Get a Job in Portugal: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Get a job in Portugal: smiling candidate in a job interview in a bright Lisbon office

Get a job in Portugal and you join thousands of young Europeans who start their first role in Lisbon or Porto every year, often in English. It is far easier than most people expect when you follow the right steps. Here is the concrete process, from your search to your arrival, so you can apply with confidence.

Get a job in Portugal: where to start

Begin by targeting international companies that hire foreign profiles. Many handle customer relations for big European brands and look for people comfortable in English, with no specialised degree or long experience required.

Which sectors hire the most

  • Multilingual customer service: the biggest employer, by phone, email or chat.
  • Technical support and IT: helping users of software and apps.
  • Tourism and hospitality: reception and guest relations.

In most cases training is provided on site and good English is enough to start.

How to actually apply

The simplest way to get a job in Portugal is through a specialised recruiter who knows the companies and organises the whole move. They present your profile, prepare the interview (usually a video call) and coordinate your relocation.

The interview: what to expect

Interviews are usually simple and friendly: they assess your motivation, your language level and your ability to work in a team. No technical file needed, just be clear about your plan and availability.

Salary and housing

On these roles the net salary is around 1,000 to 1,100 euros a month, and accommodation is often provided by the employer, which changes everything for your budget.

Per month With housing provided
Net salary 1,000 to 1,100 euros
Rent 0 euros (covered)
Left to live on 700 to 850 euros

The steps once you arrive

As an EU citizen you need no visa. On site you will need a tax number (NIF) and a social security number, usually with the employer’s help. To compare your rights and mobility support, the European portal EURES is a good start. At Expat-U we offer roles in Portugal with housing and full support: see the openings.

In short, to get a job in Portugal you target the right sectors, go through a recruiter, pass a simple interview, then get guided through the move.

Assistant Expat-UEn ligne · Réponses instantanées
Bonjour ! 👋 Je suis l'assistant IA d'Expat-U. Je peux t'aider à trouver une offre, te renseigner sur la vie à Lisbonne ou Athènes, ou répondre à tes questions sur le processus. Comment puis-je t'aider ?
Propulsé par Claude AI