Portugal
Job market
What are my chances of getting a job?
The job market in Portugal depends heavily on tourism and the service sector now employs approximately half the working population. Most graduate jobs will tend to be located in the larger cities and unless you are looking to teach English, it is likely to be necessary to speak some Portuguese.
- Typical problems encountered: at the end of February 2010 there were 561 315 people registered as unemployed at job centres in Portugal. This figure is up 19.6% compared with February 2009 (EURES, August 2010). Unemployment is highest among women and young people.
- How to improve your chances: research the job market thoroughly so that you have realistic expectations.
- Language requirements: as a UK graduate, you will probably find it a challenge to get a job at any level in Portugal unless you speak Portuguese, particularly in occupations requiring contact with the public. Portuguese language courses are run in Portugal by many Portuguese institutions and organisations such as CESA Languages and the Eurolingua Institute . A knowledge of other languages, such as English, Spanish, French or German, may be an advantage, particularly in tourism.
Where can I work?
- Major industries: tourism, property and business services, hotel and catering, public services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, retail.
- Recent growth areas: call and contact centres and shared services centres.
- Shortage occupations: seasonal jobs in the tourism, hotel and catering sector; health sector - doctors (in various specialisms), information technology sector - particularly computer engineers. Call and contact centre management.
- Major companies: Re/Max Portugal, Deloitte, Martifer, McDonalds, Accenture, Pricewaterhousecoopers, Liberty Seguros, Mapfre, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft.
- Search for more companies: Kompass, British Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Guianet, Europages, Portuguese Yellow Pages (Paginas Amarelas) (in Portuguese and English), Paginas Brancas (Portuguese White Pages) (in Portuguese and English).
- Major cities: Lisbon (the capital and largest city), Porto, Vila Novo de Gaia, Amadora, Braga, Almada, Coimbra, Funchal.
What’s it like working in Portugal?
- Average working hours: 40 hours is the usual number of working hours in a week and it is also the legal maximum.
- Holidays: annual leave entitlement is 22 days, plus 13 national public or bank holidays and one council public holiday. Public holidays falling on a Saturday or a Sunday are not observed on the following Monday. Holidays are mainly taken during August, which leads to some factory shut downs.
- Salaries: the statutory minimum wage (retribuição mínima mensal garantida, RMMG) increased from €450 per month in 2009 to €475 per month in 2010. The overall average wage is €804.22.
- Tax rates: general rate tax and national insurance amounts to total deductions of around 25%.
- Working practices and customs: all employees receive a bonus of one month’s salary in June and at Christmas, so in effect they are paid 14 times their monthly salary each year.
Applying for jobs
How do I apply for a job?
To improve your chances of getting a graduate job, consider looking for a job at entry level which will allow you to work in Portugal and develop your language skills and at the same time make the most of any networking opportunities and develop contacts.
A working holiday or a temporary job in the tourism sector may provide a stepping-stone to more permanent work and could make finding and applying for graduate jobs easier as you will be in the country already.
Speculative applications are often accepted and can be an important route into employment for graduates but it is advisable to telephone to check before submitting. This enables you to introduce yourself, show your interest in the company and ask to whom you should send your application. Letters of application may be either typed or handwritten, but handwritten letters are more common for speculative applications. A response to an advertisement should be typed, short and simple.
Make use of informal methods of recruitment such as word of mouth and networking, especially when looking for employment with small and medium-sized companies. Emphasise the skills and experience that make you a suitable candidate for the job. Read the advertisement carefully to make sure you meet the requirements.
Copies of diplomas and references are not required at the application stage. Do not send them to the employer, but take them with you if you are invited for an interview.
The use of application forms is widespread in Portugal and they vary widely. Some ask for standard information, while others ask more open questions about previous experience. Online recruitment databases are commonplace, and many employers now have the capability of emailing job application forms and receiving completed applications via the internet.
Be aware if you are considering a move to Portugal to live and work, that there are certain bureaucratic processes to observe. For example, many professions require licence and certification. Prospective employers should be able to guide you through this but you should be proactive about checking requirements specific to the industry or sector you intend to work.
What kind of CV do I need?
A Portuguese CV is usually presented in reverse chronological order and can take up to a maximum of four pages. Clear presentation is required, with separately numbered sections.
Start with your personal details (name, date and place of birth, civil status, address, telephone number including the international access code, email address). If you have a driving licence, say so in this section. You should also include your national identity card number if you have one.
Continue with your education, professional training (a distinct category from university education), work experience, computer skills, and language skills (list languages in order of fluency).
Include a separate section for any specific training relevant to the job. This is important for Portuguese recruiters, who regard it as an indication that you were valued by your previous employers.
You can find examples of CVs and letters of application in Going to Live in Portugal: All you need to know to enjoy your new life in the sun.
What will the interview process be like?
The selection procedure may consist of several interviews and some psychological and technical tests. Aptitude and psychometric tests are sometimes used for candidates up to middle level management.
Will my qualifications be recognised?
To compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Portuguese qualifications, consult ENIC-NARIC.
Self-employment
If you are an EU national or a permanent resident with a residence card (autorização de residência), you can work in Portugal as a self-employed person or a sole trader.
If you want to be self-employed, you must meet certain legal requirements and register with the appropriate organisation.
For more details, consult:
Do I still need to pay UK tax and National Insurance?
If you are planning to live and work in Portugal, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Vacancy sources
Job websites
- EURES - European Job Mobility Portal - provides information about job vacancies, living and working conditions, and labour markets in Portugal, as well as a CV-posting service for jobseekers.
- Academic Jobs EU - part of the European Union (EU) network of websites and advertises academic jobs across the EU, including Portugal.
- The Portuguese Public Employment Service (Instituto do Emprego) - provides advice on training, opportunities and how to find work, as well as providing access to vacancies. The website is in Portuguese.
- Superemprego - online vacancy portal in Portuguese with a section for careers advice. You can post your CV and receive email alerts.
Newspapers
Other Portuguese newspapers can be accessed via Kidon Media-Link.
Vacancies sometimes appear in the UK press, e.g. in the Times Educational Supplement (TES) or The Guardian. These will mainly be either TEFL or language positions, or vacancies with UK companies based in Portugal.
Recruitment agencies
Hidden vacancies
Speculative applications are fairly common in Portugal. It is advisable, however, to telephone in advance in order to introduce yourself and demonstrate your interest in the company.
Go to job market for details of how to find companies for speculative applications.
Work experience
Work placements and internships
Exchange programmes
Your institution may be involved in the Leonardo da Vinci Programme through which vocational training exchanges and work placements are arranged with partner organisations in other countries. Contact your institution's international office or careers service for more information.
Teaching schemes
There are opportunities to teach English in Portugal with organisations such as International House Portugal. You can find a directory of language schools at ESL Base.
For more information about teaching in Portugal and the structure of the education system, visit Portuguese Ministry of Education. This site is in Portuguese.
Volunteering
- The European Youth Portal has a list of organisations providing voluntary opportunities for young people in Portugal.
- Volunteer Abroad (and other sites like it) has volunteer projects in Portugal.
Casual work
Casual work opportunities in Portugal are mainly seasonal and in the tourism industry.
Short-term opportunities
Short-term, temporary opportunities are available in Portugal and should be approached in the same way as full-time, graduate job searching.
Gap year opportunities
Portugal is a destination to consider when taking a gap year, but few structured gap year opportunities are advertised. The usual vacancy searching methods should be used.
Postgraduate study
How does the higher education system work?
Higher education includes universities and polytechnics administered by public, private and cooperative institutions.
Universities award first degrees, Masters degrees and Doctorates. Polytechnics award first degrees and Masters degrees.
Lisbon has the greatest concentration of public and private higher education establishments (about a third of the national total), and a large number of research and development institutions.
What courses are available?
Levels of study available are:
- first degrees: Bacharel (three years of study) and Licenciado (four to six years of study);
- postgraduate courses: Mestre (four semesters, advanced degree in a scientific area through practical research);
- Doctoral studies: Doutre (several years of personal study for a thesis);
- postdoctoral programmes: Agregação (reserved for Doutre, the highest level of study).
Where can I study?
A complete list of all higher education establishments is available from Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior and Guia do Estudante (both in Portuguese) or via Universities Worldwide.
University ranking lists are available from Webometrics.
What are the entry requirements for postgraduate study?
Most universities operate an entrance examination and also stipulate entrance criteria (such as minimum qualifications). Foreign students must meet the same criteria as those set for Portuguese students.
Places at public universities are allocated by passing a national examination, whereas private institutions set their own.
Although it may not be specified, it will usually be necessary to have a good knowledge of Portuguese since courses will be almost exclusively delivered in the language.
When do I apply?
As in the UK, there is no official closing date for postgraduate courses, but it is advisable to apply as early as possible.
How do I apply?
For postgraduate study, contact the university you are interested in attending. Each university has its own admissions system for postgraduate programmes, and you will have to apply separately for each university. All universities have their own official application form, which you will need to complete fully.
Check with each institution to find out about their application procedure. Some universities deal with applications centrally, while others deal with applications within individual faculties or departments. Some have application forms available on their website, and some are accept forms submitted electronically.
Most universities in Portugal, as in the UK, have an international office where you will find information about the procedures to follow for applying to and attending your chosen university. This information is usually available in English both online and by requesting a prospectus.
How much will it cost?
Both public and private institutions charge tuition fees. In public institutions, fees are payable annually and are related to the minimum wage. In private institutions, fees are payable monthly and are generally significantly higher.
Details of fees and the costs of living can be found on university websites. You can request more information from the international office of the university you are interested in attending.
Are any scholarships available?
- EU students are eligible to apply for grants and exemptions in the same way as Portuguese students. These are usually administered by facilities within the public institution universities and further information should be available.
- For private study, the state provides a fundo de Apoio ao Estudante (student support fund). Grants are allocated through a competitive examination.
- To be eligible for a grant, students must be applying for a course/establishment recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
- The Camões Institute offers grants to students attending either summer, or longer annual, courses in Portuguese language and culture, or for research in these areas.
- Search for funding opportunities at Ploteus
Are there any exchange programmes?
UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Portugal through the Erasmus programme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.
Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?
The ENIC-NARIC network provides information on how to compare academic qualifications. Their office in Portugal is based within the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
See Study Abroad Links for general information about studying outside the UK.
Visa and immigration
Do I need a visa or work permit?
European Union (EU) nationals with a valid passport or identity card are permitted to work in Portugal without a visa and are entitled to the same rights as Portuguese nationals with regard to pay, working conditions and social security.
If entering to study, you may need to show proof that you are a student and have the means to support yourself.
If entering the country to work you may be asked to prove that you have adequate means to support yourself during your stay and that the cost of your return journey is secured.
An identity card (bilhete de identidade) must be carried at all times. Application forms are available from the Portuguese Consulate General. Contact the Consulate well in advance of departure to confirm requirements.
Employees must register at the Treasury to get a CIF number, without which their employer will not be able to pay them. More information (in Portuguese) is available from the Portuguese Ministry of Finance.
EURES - European Job Mobility Portal has a before and after moving to Portugal checklist that will help you to make sure you have completed all the essential tasks.
How do I get a visa?
EU nationals do not need a visa for Portugal.
If you are from a non-EU country, check with the Portuguese embassy in the country where you are (find a list of embassies at Embassies Worldwide
) to enquire about visa requirements. The Schengen Office
also has useful visa information.
Non-EU nationals will not be permitted to work without first obtaining a work visa.
You may also wish to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy, if you are not in your home country) to find out whether there are any issues to be considered if you are planning to visit Portugal to study or work.
How do I apply for permanent residency?
EU nationals who intend to stay in Portugal for longer than three months must apply to the Portuguese Immigration Service (Servicio do Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) (helpful website in Portuguese and English) for a ‘registration certificate’.
This certificate is initially valid for five years, or for the period of intended residence if this is less than five years. After living in Portugal for five years, you can apply to the immigration authorities for a certificate of permanent residence.
Help and advice abroad
Public employment services
The Portuguese Public Employment Service (Instituto do Emprego) is managed by the Ministerio Emprego e Segurança Social. The offices (centro do emprego) offer advice on training, opportunities and how to find work, as well as providing access to vacancies. There are 84 offices in Portugal.
You can also get contact details for EURES advisers in Portugal through EURES - European Job Mobility Portal.
Higher education careers support
- Some universities have careers services that can be used by foreign students.
- The University of Lisbon, for example, has several careers services across its campus. Students can enrol on Units of Active Life Insertion (UNIVAS), which provide employment information and help students to find jobs and training positions. Each faculty has a section about graduate employability. See individual universities’ websites for more information.
- The international office of individual universities’ will also be able to advise on this and other student support services available.
Help in an emergency
- The police, ambulance and fire services can be contacted by telephoning 112.
- A list of other useful numbers is available at Visit Portugal.
- Instituto da Juventude - aimed specifically at young people. In Portuguese.
- The British Embassy in Portugal supports UK citizens residing in Portugal and can assist with a wide range of issues, problems and queries.
- There are strong expatriate communities in Portugal who often have their own websites and can offer useful and practical information for foreign visitors. See, for example, Expats Portugal and Pure Portugal.
Country overview
Geography
- Full country name: Portuguese Republic.
- Population: estimated at 10.7 million, similar to Belgium. It is a young population with two-thirds aged between 15 and 64.
- Border countries: Spain to the north and the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south.
- Climate: cool and rainy in the north, and warmer and drier in the south.
- Terrain: North Portugal is mountainous, and the Serra da Estrela is popular for skiing. South of Lisbon are the plains of the Alentejo region, divided from the Algarve in the south by a range of mountains. The Algarve is a popular resort area with wide sandy beaches and attractive bays. Madeira and the Azores also belong to Portugal.
- Natural hazards: forest fires occur frequently during the summer and the Azores are subject to severe earthquakes. Environmental concerns include soil erosion, air pollution and water pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions.
Living in Portugal
- Cost of living: prices of goods have risen in recent times, but salaries rise to keep pace with inflation. Prices of commodities, accommodation and leisure are slightly lower than in the UK. As in many other European countries, commuters tend to live in apartments in city suburbs, but rented accommodation is scarce. Rents vary according to location, quality and the number of rooms, e.g. 1-2 rooms, €500 to €1000 per month, 4 rooms, €1250-€1500 per month, and the minimum period for a rental contract is six months. Most newspapers publish advertisements for property to rent (‘alugam-se’), including English papers, such as The Portugal News. Always look for adverts that say ‘Mediador Autorizado’ (government licensed). Some employers offer assistance in finding accommodation.
- Utilities: the main electricity company is Energias de Portugal (EDP). The gas market in Portugal is currently a regulated monopoly and there is only one provider, Galp Energia. Your rental agency or real estate agent can provide local contacts. Aguas de Portual provides the names and contact information of local water boards in Portugal. For more information about utitlities, see Anglo Info.
- Internet domain: .pt. Only residents can subscribe to an internet service in Portugal. When you complete a subscription form (Formulário de Adesão) and sign a contract, you will be given a username and password.
- Health: Portugal provides free essential medicines and general medical consultations through its health system. For non-essential medicines, contributions of 40%-100% are standard. It is likely that you will have to pay for dental treatment. Everyone legally employed in Portugal has health insurance deducted from their salary. The self-employed need to arrange their own payments. Private health insurance is often recommended for visitors to Portugal. There is a British hospital in Lisbon, but it is very small and cannot deal with serious emergencies. Portugal is part of a reciprocal agreement between EU member states, which enables EU citizens to receive free urgent medical treatment. For this, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is required. For more details of the procedures and processes relating to the health service in Portugal visit Anglo Info.
- Laws and customs: if you are caught in possession of drugs for personal use, you may be subject to a fine or other sanction (including the seizure of personal belongings). Selling or trafficking drugs is a criminal offence and subject to severe penalties. Foreign nationals are required by law to be able to show some form of identification if requested by the police or judicial authorities. Portugal is, on the whole, accepting of same sex relationships and there is an established gay scene in both Lisbon and Porto. Other smaller cities and regions have much more discrete gay communities.
Economy and finance
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Type of economy: Portugal has a market economy. This means that the production and distribution of goods and services take place through the mechanism of free markets guided by a free price system.
- Health of economy: Portugal's financial sector has been relatively insulated from the global financial crisis and the government has not spent much on shoring up banks. Nonetheless, the government faces tough choices in its attempts to stimulate the economy, while trying to keep the budget deficit within the euro-zone 3%-of-GDP ceiling. In 2009, the deficit reached 6.7% of GDP (The World Factbook, August 2010).
- Unemployment rate: the percentage of unemployed rate has risen from 7.6% in 2008 to 9.5% in 2009.
- Main exports: automobiles and transport components, agricultural products, machinery and tools, textiles, clothing, footwear, paper pulp and cork, wine, plastic moulds, tomato paste. EU countries, especially Spain, Germany, France, Angola and the UK, are Portugal’s principal trading partners.
Culture
- People: more than nine-tenths of the population are ethnic Portuguese, with small numbers of Brazilians, Han Chinese, and people from Portugal’s former colonial possessions in Africa and Asia. There is a strong expatriate community, who are predominantly British, but there are also good numbers of French and Americans and a recent influx of Poles. The marriage rate is one of the highest in Europe and the divorce rate is one of the lowest.
- Major religion: the majority (97%) of the population are Roman Catholics and several public holidays are religious festivals.
History: for an outline of Portuguese history, see BBC Timeline: Portugal.
- Local etiquette: when meeting friends, Portuguese men embrace and pat each other on the back and women kiss both cheeks. When introduced to someone, shake hands. Men should rise but women need not. In conversation, it is common to talk about family matters, but don’t ask very personal questions. Avoid talking about politics unless you are knowledgeable about the situation in Portugal. The correct form of address is Senhor or Senhora plus surname. Anyone with a university degree is referred to as Senhor/a doutour/a, with or without the surname. Body language in Portugal tends to be muted, so be careful not to overuse hand gestures.
Politics
- Type of government: Portugal is a parliamentary democracy with elections to parliament every five years.
- Main political parties: the party of government is the Socialist Party (PS). The main opposition party is the Social Democratic Party. For more information, go to Portuguese Government.
Travel advice
Find the latest travel advice and a general checklist for travellers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Contacts and resources
Jobs and work
- Academic Jobs EU - part of the European Union (EU) network of websites and advertises academic jobs across the EU. It is in English and you can search for academic jobs by country, including Portugal.
- AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) - global organisation that transforms students into leaders by running an international exchange programme.
- British Portuguese Chamber of Commerce - independent, non-profit organisation that sets out to promote the interests of its membership in respect to commercial links between businesses in the United Kingdom and Portugal.
- Directory of Jobs and Careers Abroad - Guy Hobbs, Vacation Work Publications, 2009.
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge.
- Embassies Worldwide - provides a comprehensive list of contact resources for all of the world's diplomatic offices.
- Erasmus - enables higher education students, teachers and institutions in 31 European countries to study for part of their degree in another country.
- ESL Base - provides English language teachers with information, advice and resources.
- EU Business - Europe's leading independent online business information service about the European Union.
- EURES - European Job Mobility Portal - provides information about job vacancies, living and working conditions, and labour markets in Portugal, as well as a CV-posting service for jobseekers.
- Euro-CIETT
- European organisation of the International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT).
- Europages - European B2B search engine/business directory.
- Going to Live in Portugal: All you need to know to enjoy your new life in the sun - Sue Tyson-Ward, How to Books Ltd, 2008.
- European Union (EU) - general information on how the EU works, what it does and how the budget is spent.
- European Youth Portal - European and national information of interest to young people who are living, learning and working in Europe.
- Expats Portugal - information for visitors and foreigners living in Portugal.
- Guianet - Portuguese company directory.
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) - information about tax, national insurance and how this affects pension rights.
- IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) - international work experience placements.
- Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas e à Inovação (IAPMEI) - a business development agency, specialising in small to medium-sized enterprises.
- International Directory of Voluntary Work - Victoria Pybus, Vacation Work Publications, 2009.
- International House Portugal - teaching English opportunities.
- Kompass (Portugal) - worldwide B2B company search engine.
- Leonardo da Vinci Programme - supports the development of skills and training. It funds work placements, supports European projects, and forms part of the European Commission’s commitment to Lifelong Learning.
- Live and Work in Portugal - Guy Hobbs, Crimson Publishing, 2009.
- Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry - information about commerce in Portuguese.
- Portuguese Consulate General
- deals with work and tourist visas.
- Portuguese Immigration Service (Servicio do Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) - implements the Portuguese policy for immigration and asylum in agreement with the provisions of the Constitution and the Law, and the Government’s guidelines.
- Portuguese Ministry of Education - information about teaching in Portugal and about the education system structure.
- Portuguese Public Employment Service (Instituto do Emprego) - provides advice on training, opportunities and how to find work, as well as providing access to vacancies. The website is in Portuguese.
- Portuguese Yellow Pages (Paginas Amarelas) - telephone directory of businesses, including recruitment agencies.
- Portuguese Ministry of Finance - government department whose mission is to define and conduct the financial policy of the state and the public administration policies.
- Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) - representative body for the UK’s private recruitment and staffing industry.
- Regiao Sul (in Portuguese) and The Resident (in English) list job opportunities in the Algarve.
- The Schengen Office - provides a visa processing service for tourist and business purposes to over 40 countries.
- Summer Jobs Worldwide - Susan Griffith, Crimson Publishing, 2010.
- Superemprego - online vacancy portal in Portuguese with a section for careers advice. You can post your CV and receive email alerts.
- Volunteer Abroad - lists volunteering opportunities.
Study
- Camões Institute - offers grants to students attending either summer, or longer annual, courses in Portuguese language and culture.
- CESA Languages - language courses abroad.
- Direcção – Geral do Ensino Superior - lists higher education establishments. Website is in Portuguese.
- ENIC-NARIC - gateway to recognition of academic and professional qualifications.
- Eurolingua Institute - study abroad language programmes including homestay.
- Guia do Estudante - lists higher education establishments. Website is in Portuguese.
- Ploteus - help students, job seekers, workers, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers to find out information about studying in Europe.
- Study Abroad Links - links and information on study abroad and educational travel opportunities worldwide.
- Webometrics
News
- Correio de Manha - general vacancies at graduate and non-graduate level across Portugal.
- Diario de Noticias - lists jobs.
- Expresso - lists jobs.
- The Guardian - lists jobs.
- Jornal de Noticias - lists jobs.
- Kidon Media-Link - link to other Portuguese newspapers.
- The Portugal News
- Times Educational Supplement (TES) - lists jobs.
Reference
- Anglo Info - online media company providing local business directory, classified advertising and information services in the English language.
- BBC Country Profile - Portugal - Portugal - general information about the county.
- BBC Timeline: Portugal: Portugal - information about the history of Portugal.
- British Embassy in Portugal - supports UK citizens residing in Portugal and can assist with a wide range of issues, problems and queries.
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) - provides services to British nationals and British businesses overseas through our global network of Embassies and other posts.
- Portuguese Government - information about political parties.
- Pure Portugal - for tourists & foreigners living in central Portugal.
- Visit Portugal - the official website for Portugal as a tourist destination, and is developed by Turismo de Portugal, I.P., the national tourist board.
- The World Factbook - information on history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.
- XE Universal Currency Converter
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