Recruitment Portugal

WORKING IN PORTUGAL

If you come from the UK or one of the 25 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), then you have the same employment rights as Portuguese nationals.

You can live in Portugal for up to three months as long as you have a valid 10 year passport from an EEA country. When that time is up and if you want to remain there, you have to apply for your residency permit. Make sure you carry an ID card at all times (you can apply for one at your embassy), a copy of which should be lodged with the local council. With this paperwork in place, you are free to work here.

When you have residential status and are fully employed you will need a tax number (carta de contribuinte) which is obtained from the local tax office. You should be aware that there is a minimum wage in this country and you cannot legally work more than 40 hours a week, annual holiday entitlement is a minimum of 22 days and if you are from one of the EEA countries you can set up your own business and become self-employed.

Working in Portugal will introduce you to new friends, contacts and business associates and hopefully you will be somewhere where you can practice your language skills which are important if you want to increase the types of job available to you and improve your day to day life.