Jobs in Portugal – Work Permit, Visa, Salary & Hiring Guide

Portugal is a founding member of the European Union, a full member of the Schengen Area, and one of Western Europe's most historically significant and internationally connected nations, situated on the Iberian Peninsula at the southwestern edge of continental Europe and bordering Spain to the north and east. Home to approximately 10.6 million people on the mainland and the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, Portugal has transformed from a predominantly agricultural economy into a diversified, internationally oriented nation driven by tourism, technology, financial services, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, renewable energy, and a growing shared services and business process outsourcing industry.

Portugal is experiencing well-documented labour shortages across IT, healthcare, construction, engineering, renewable energy, and agriculture, with over 400,000 non-EU residents now legally residing in the country and foreign workers playing a structurally critical role in sustaining Portugal's growing economy. The immigration authority — AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum — replaced the former SEF in October 2023 and manages all residence permit applications. The immigration framework underwent major legislative reform in October 2025 under Law 61/2025, which introduced a restructured framework for entry, stay, and work.

According to the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), the average gross monthly salary in Portugal reached €1,741 in the second quarter of the most recently reported period — a 6% year-on-year increase. Lisbon pays significantly above the national average at approximately €2,215 gross per month. The national minimum wage is €920 per month — effective January 1 of the most recent adjustment — up 6.1% from the previous year. Salaries in Portugal are paid in 14 instalments per year — 12 regular monthly payments, plus a 13th-month salary at Christmas and a 14th-month salary as a holiday bonus.

This guide covers everything you need to know about jobs in Portugal — including 40 verified shortage occupations with salary data, and a complete, accurate guide to the D1 Employment Visa, D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa, EU Blue Card, AIMA residence permit process, and October 2025 Law 61/2025 reforms, based exclusively on official Portuguese government sources. Whether you are a job seeker, an employer, or a recruitment agency, Moving2Europe.eu is here to connect you with verified opportunities across Portugal and the wider European region.

Europe Job Market Overview

Europe is experiencing structural and sustained labour shortages driven by ageing populations, demographic change, and economic growth that domestic labour forces cannot meet. Portugal occupies a distinctive and complex position in this dynamic — a country combining strong economic growth, a world-leading tourism industry, a rapidly growing technology sector, and one of the most active international relocation and nomad communities in Europe, while simultaneously managing a significant AIMA backlog and implementing one of its most comprehensive immigration law reforms in recent history.

AIMA manages Portugal's immigration framework for third-country workers — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — at imigracao.pt. Visa applications are submitted at Portuguese embassies and consulates worldwide. The official Portuguese government information portal is at vistos.mne.gov.pt. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens may work freely in Portugal without a permit, though they must register with local authorities if staying for more than 3 months.

Key October 2025 Law 61/2025 Changes: The Manifestação de Interesse — the old self-referral route allowing workers already in Portugal to regularise their status — has been repealed, with the transition regime valid only until December 31 of the applicable year. Foreign nationals must now hold the correct visa type before entering Portugal — visas will be refused to those who have entered illegally. The Job-Seeking Visa is now restricted to qualified workers with specialised technical skills only. The CPLP nationals route now requires a prior residence visa. Stricter family reunification rules require two years of legal residence before applying, with reduced waiting periods for couples who have cohabited or for those with minors.

April 2025 Complete Application Rule: From April 28 2025, AIMA will accept residence permit applications only if they are complete at the time of submission — any application missing even one required document will be rejected. Additionally, a NISS — Portuguese social security number — is now mandatory for all residence permit applications.

For international job seekers, Portugal offers access to a Mediterranean lifestyle, a globally connected economy, EU Schengen access, the Portuguese language — one of the world's most widely spoken — and a highly practical living environment with a cost of living significantly below that of most Western European capitals. For employers, Portugal's growing technology ecosystem, competitive wages relative to Western Europe, and improving AIMA processing speeds make it increasingly attractive. For recruitment agencies, Portugal represents an active and growing international hiring market.

Jobs in Portugal – Market Overview

Portugal's economy is driven by a world-class tourism and hospitality sector — which accounts for approximately 15% of GDP — a rapidly growing technology and digital services sector, pharmaceutical and medical technology manufacturing, renewable energy, a globally significant wine, agriculture, and food export sector, logistics, financial services, and an expanding shared services and BPO industry.

Key industries actively hiring international workers include:

Information Technology: Portugal's IT sector is growing rapidly. Lisbon and Porto have developed into significant technology hubs — with Lisbon's Web Summit status, major multinationals establishing research and development operations, and a thriving startup ecosystem. Software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, cloud engineers, and IT architects are in acute shortage — one in four IT positions remained unfilled in the most recently reported ManpowerGroup Portugal survey. The IT sector pays significantly above the national average.

Healthcare: Portugal's healthcare system faces a permanent and well-documented shortage of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, and clinical pharmacists — driven by emigration of healthcare professionals to higher-wage Northern European countries and an ageing population. Healthcare workers in regulated professions must obtain professional recognition in Portugal from the relevant Ordem.

Construction and Engineering: Portugal's construction sector — driven by major residential development, tourism infrastructure investment, and EU-funded infrastructure projects — faces persistent shortages of electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters, and civil engineers across Lisbon, Porto, and all coastal regions.

Tourism and Hospitality: Portugal's tourism sector — the world's 22nd most-visited country — generates enormous demand for chefs, hotel managers, front-desk staff, housekeepers, servers, and resort workers, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Madeira, and the Azores.

Renewable Energy: Portugal has ambitious renewable energy targets and one of Europe's highest shares of renewable electricity, generating consistent demand for solar, wind, and hydrogen energy engineers and technicians. The energy sector faces approximately 20% staff shortage.

Agriculture and Agri-food: Portugal's significant agricultural export sector — olive oil, wine, cork, fresh vegetables, and fruits — generates seasonal and year-round demand for harvest workers and agricultural technicians.

Top Cities for Jobs in Portugal

Jobs in Lisbon

Lisbon is Portugal's capital and its dominant economic hub, paying the highest average salaries in the country — approximately €2,215 gross per month — and offering the widest range of employment for professional and skilled international workers. Lisbon is home to Portugal's most significant concentration of technology companies, multinational headquarters, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and international businesses. Senior software engineers and data specialists in Lisbon can earn €3,000–€5,000 or more gross per month, well above the national average.

The city has a large and well-established international community, widespread English proficiency in professional environments, and excellent transport links to the rest of Europe.

Jobs in Porto

Porto is Portugal's second-largest city and a major hub for technology, manufacturing, logistics, and financial services, with a growing startup ecosystem anchored by the University of Porto. Porto pays approximately €1,629 gross per month on average — competitive with Lisbon, which has a notably lower cost of living — and generates consistent demand across IT, engineering, healthcare, and tourism. Porto is increasingly recognised as an attractive alternative technology employment centre for international workers.

Jobs in Braga, Coimbra, Aveiro, and the Algarve

Braga in northern Portugal is an important manufacturing and technology hub. Coimbra is a major university and research city with demand in healthcare, research, and education. Aveiro is a growing technology and logistics centre. The Algarve — Portugal's southern coast — generates enormous seasonal demand for tourism and hospitality workers from April to October, as well as consistent year-round construction demand. The Azores and Madeira generate consistent demand in tourism, healthcare, and agriculture.

Job Opportunities in Portugal

Blue-Collar Jobs in Demand in Portugal

The following 20 blue-collar roles represent Portugal's most critical shortage occupations in skilled and trades sectors, based on verified data from INE, EURES Portugal, IEFP vacancy data, and employer shortage documentation. All 20 have documented workforce shortfalls.

Register as a Truck Driver → Browse Welder Opportunities →

White-Collar Jobs in Demand in Portugal

The following 20 white-collar roles represent Portugal's most critical shortage occupations in professional and highly skilled sectors, based on verified data from INE, EURES Portugal, ManpowerGroup Portugal, and the Ministry of Labour.

Register as a Healthcare Worker → Explore All Opportunities →

Salary in Portugal

Portugal offers salaries below the Western and Northern European average, with consistently strong growth — INshowa shows 6% year-on-year average gross salary in the most recently reported period. Portugal's cost of living — particularly outside Lisbon and Porto — provides strong real purchasing power. A unique feature of Portuguese employment law is the 14-payment salary system: employees receive 12 monthly salaries, a 13th-month payment at Christmas, and a 14th-month holiday allowance, typically paid in July or August.

According to INE, the average gross monthly salary in Portugal reached €1,741 in the second quarter of the most recently reported period. Lisbon pays approximately €2,215 gross per month — the highest in the country. Porto averages approximately €1,629. The minimum wage is €920 as of January 1 following the most recent adjustment. The government has a confirmed trajectory targeting further increases through subsequent years. The D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa requires a minimum salary of three times the Social Support Index — approximately €1,567.50 per month. The D1 Employment Visa requires an employment contract of at least 12 months.

Work Permit Process in PAIMA manages Portugal's work authorisation system for non-EU nationals, administered by AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — at imigracao.pt. Visa applications are submitted at Portuguese embassies and consulates through the portal at vistos.mne.gov.pt. The government information portal is at gov.pt. Portugal is a member of the EU and of Schengen. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens may work freely in Portugal.

Portugal operates a two-stage system: workers first obtain a residence visa — typically D1 or D3 — at a Portuguese consulate in their home country, then apply for a residence permit with AIMA after arriving in Portugal.

Types of Work Visas and Residence Permits

• D1 Visa — Subordinate Employment: The most common work visa for non-EU nationals employed by a Portuguese employer. Requires a signed employment contract of at least 12 months. The employer must be registered with the Portuguese labour and social security authorities. Valid for four months, allowing two entries. After arrival, the worker applies for a Temporary Residence Permit for Work at AIMA.
• D3 Visa — Highly Qualified Activity: For highly qualified professionals with a recognised higher education degree or at least five years of equivalent professional experience. Minimum gross monthly salary of approximately €1,567.50 — three times the IAS Social Support Index. No labour market test required. Includes IT specialists and researchers. From April 2025, consulates must decide on complete D3 applications within 20 days.
• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified professionals with a recognised university degree and an employment contract meeting the applicable minimum salary threshold. Processed by AIMA. Provides EU mobility rights. No labour market test required.
• D8 Visa — Digital Nomad: For remote workers employed by or providing services to companies registered outside Portugal. Minimum income of at least four times the national minimum wage — approximately €3,680 per month. Valid for one year, renewable. Does not authorise local Portuguese employment.
• Qualified Job-Seeker Visa: Under Law 61/2025, the former general job-seeker visa is now restricted to qualified workers with specialised technical skills as defined by joint ministerial order. Allows entry to Portugal to search for highly qualified employment.
• Seasonal Work Visa (VTS): For seasonal agricultural and tourism work for up to nine months per calendar year.
• CPLP Nationals Route: Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries — Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and Timor-Leste — benefit from a simplified route to residence and work under Article A. Law requires residence; currently, a visa is required before travel to Portugal.

April 2025 Complete Application Rule

From April 28 20 AIMLA will accept residence permit applications if they are completed at the time of submission. Any application missing even one required document is rejected, and the appointment slot is lost. A NISS — Número de Identificação de Segurança Social — Portuguese social security number — is now mandatory for all residence permit applications.

Step-by-Step D1 Employment Visa and Residence Permit Process

Step 1 – Secure a Confirmed Employment. Contract: The process begins with a signed employment contract from a legally registered Portuguese employer. The contract must be for at least 12 months and specify a salary at or above the minimum wage, in accordance with Portuguese labour law requirements. The employer must have a register(NIF — Portuguese tax))ber — and comply with social security obligations.

Step 2 – Employer Registers the Work Offer With IEFP (where required). For some employment categories, the employer may need to demonstrate that the position was offered to Portuguese or EU candidates through IEFP — the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training. The D3 and EU Blue Card routes do not require this step.

Step 3 – Worker Applies for the D1 Residence Visa at the Portuguese Consulate. ulate The worker applies for the D1 visa at the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate in their home country through vistos.mne.gov.pt. Required documents include the signed employment contract, a valid passport, a police clearance certificate, proof of health insurance, proof of accommodation in Portugal, and proof of sufficient means. The visa fee is approximately €90. Processing typically takes approximately 60 days — priority sectors may receive a decision within 20 days under the April 2025 reform.

Step 4 – Travel to Portugal on the Vivisa. The worker enters Portugal on the D1 visa, which is valid for our months and allows two entries.

Step 5 – Obtain NIF and NISS Upon arrival, the worker must obtain a NIF — Portuguese tax identification number — from the local tax office or online. The worker may also obtain an NISS — a Portuguese social security number — which is mandatory from April 2025 for all residence permit applications. The NISS is obtained through the Social Security Institute — Instituto da Segurança Social.

Step 6 – Apply for the Temporary Residence Permit at AIMA. After obtaining the NIF and NISS, the worker books an appointment at AIMA through the AIMA portal at imigracao.pt — and applies for the Temporary Residence Permit for Work. Applications must be submitted before the D1 visa expires — within four months of entry. Under the complete application rule from April 2025, all required documents must be ready and correct at the time of the appointment — missing documents result in automatic rejection. The first residence permit is valid for two years and is renewable for three-year periods. After five years of legal residence, workers may apply for permanent residence.

Step 7 – Collect the Residence Permit Card The physical residence permit card — Título de Residência — is issued after processing and typically arrives within six to eleven weeks of the AIMA appointment. Workers in Portugal with a pending application are considered to be in legal status.

Employers ready to begin the international hiring process can register here →

Work Visa Process in Portugal

The D1 or D3 residence visa is the entry document for non-EU nationals coming to work in Portugal. It is applied for at the Portuguese embassy or co-Embassy in the worker's home country before travel. Under Law 61/2025, foreign nationals must hold the correct visa type before entering Portugal — applications will be refused if the worker has entered or stayed illegally. All visa information is published at vistos.mne.gov.pt and through Portuguese embassies worldwide.

Step 1 – Confirm the Correct Visa Type: Visit vivisas.mne.gov to determine whether the D1 standard employment visa or the D3 highly qualified activity visa applies to your role and qualifications.

Step 2 – Confirm the Employment Contris in place. lace The D1 visa requires a signed employment contract of at least 12 months. Confirm this with your employer before applying.

Visa at the Portuguese Consulate in Your Home. Country:ntry Submit your visa application through vistos.mne.gov.pt and attend the required consulate appointment. The visa fee is approximately €90. Processing takes approximately 60 days — priority sectors within 20 days.

Step 4 – Travel to Portugal and NISS. After visa issuance, travel to Portugal. Obtain your NIF from the tax authority and NISS from Social Security before your AIMA appointment.

Step 5 – Book and Attend an AIMA Appointment.    Before the expiry date, book your AIMA appointment through imigracao.pt and attend with a fully prepared file — all required documents must be present. The appointment must occur within the four-month D1 visa validity period.

Embassy Guidance

Use the Official AIMA Portal for All Residence Applications: All residence permit applications are remitted through AIMA at imigracao.pt. The AIMA portal also manages the online renewal process for eligible permits.

Use the Official Visa Portal for All Visa Applications: All D1, D3, D8, and other visa applications are submitted at Portuguese embassies and consulates through vistos.mne.gov.pt.

All Applications Must Be Completely Prepared From April 2025: Under the April 2025 complete application rule, AIMA will not accept any residence permit application missing even one required document. All documents must be ready, valid, and correct on the day of the AIMA appointment — incomplete applications are automatically rejected.

A NISS Is Now Mandatory for All Residence Permit Applications: The NISS — Portuguese social security number — has been mandatory for all residence permit applications since April 2025. Obtain the NISS from the Instituto da Segurança Social before attending the AIMA appointment.

The Correct Visa Type Must Be Held Before Entering Portugal: Under Law 61/2025, foreign nationals must hold the correct visa type before entering Portugal. Workers who have entered on a tourist visa or visa-free entry cannot apply in-country for an employment residence permit — they must first apply from their home country.

CPLP Nationals Now Require a Prior Residence Visa: Under Law 61/2025, citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries who previously could regularise their status from within Portugal must now apply for a prior residence visa at a Portuguese consulate before travelling.

Regulated Professions Require Portuguese Professional Recognition: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, architects, engineers, and other regulated professions must obtain recognition from the relevant Ordem — professional council — before practising independently in Portugal.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for a D1 Employment Visa application and an AIMA Temporary Residence Permit, in accordance with the official requirements of AIMA (imigracao.pt) and the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mne.gov. pt).

Always verify current requirements at imigracao.vistos.mne.gov. pt.gov.pt before submitting.

How to Avoid Rejection

Entering Portugal Without the Correct Visa Type: Under Law 61/2025, workers must hold the correct visa type before entering Portugal. Applications will be refused to those who have entered illegally or on the wrong visa type. Entering on a tourist or Schengen visa and applying in-country is no longer permissible.

Missing Documents at the AIMA Appointment: The April 2025 complete application rule means any missing document results in automatic rejection of the application and loss of the appointment slot. Prepare all documents meticulously and verify every item against the AIMA checklist before attending.

No NISS at the AIMA Appointment: The NISS is mandatory for all residence permit applications since April 2025. Apply for it from the Instituto da Segurança Social after arriving in Portugal and before the AIMA appointment.

Unregistered Accommodation: AIMA requires a registered rental agreement as proof of accommodation. Unregistered leases, Airbnb, hotel reservations, and informal agreements are not accepted for residence permit applications. The lease must be registered with the tax aut(rity — F)ançasat leastimum of 12 months.

Delaying the AIMA Appointment Beyond the Visa Validity Period. The D1 visa is valid for 4 months. The AIMA residence permit application must be submitted before the visa expires. Book the AIMA appointment as early as possible after arriving in Portugal.

CPLP Nationals Travelling Without a Prior Residence Visa: Under Law 61/2025, CPLP nationals must now obtain a prior residence visa at a Portuguese consulate before travelling — they can no longer self-regularise from within Portugal under the old Manifestação de Interesse route.

Regulated Profession Without Ordem Recognition: Healthcare professionals, architects, and others in regulated professions must hold valid recognition from the relevant Portuguese Ordem before they may practise. Applications without this will not be approved for regulated professions.

Hiring Foreign Workers in Portugal

Portugal urgently needs international workers across IT, healthcare, construction, tourism, renewable energy, and agriculture. With the April 2025 reforms streamlining the AIMA process through the complete application rule, the D3 visa's 20-day priority decision timeline, and consistently growing employer demand, employers who build structured international hiring pipelines gain a decisive competitive advantage.

Why Hire International Workers in Portugal? Portugal's competitive wages relative to Western Europe, improving AIMA processing speeds, strategic Atlantic location, English-proficient professional community, and rapidly growing technology and shared services sector make it increasingly attractive for international employers. The D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa exempts employers from labour market test requirements for qualified professionals.

How to Begin the Hiring Process

Step 1 – Register as an Employer on Moving2Europe.eu Create your employer profile, specify your sector, required roles, and workforce needs. Register as an Employer →

Step 2 – Confirm Employer Registration With IEFP and Social Security. Ensure the company is registered with IEFP and the Instituto da SSegSegurançaal, wit, with valid compliance with social security contribution obligations.

Step 3 – Issue a Signed Employment Contract. A contract for at least 1 month, the salary at or above the minimum wage, and conditions meeting the requirements of the labour law.

Step 4 – Assist the Worker With D-1a  or D-3 Visa Application. Application Support the worker's visa application at the Portuguese consulate through vistos.mne.gov.pt.

Step 5 – Support NIF, NISS, and AIMA Appointment Preparation. Assist the internal team in obtaining NISS upon arrival and in preparing a fully documented application that meets the April 2025 complete-submission rule.

How Job Seekers Can Apply

Step 1 – Confirm the Correct Visa Type Visit vistos.mne.gov.pt to confirm whether the D1, D3, or another visa applies to your employment situation.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Document. ent File Prepare all required documents — registered rental agreement, NIF, police clearance, health insurance, and employment contract — before attending any consulate or AIMA appointment.

Step 3 – Register on Moving2Europe.eu

• Register as a Truck Driver →
• Register as a Welder →
• Register as a Healthcare Worker →
• Explore All Opportunities →

Step 4 – Apply for Available Positions Browse verified job listings and apply to positions that match your qualifications and experience.

Step 5 – Apply for the D1 or D3 Visa at the Portuguese Embassy. Once confirmed, apply for the residence visa at the Portuguese consulate in your home country.

Step 6 – Travel to Portobello. Obtain NIF for the four months and complete the four-month Agency & Partnerships.

M in.g2Euroc ready-to-use documentorates with international recruitment agencies, workforce and power supply companies, and staffing partners to build a consistent, reliable pipeline of pre-screened, work-ready candidates for employers across Portugal and the wider European region.

For agencies with access to IT, healthcare, engineering, tourism, and construction professionals, a partnership with Moving2Europe.eu provides direct access to a growing network of verified Portuguese employers actively seeking international talent.

Why Partner with Moving2Europe.eu?

• Access to a verified network of Portuguese employers actively hiring across IT, healthcare, construction, tourism, and renewable energy
• A structured, transparent matching process aligned with Portugal's D1, D3, and AIMA requirements
• Compliance support across the complete application rule, Law 61/2025 reforms, and CPLP national route changes
• Long-term business development opportunities as Portugal's international workforce demand grows
• A trusted, professional platform built on transparency and accountability

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Declaration

Moving2Europe.eu provides information on BS, work permits, visas, and international hiring strictly for guidance purposes. We do not guarantee job placement, work permit approval, or visa issuance under any circumstances.

All applications, hiring decisions, and approvals are subject to individual employer requirements, applicable immigration laws, and the final decision of the respective country's embassy or government authorities.

Users are strongly advised to independently verify all information, ensure the accuracy of their documents, and follow official procedures before submitting any application.