Lisbon is Portugal's capital and also the largest city in the country. Furthermore, it is the richest metropolitan area in the country and the main center of business, manufacturing, trade and other economic activities. If you're trying to find a job in Portugal, you won't have it easier than in Lisbon!
The labor market in Lisbon
The services sector remains the main employer in Lisbon 鈥� offering over 80% of job opportunities in the region. This includes public services, social security, banking, tourism, advertising and marketing, hospitality and catering, health services 鈥� and more.
The field that has experienced the biggest increase in job offers in recent years (aside from tourism) is, as one might expect, technology, as there are more and more international companies setting up their businesses in Portugal and recurrently looking for programmers, software and web developers, data analysts, network engineers, cloud architects and more!
Other areas with growing demand include finance, public administration and business consulting. On the other hand, tourism has experienced a boom over the past 15 years or so, with new hotels, hostels and other tourism-related businesses lurking from every corner. However, tourism is probably the most precarious industry in the city, consistently running on low wages and with companies often requiring unpaid extra time (which is illegal). Unsurprisingly, most menial jobs are often undertaken by immigrants.
If you want to work in mass media, television and communication, Lisbon would also be the best place to start. The city is home to Portugal's biggest TV and radio stations, newspapers, media corporations, and more.
Job opportunities for expats in Lisbon
As you can see from above, there are several key industries where expertise is always required in Lisbon.
玩偶姐姐s looking for a job in Lisbon will have lots of opportunities in the tourism and service sectors, although they will probably be guided onto a back-office role in case they're not able to speak Portuguese. Still, knowing a foreign language or two aside from English can come quite in handy and give you an edge over the competition.
The tech industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, so should you have relevant knowledge and proper training/qualifications. There should be no problem finding a position. This has been further enhanced by the fact that Lisbon has been consistently hosting the world-famous Web Summit over the past few years. If you are looking to break into the tech industry but don't have the needed experience, consider applying for an internship at one of the many tech startups in Lisbon. There are currently a few government programs that actually pay the company to employ interns, helping them gain the necessary experience to enter the labor market independently after the internship is over. The most famous program is called聽 from IEFP, and is widely used by companies from a wide range of sectors.
Over the past few years, there has also been a surge in job opportunities for customer support centers. In many cases, Portuguese isn't even required at all, and you can get by with speaking English exclusively (though a second language is a major plus). The biggest companies that currently have call centers in Lisbon include Connecta Group, Teleperformance and Sitel. If you speak Portuguese, you can also try your luck with the likes of NOS, MEO or Vodafone, although wages and working conditions are usually subpar.
If you are looking for a job in an international company, Lisbon would also be the best city to try your luck. Here, you will find offices of Google, SAS, Microsoft, Deloitte, Kimberly Clark, Diageo, Cisco, DHL Express, Medtronic, Abbvie and many more.
Lisbon is home to Portugal's biggest universities, including Universidade de Lisboa. This opens up lots of options if you are looking to build a career in the education industry. If you are looking for a job in the ESL industry (teaching English as a second language), you will also have a good chance of getting hired in Lisbon. The city is home to a decent number of language schools and training centers 鈥� check out for a full list of language schools in the country. That being said, keep in mind that competition is quite high, and you will need to have relevant qualifications to apply for vacant positions. This includes a TEFL certificate and a degree in education or any other relevant field.
Knowledge of Portuguese can be a definite advantage during your job search. If you plan to stay in Lisbon for the long term and plan to advance your career here, consider enrolling in a language course.
How to find a job in Lisbon
In a big city like Lisbon, there are lots of different ways to look for a job.
The first thing you should do is make sure your CV and cover letter are fully updated to reflect your experience and expertise. This is essential for an effective job search in the city, and you should have your CV ready to respond to job offers. You may also want to take the extra step and create a Portuguese-language version of your CV. This can help you apply for more job offers and will make it easier for the HR manager to evaluate your application.
It's also a good idea to update your professional social media, such as Linkedin. Include all your latest work experience, expertise and achievements. You may also indicate in your profile that you are looking for career opportunities in Lisbon and update your current location to Lisbon as well. This will make it easier for headhunters and hiring managers in Lisbon to find your profile.
Another way to go about your job search in Lisbon is to send out your CV and cover letter directly to companies in your field of work. This is especially suitable for Lisbon 鈥� as Portugal's capital, the city is home to the head offices of numerous multinationals, key state organizations, media corporations, and more. Once you've narrowed down the list of companies you are interested in, you can go on to visit their websites, locate the Careers or Jobs sections, and see if there are any openings available that might suit you. Alternatively, you may find HR contacts via the company's website or LinkedIn and contact them about current or possible future opportunities.
If you are a high-level professional with a lot of experience in your field, you may contact a headhunting agency in Lisbon. Once they have your information and know what you are looking for, they will keep your profile on file for any openings in your area of expertise.
Naturally, you can also search for job offers online. You can start by looking through international websites like Monster, Indeed, Hays, and others, while the most popular job-hunting websites in Portugal are , and . Alternatively, you may also go directly to a recruitment agency to see if they can link you up with a company. Most popular recruitment agencies in Lisbon include , , and , among many others.
For job offers for English speakers located in Lisbon, check out. If you are looking for a language-related job, look through the offers on.
If you are a citizen or resident of an EU country, you can check the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) 鈥� a platform designed to facilitate the movement of workers throughout the EU.
Networking is also a great way to expand your pool of opportunities in the city. So, if you are looking for a job offer, make sure to keep your eyes open for professional conferences and events in your field.
Visa requirements for working in Lisbon
If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA member state, you can work in Lisbon without a visa or a work permit. However, if you plan to stay in the country for a period longer than 3 months and shorter than 5 years, you will need to apply for a Registration Certificate. This is the document that serves as a residency permit for EU/EEA nationals staying in Portugal.
Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries will need a visa to enter Portugal (even for a period of less than three months) 鈥� unless they come from one of the 61 countries that have an agreement with Portugal that allows their citizens to visit Portugal visa-free. Among others, these countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.
Note that even if you don't need a visa for a short stay in Portugal, you will still need to apply for a long-term visa or residence permit if you plan to work in Lisbon and stay for over three months. Unlike EU/EEA nationals, you will need to apply for such a visa/residence permit before arriving in Portugal. The type of visa will depend on the nature of your work and/or contract arrangements.
Finally, if your line of work qualifies for it, you can still apply for the Non-Habitual Tax Residents (NHR, now called IFICI) scheme, where all your income will be taxed at a 10% flat rate. Although this policy was scrapped in 2024, the new right-wing administration rehabilitated the program later that same year, but only for highly qualified and skilled professionals, such as college teachers or tech workers.
Keep in mind that having all proper documentation and working legally will protect you from malicious employers and preserve your rights.
Taxes and freelancing in Lisbon
As for taxes, you'll be paying a flat 11% of your paycheck towards your future public retirement fund (Seguran莽a Social), while the remaining taxes (IRS) will depend on how much you make. Portugal boasts a progressive tax system, which means the more you make, the higher the bracket that will establish how much in taxes you'll be paying every month. Unlike the US, when under contract with a company, you don't need to do your own taxes, as your employer will be responsible for automatically deducting your taxes from your wage and handing the amount to the government. Needless to say, in order to abide by the law, everything must be mentioned in your pay slip. Currently, IRS percentages can range from 0% (if you earn the minimum wage) to 41.1% (if you make over 20k/month), with plenty of other brackets in between.
As for freelance workers in Lisbon, they will need to register their activities at their nearest Finance Department or online through the and issue invoices called Recibo-Verde (green receipt). Freelancers earning less than 15.000鈧�/year are usually exempt from paying VAT and do not need to pay the IRS on a monthly basis to the government (though they'll have to do their taxes every year between May and July and pay any taxes owed to the state). They also need to pay the pension fund contribution every month, according to the amount they made throughout the previous trimester. Regarding freelance work, we strongly advise consulting with a Portuguese accountant since there are many nuances that will impact how much you'll pay in taxes, including the nature of your activity and how much you make, to the dates you issue your invoices and your deductible work expenses.
As a final note, it is also worth mentioning that the digital nomad visa used to include access to the RNH Status, which provided tremendous tax benefits for digital nomads establishing themselves (and their businesses) in the city. Right now, though, the new program is called and only applies to highly qualified and skilled professionals, such as college teachers or tech workers. If your line of work falls within one of the designated categories, you can still enjoy a flat 20% tax on your income, a percentage that Portuguese workers (or foreign workers without the digital nomad visa) reach when earning over 2,432鈧�/month. That being said, if you make more than that amount, you'd be saving on taxes by adhering to the visa. Be that as it may, it is always best to consult with an accountant for further details.
Working conditions in Lisbon
Portuguese workers enjoy a traditional 40-hour-a-week work schedule, which usually comes down to an eight-hour workday (typically from 09h00 to 18h00). Per year, there are also 14 public holidays and a minimum of 22 days of annual leave. According to work legislation, every worker must take at least one period of 10 consecutive days of paid time off (2 weeks) every year. Some companies may offer extra PTO as an incentive (between 25 and 30 days in total).
Good to know:
Portugal also has an average of 12 to 15 public holidays every year. Unlike what you may be used to in some Saxon countries, if a bank holiday takes place on a weekend (or one of your off-days), you cannot move it to a Friday or Monday. You just 鈥渓ose鈥� it.
Workers report that it can be hard to manage a work-life balance due to sometimes having to work longer hours than anticipated. However, Portugal does have a strong culture of family, with recent government reforms allowing more time for parental leave for new parents. Ever since the pandemic, there has been an effort to promote remote work as a perk in some companies. Although fully remote jobs are hard to come by, a lot of companies are currently offering the possibility for employees to work from home 1 or 2 days/week as a way to enhance work-life balance.
Moreover, all workers in Portugal, even part-timers or freelancers, pay into tax and social security, which are deducted from their pay. After a period of working and paying taxes, you are protected by the Social Security system, and you become entitled to an unemployment fund in case you are laid off from your job. All information about this can be found at and .
The work culture in Lisbon can also be quite social, with businesses and colleagues often enjoying work lunches together. Unlike in neighboring Spain, Portugal does not usually follow the siesta culture, so businesses and shops are still open during the afternoons. On the other hand, it is quite common for workers in Lisbon to take Friday afternoon off. Office workers will usually work an extra hour/day (between Monday and Thursday), and then go on weekend right after lunch on Friday.
The work culture in Lisbon
Dress code
What you wear for work has, of course, a lot to do with your job and work environment. Generally speaking, the workspace tends to be fairly conservative with smart casual attire. Men are expected to wear trousers and shirts 鈥� maybe even a suit and tie, depending on the line of work 鈥� and women should be equally formal, with shirts and blouses or a dress (below the knee) and tights. Jewelry should not be excessive, and tattoos should stay covered, especially if working face-to-face with customers (such as in hotels, restaurants, bars and shops). Needless to say, impeccable personal hygiene is expected too: manicure and pedicure for women; trimmed beard and hair for men. And yes, it gets too hot in the summer. Don't forget to always keep a spare travel-sized deodorant!
Punctuality
Once again, Portugal's roots differ quite a lot from those of other European countries to the north. In most cases, punctuality for work is a demand from a superior (who might not follow that demand themselves!), although a 5/10-minute delay due to traffic is acceptable but frowned upon. Prepare for those types of mishaps, as an explanation for your delay will likely be required.
However, things tend not to be as strict for office workers. On the other hand, for jobs in hospitality, call centers, bars and restaurants, bosses are usually quite demanding with the work schedule. However, do not expect the same level of (in)tolerance if you try to clock out at the official end of your shift.
After-work hangouts
Traditionally, family comes first in Portuguese culture, so colleagues with families will rarely commit to an after-work pint. In fact, work relationships don't usually mix with leisure after working hours: Portuguese colleagues might get together for their lunch or coffee breaks, but nothing more personal than that. Once they are out of the office, it's family and friends time.
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