In recent years, Portugal has become a popular destination for many reasons. Working in Portugal is amongst one of those popular reasons. If you wish to travel to Portugal for work, you may need to apply for a specific Portuguese Work Visa. In this detailed guide, you will find everything you need to know about work visas in Portugal.
There is no official term for a visa that allows you to work in Portugal. In essence, a Portuguese Work Visa is either a short-stay visa that allows you to work in Portugal for a time not exceeding 90 days or a temporary residence permit that allows you to work in Portugal for a time exceeding 3 months.
A temporary residence permit can be renewed after 2 years for an additional 3 years. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship. Once you are a Portuguese citizen, you do not need to apply for a “Portuguese work visa”.
In this post, we will keep using the term “Portuguese Work Visa”.
If you reside in an EU country or a country that forms part of the European Union, you do not need to apply for a specific visa to work in Portugal. Citizens from these nations are allowed to travel, work and live in Portugal without a visa. However, if you plan to stay in Portugal for more than 3 months, you will need to obtain a Residence Certificate (Cerificado de Registo).
If you are a Non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you will most likely need to apply for a Portuguese Work Visa to work in Portugal. To be able to do this, you will first need to secure a job in Portugal. Once you have done this, you can start the process of applying for a Portuguese Work Visa.
In accordance with Portugal’s regulations, employers need to advertise new job opportunities to Portuguese or EU/EFTA citizens. After advertising the job for 30 days, the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training in Portugal (IEFP) will classify them as jobs that can be filled by non-EU citizens.
There are a few simple things to know before applying for your Portuguese Work Visa.
You will need a job offer/work contract – Before starting the application process for a Portugal Work Visa, you need to have a work contract from your employer in Portugal. The contract should include where you will work, what company you will work for, and what work you will be doing.
Your employer needs to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf – Your employer will need to apply for your Work Permit at the Portuguese Labor Authorities. The permit will indicate what work you will be doing and where you will be doing that work.
If you decide to relocate or apply for a new job, you need to reapply for a Work Permit. This is because your Work Permit specifies where you will be working and what work you will be doing. If your Work Permit does not match your current job position or location, you might get in trouble with the Portuguese Authorities.
Once your work contract or work permit is approved – If your employment is less than 6 months or your country of origin requires you to do so, you will need to apply for a Portuguese Work Visa. In the segment below, we will look at the different types of Portuguese Work Visas you can apply for.
Those planning to work in Portugal for a longer period, need to apply for a Residence permit.
There are 2 main types of work visas that Portugal offers. These are known as “Short Stay Visas” and “National Visas”
You can apply for a Short Stay Work Visa if your work period does not exceed 90 days. This visa is used for seasonal work or work purposes that require a short-term stay.
National Work Visas, known as long-stay visas, allow you to work in Portugal for a period exceeding 90 days. National Visas are the most common visas used for work purposes.
A Portuguese Work Visa is the most common work visa for employees working in Portugal. It is a standard residence permit that is valid for 1 year and is renewable for up to 5 years. If you have a work contract that exceeds 1 year, you will most likely apply for a Portuguese Work Visa.
If you wish to work in Portugal independently, you can apply for a Temporary Stay Visa. A Temporary Stay Visa will allow you to work in Portugal for up to a year. Note that when applying for this visa, you are not allowed to work for a company in Portugal. All revenue generated should be external or online. A Temporary Visa is also known as a Digital Nomad Visa or an Independent Work Visa. If you are self-employed then this is the perfect visa for you.
A Highly Qualified Work Visa is issued to individuals who conduct scientific research or other highly qualified activities. Examples of Highly Qualified Workers include scientists, medical professionals, and engineers.
An EU Blue Card is issued to those who have sought after skills. It is an extremely popular option for professionals who reside outside the European Union. Note that to be eligible for an EU Blue Card you will need to provide supporting documents that prove your education, skills, and experiences.
If you wish to know more about the types of visas Portugal offers, you can check our complete Portugal visa guide.
The documents required for your Portugal Work Visa are divided into 2 sections. The work permit requirements and the work visa application requirements.
After you have received your work contract, your employer will need to apply for your work permit. The documents required include, but is not limited to, the following:
A valid Portuguese Residence Visa
Proof of accommodation in Portugal
A valid passport or government-issued travel document
2 recent passport photos. These must be colored passport photos.
Clear criminal record
A work contract between the employer and employee
Proof of registration with Portugal Social Security
Company tax statements
Proof that the position could not be filled by an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
The required documents mentioned above should only be viewed as a guideline. These documents are submitted by your employer and may not be the same as the documents required for your Portugal Work Visa application.
Pro tip: We recommend that you contact your employer and ask what documents they require from you when submitting your work permit application.
Once your work Portuguese Work Permit is approved, you must apply for a Portuguese Work Visa. Head over to your nearest Portuguese Consulate or Embassy to start your application.
Listed below are the documents required for a Portugal Work Visa:
A filled out visa application form
A valid passport or government-issued travel document
2 colored passport photos
Proof that you are financially able to support yourself during your stay in Portugal
A clean criminal record from your country of origin
A document permitting SEF to check your Portuguese criminal records
Proof of health insurance or valid travel insurance. This insurance should provide coverage in Portugal
Proof of accommodation in Portugal. It can include a rental agreement or hotel reservations
Your employment contract
If you are already in Portugal: A visa that proves you are legally allowed to enter Portugal
If you are applying from your home country: Proof that you are allowed to stay in Portugal, such as a residence permit or any other relevant visas.
These are the most common documents required when applying for a Work Visa at the Portuguese Embassy. There are some work visas where additional documents may be required. We recommend you contact your Portuguese Consulate/Embassy to check what documents you need for your specific Portuguese Work Visa.
Pro tip: We recommend that you start gathering all your documents as soon as possible. It will make the process easier in the long run.
Once you have and signed the contract for your new job, your employer will need to apply for a Work Permit at the Portuguese Labor Authorities of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) on your behalf.
Ensure that you provide all the documents required from your employer. They will submit the relevant documents and inform you once your Work Permit is approved.
After you have received your work permit, you can start your Portuguese Work Visa application.
Fill out the application form – Ensure that all the information you provide is accurate and correct. Missing or incorrect details can lead to your visa being denied. Check that the personal information you provide matches the information found on your passport or travel document.
Collect all your documents – Start collecting all your documents. Ensure that you have the original documents and copies. You will need to submit these later in the application process.
Note that all the documents you provide should be in English or Portuguese. If your documents are not in one of these languages, you can translate them by a certified translator.
There are cases where you must legalize certain documents. You can legalize your documents through an Apostille Stamp or through the Portuguese Embassy in your home country. The Apostille Stamp, or certificate, is attached to your original document. The stamp confirms that the document presented is legitimate and authentic.
Schedule and attend an appointment at the Embassy/Consulate – You will need to schedule an appointment at your local Embassy/Consulate. At the appointment, you will submit your documents and attend an in-person interview. After a successful interview, you will receive your Portuguese Work Visa. If you are nervous about your appointment, we can help you pass your interview with ease.
Your work visa will grant you entry to Portugal and is only valid for 4 months. You will need to travel to Portugal within 4 months to start the application process for your residence permit.
Register for social security and get a tax number – The first thing you need to do is register for social security in Portugal. You can register for your social security at the Portuguese Social Security Office.
Your tax number (NIF) can be acquired before you travel to Portugal. Remember you will need to have a Portuguese Bank Account before applying for your NIF. If you do not have any one of these, you can easily apply for it in Portugal. We recommend using Bordr as it is the fastest and easiest way to get your NIF and Portuguese Bank Account.
Book an appointment at SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) – Once in Portugal, you will need to book your appointment at SEF. Here you will attend another interview. After you have passed your interview, your biometric data will be collected, and you will receive your residency permit.
Note: When applying for your visa at the Embassy, they will make the SEF appointment for you. The Embassy officials require you to provide details of your departure date and where you will be living in Portugal. If you are not sure of any of these, you can schedule your appointment as soon as you are in Portugal.
If you have a Portuguese Work Visa, you are allowed to work in Portugal for 1-2 years. If you wish to work in Portugal longer, you need to renew your permit before it expires.
Essentially a Portuguese Work Visa is a residence permit that allows you to work in Portugal. After 5 years in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residence or Portuguese Citizenship.
No. Once you are a Portuguese citizen you do not need to renew or apply for a new work visa.
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can work in Portugal without acquiring a work visa. Note that if you intend to stay more than 3 months, you need to obtain a Residency Certificate.
Unfortunately, if you are a non-EU citizen you need to apply for a specific work visa if you wish to work in Portugal.
The most common requirements include: