languages or skills to stand out.

While there are many job opportunities in Portugal, the one thing that you need to remember is that the best way to start a career in Portugal is getting a job before you move to the country. You can find a lot of career opportunities online. You can find them at places such as the company websites. Ideally, you should make a list of all the companies that you find interesting and lucrative and visit their online pages from time to time so that you can know whether there are any openings or not. 

Applying For A Job in Portugal

The best way to get a job in Portugal as an Indian is to adapt yourself according to the job market of Portugal. You can create a CV in such a way that it suits the Portugal market. 

Portuguese people generally prefer shorter CVs but in some cases, you may have to elaborate on certain details such as technical skills. Regardless, it is recommended to avoid making your CV more than three pages long. 

Your CV should ideally have your nationality, name, date of birth, and city where you reside. You may also add a picture to your CV. Do add your professional social media and contact details. There is no need to include your full address and marital status. 

If you do not speak Portuguese, it is recommended to submit your CV in English. 

Cover Letter

Cover letters are not necessary for all jobs, but generally, jobs based around the communication market may ask for cover letters. 

Interview Tips

An important aspect to remember about the Portuguese job market is that they pay a lot of importance to presentation. It is always better to look more formal than to be lambasted about not being professional enough. You may also choose your attire according to the culture of the company where you plan to apply. 

Greet your superiors with a firm handshake and avoid any form of informal greeting method such as kissing on the cheek in a professional setting. 

Average Salary

The average salary in Portugal is quite subjective and it can be anywhere between 900 EUR to 2000 EUR. The salary changes according to your qualifications and education.

The average rent in Portugal is 1,100 EUR. This means you need to earn at least 1,500 EUR per month to live a fairly comfortable life. 

For highly skilled professionals, the average annual salary can be around 22,500 EUR.

The minimum salary in Portugal is 600 EUR and it is not subjected to taxation however, you will still have to pay social security. 

Business Culture

Portugal has a fairly balanced business culture. Portuguese tend to separate their professional and personal life pretty well. The culture, however, can vary quite significantly between industries and companies.

Working Days and Hours

The schedules in Portugal are set according to the standards of the companies, but it is necessary to have at least 40 working hours divided in a week starting from Monday to Friday. Generally, the work schedule begins at nine in the morning and ends somewhere around 18:30. This includes a lunch break. You won’t be made to work on the weekends unless your contract explicitly states so. 

Social Security

The social security number in Portugal allows you to enjoy all the rights and perks that are allocated to taxpayers. These include invalidity benefits, free health care, paternity, unemployment, etc. Foreigners can also register for a social security number if they stay in Portugal. 

The social security number is known as NISS or Numero de Identificacao de Seguranca Social in Portugal. It is an 11-digit number. 

When you start working in a company in Portugal, your employer will inform the social security right at the beginning of your work contract. You must provide your visa to your employer so that they can prove to the authorities that you have entered Portugal legally.

If you decide to be self-employed, then you need to register for the social security number yourself. Foreigners are not given a social security card like Portuguese citizens. You will be provided a piece of paper that you must keep secure.