Portugal is one of the most favorite countries among tourists for a pleasant pastime. On the other hand, it is not so attractive for finding a job. There are objective reasons for this.
The thing is that the Portuguese economy, which experienced a real “boom” in the mid-90s of the last century, is currently heavily dependent on external investment. Therefore, it periodically experiences fluctuations, although in general the situation remains stable. But such a situation cannot but have an impact on the employment market. The minimum wage in Portugal is one of the lowest in the European Union and is about 500 euros. Therefore, this country is not recommended for employment for those who plan to earn big money.
Those who are qualified enough to earn decent money even here, or for whom money is only one of the factors for coming to this country, will find other reasons to live and work here. But here you can find many other advantages, for example:
- excellent mild climate;
- good kitchen;
- social guarantees;
- inexpensive rental housing;
- sun all year round;
- cheap vegetables and fruits.
The most attractive cities for work are large cities such as Lisbon, Porto and Minho. It is their size that allows us to hope for the availability of jobs. True, it is not possible to find work there in every specialty, because some industries and areas of production are more developed in smaller settlements.
Labor market situation
Before you get a job in Portugal, you need to carefully consider who exactly you want to work with and how much you will earn. If you want to take a more or less qualified position with a salary above average, then you must have knowledge of Portuguese or English. Knowledge of both is welcome. But even in this case, it is possible to get a job, according to EU labor legislation, only if a citizen of Portugal or another Union country is not applying for this position. As a last resort, the employer must prove that the applicant is so good that he has no equal in the labor market.
Lately the vacancy situation has not been very good. Several branches of large international corporations have closed. Even among the Portuguese, a large number of educated unemployed people have appeared, registered with the labor exchange and willing to work even in low-skilled positions. More details about how much you can earn in Portugal will be discussed below.
However, this does not mean that work in Portugal for Russians in 2021 does not have any prospects and offers. In fact, this problem does not affect all industries. In Portugal, as in the rest of the world, there is a rapid development of information technology. This has led to a shortage of such specialties as system administrators, network security specialists and programmers. On average, they are willing to pay up to 1000 euros monthly.
Another area that is currently open to both Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians is medicine. You can find a job in Portugal without intermediaries in this area without any problems, the main thing is that the level of qualifications is sufficient. To do this, it is necessary to confirm a diploma of medical education, which, according to reviews of doctors working there from the countries of the former USSR, is much easier to do compared to the USA, Germany or France. Working as a doctor in Portugal pays quite well. The salary reaches one and a half thousand euros. The following specialties are in greatest demand:
- anesthetist;
- traumatologist;
- surgeon;
- cardiologist.
In addition, positions of junior and paramedical personnel and home care nurses for elderly and sick people are in great demand. People from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are hired for these positions much more readily than people from the Middle East and Africa, because their reputation is much better.
Construction in Portugal is currently not as vigorous as it used to be, but construction workers will also be able to find a place for themselves in this country. The thing is that the locals do not really like physical labor, preferring to sit back and live on benefits. Therefore, most of those who work on construction sites are visitors from other countries. Work is available in Portugal without knowledge of the language for the following specialties:
- crane operator;
- painter;
- mason;
- plasterer;
- tile setter.
Jobs are also open in Portugal for Russian women for low-skilled work. They can get a job as a packer, sorter, salesperson, cleaner, maid and waitress. In addition, there is the opportunity to work as a manicurist, masseuse, hairdresser or seamstress. The earnings of these specialties range from 600 to 700 euros monthly.
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Features of job search in Portugal
Those Russians who decide to work in Portugal will have a hard time. In recent years, this country, along with Spain and Greece, ranks among the first in Europe in terms of unemployment. It makes up about 13% of the total population, and among young people - 35%. And yet, finding a job in Portugal is possible if you have a sought-after specialty or are willing to change your occupation. Knowledge of languages is of great importance.
Where to look for work
You should not go to Portugal in the hope of getting a job. Work for Russians is offered on special websites on the Internet. Among them there are English-speaking ones; many international companies have offices in the country.
Possibility of seasonal income
If there are no plans to move to Portugal for a long time, you can find employment opportunities in Portugal for Russians for seasonal work. In most cases it is associated with agriculture.
Portugal is known for a large number of farms that grow bananas, oranges, strawberries, tangerines, lemons, etc. Workers from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are highly valued among farmers due to their hard work. Due to difficult working conditions (8-10 hours in the field under the hot rays of the sun), locals completely refuse to do this, and immigrants from Asia and Africa do not enjoy due trust.
However, the living conditions are quite good. The workers live on the farm. They have the opportunity to take a shower, have a toilet, a kitchen, a bedroom and even Internet access.
Don't forget about the tourism business. During the season, the number of requests for positions among service personnel increases sharply. It is required in hotels and inns. In addition, there is a very high demand for animators, excursion bus drivers, and instructors in various sports, especially extreme ones.
You can also look for work in a field of activity such as the fishing industry. There is always an acute shortage of labor on fishing vessels. In addition, few people want to work in a fish factory due to the specific working conditions. Therefore, finding a job there will not be a big problem either.
The most in-demand professions in Portugal
Today, some professions are in great demand on the Portuguese labor market. Despite unemployment, residents of this country are sometimes simply unable to cover the labor shortage using their own human resources, especially when it comes to hard physical labor. The largest number of suitable vacancies for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians is available in the construction, fishing, and agricultural sectors of the Portuguese economy. Service personnel are also in high demand. Millions of tourists visit Portugal every year, so you can always find work in a restaurant, cafe or hotel. For those who plan to work illegally on Portuguese territory, it is important to understand that there is only one opportunity for them to work - as unskilled laborers. Next, you should consider the most common employment options in Portugal.
Construction workers are in high demand in Portugal
It was hard work. Ignorance of the language greatly affected my husband’s salary, and mine too. But we slowly adapted. They worked from eight in the morning until twelve at night. We were given three days off a month, and even then separately. The food was pretty good. I worked in the kitchen - washed dishes, peeled potatoes, fried meat. Igor was a bartender - he polished glasses, made coffee, and arranged bottles. Our salary was small, not at all what we expected. In three months, we only worked off the money we borrowed for paperwork, buying tickets and other “little things” without which it is impossible to go abroad. But in addition to these debts, we had to pay $600 for getting us a job.
Natalia Kosenko
https://www.zagranitsa.info/article.php?new=211&idart=21111
Seasonal work
Migrant workers from the CIS countries often take advantage of the opportunity to earn money from seasonal work in Portugal. Most often this is the harvesting of grapes, as well as other agricultural crops, which takes place at a certain period of the year. At this time, there is an acute shortage of workers in the agro-industrial sector of Portugal.
Today, the largest number of migrant workers come to Portugal as seasonal workers. As a percentage, their number exceeds 50% of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. As a rule, teams of seasonal workers are formed in the country of residence. They can hire a bus, take an organized train with many transfers, or fly by plane.
Harvesting grapes is one of the types of seasonal work in Portugal
Usually there is a preliminary agreement with the Portuguese employer, who is waiting for seasonal workers and counting on them. The working day of “seasonal workers” lasts up to 12 hours in a row with a short break for lunch and begins very early. Portuguese farmers actively use the right weather and time of year to maximize harvest efficiency. It should be remembered that seasonal work at agricultural enterprises is quite hard work. It is paid better than, for example, in Poland. Seasonal workers in Portugal can earn up to 1,000 euros per month. There are two forms of payment for their work: hourly and based on output. In the hourly form, they pay for the time they work on the plantation, and in the payment based on production, “seasonal workers” receive money for the actual volume of the harvested crop.
The main requirements for seasonal workers are:
- age from 20 to 55 years;
- at least minimal experience in agriculture;
- no serious health problems. Diseases of the back and spine, hypertension, and heart problems are especially not welcome.
Low skilled labor
As a rule, unqualified workers are also offered temporary work. Housing construction in Portugal occurs at a fairly fast pace, so construction sites require general workers, masons, façade workers, and so on. Their work can be called low-skilled only with a reservation. But the time of work in Portugal will be limited to the period of construction of a certain facility. When it ends, you have to look for a new job. Many migrant workers from the CIS countries are involved in the fishing industry. Portuguese enterprises conduct active fishing in the Atlantic, so they require a large number of workers during the season. In this case, it is also necessary to have certain specialized experience and skills.
Portugal's fishing industry often faces labor shortages
Unfortunately, the fishing industry in Portugal suffered significantly from the introduction of quotas by the European Union, which reduced the volume of catch, and processing at fish processing enterprises (where migrants from the CIS countries also work) and further exports.
It is relatively easy to find work for cooks, their assistants, waiters, maids, and tourist guides. In the latter case, a good knowledge of the Portuguese language will be required. There are always vacancies for women in these areas, and they often care for elderly or sick people.
Highly skilled labor
Specialists with higher education and specialized work experience can relatively easily find vacancies in the IT field and management of international companies. Doctors of most specializations, as well as nursing and junior medical personnel, are in high demand. For doctors and nursing staff, mandatory nostrification of a diploma in Portugal will be required, since university diplomas in the CIS countries require mandatory legalization in the European Union. In-demand specialties also include English language teachers, who, by the way, are required in many countries around the world where English is not the official language.
After nostrification of a diploma in Portugal, doctors from the CIS countries can count on decent wages
Thus, it can be stated that for labor migrants from the CIS countries who have the appropriate education and experience, the opportunity is open not only to seasonal low-skilled work in Portugal. If you wish, you can find a job as a specialist with a well-rated salary.
Obtaining a permit for official employment
To go to work in Portugal, as in any other country in the Schengen area, you need to obtain a category D visa. This can be done at the Portuguese consulate. Depending on the application, you can obtain permission to stay in the country from 3 months to a year for a short-term period and up to 5 years for a long-term period, with the possibility of extension up to 10 years. After six years of continuous residence in the country, you can apply for citizenship.
The procedure for obtaining a work visa consists of going through the following stages:
searching for a vacancy;- discussions with a potential employer about the possibility of cooperation;
- providing, if both parties are interested, the employer with the data necessary to obtain a permit, which is issued if there are no applicants for this vacancy within a month among citizens of member countries of the European Union;
- discussing the details of the employment contract and signing the contract;
- preparing documents for obtaining a work visa;
- making appointments at the Portuguese Embassy;
- agreeing on the date of submission of prepared documents and checks for payment of consular and service fees.
The package of documentation required to obtain a visa includes the following papers:
- copy and original of the foreign passport;
- copy and original of civil passport;
- two dated forms, signed by the applicant and completed according to the template, in Portuguese or English;
- three photographs measuring 45x35 mm;
- copy and original of the employment contract or work permit.
Sometimes you may need to submit additional documents, for example, a marriage certificate, mental health status, property value, and others.
A sample application form can be taken directly from the embassy or on its official website. There you can also read the list of all documentation in more detail.
A personal interview has a great influence on the chance of obtaining a visa. The better the impression the applicant makes, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome. In fact, the criteria for obtaining a visa to Portugal are not the most strict, so obtaining one will not be particularly difficult. A work visa to Portugal can be obtained independently or with the help of agencies that have received accreditation from the embassy of this country. The period for receiving it is 1 month.
What criteria are used to select candidates for a job?
Getting a legal job occurs in full compliance with the legislation of the European Union. Applicants from Portugal are considered first, then applicants from EU member states, and only then all others. If there are no people willing to fill the vacant position from the first two zones, then a work permit is issued for a period of 6 months. The following criteria are taken into account:
- presence or absence of a European diploma;
- knowledge of Portuguese;
- knowledge of English;
- work experience in the specialty;
- availability of letters of recommendation;
- availability of European-style advanced training certificates.
If the employee has performed well, wants to continue cooperation, and the employer fully agrees with him, then he extends the contract and visa for another six months.
If a foreigner works in Portugal for a long time, he has the right to register temporary residence with a work visa. This will allow him to have the opportunity to apply for a residence permit. If a person has officially worked in the country for 6 years, then he has the right to apply for citizenship.
Business immigration
Foreign investors can obtain a residence permit without any problems. The Portuguese government strongly encourages entrepreneurs who create new jobs and develop the economy. For each subordinate you must pay a tax of 18%.
The advantages of this type of immigration are obvious:
- high chances of staying in the country legally;
- simplification of the taxation system;
- favorable forecast for the development of any type of legitimate business;
- availability of small start-up capital.
To move, you must register a business and apply for a D visa.
Conditions for business emigration
Like most EU countries, Portugal has found itself in the whirlpool of the global economic crisis. Therefore, over the past years, several laws have been developed and adopted to improve the investment climate in the country. In particular, it is now possible to obtain Portuguese citizenship when investing. The minimum investment threshold must be more than 280 thousand euros. This amount can be increased to 450 thousand euros, depending on the program. Large investors can obtain Portuguese citizenship in one year. Medium and small - apply for a residence permit and further legalization in Portugal. When registering your own enterprise, you will need to create more than 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens, show its profitability during the year, and also enlist the support of local authorities in their positive assessment of the activities of this structure for the region in which it is located.
The level of taxation in Portugal is average when compared with EU countries.
Investing in the Portuguese economy and starting a business allows you to obtain a residence permit and citizenship under a simplified program
Portugal is a beautiful European country that will seem like a little fairy tale to anyone who has visited it for the first time. But in order for this fairy tale to become a reality for those who have chosen Portugal for labor immigration, you should thoroughly study all the rules and nuances of work for foreigners. And also get acquainted with the experience of those compatriots who have already managed to work in it.
Upgrading your qualifications in Portugal
Attractive conditions have been created for internships in various areas of the service sector, manufacturing, trade and science. Applicants from different parts of the world come here to improve their skills. In the capital, specialists without experience in banking, tourism, law, and energy are in demand. An intern's salary starts from 500 euros per month. Specialists in agriculture and the oil refining industry are in demand in the regions.
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What is the average and minimum salary in Portugal
In 2021, the minimum wage in Portugal is 650 euros. The average salary in the country fluctuates around 1000 euros. In this case, we are talking about money received in hand after deducting all taxes. Various professions and fields of activity are paid in Portugal as follows (monthly salary):
- senior management of companies - from 6,000 euros;
- marketing specialists - from 4,000 euros;
- civil engineers - from - 3000 euros;
- production workers - from 2600 euros;
- wholesale and retail trade workers - from 2500 euros;
- software engineers, information security specialists - from 4,000 euros;
- English teachers - from 1300 euros;
- workers in the field of advertising and design - from 1200 euros;
- workers employed in the hotel business and tourism - from 1100 euros;
- pharmaceutical industry workers - from 1000 euros;
- agricultural workers - from 700 euros;
- workers on fishing boats - from 1000 euros;
- drivers, waiters, maids - from 650 euros.
Pay varies significantly between different regions of Portugal. For example, in Lisbon, the same job can earn twice as much as in a remote agricultural region. They pay the most in large cities, which is typical for almost all EU countries.
Working in the capital of the country, Lisbon, is much more profitable
Is it worth working informally?
Illegal employment is not encouraged in the countries of the European Union. Both the employee and the employer can suffer. In addition, it is in the order of things that conscientious citizens notify the authorities about the fact of illegal employment. A foreigner who violates the law faces deportation and a ban on entry into the country for a period of 1 to 10 years. This especially applies to persons who entered Portugal on a tourist visa.
It is also worth noting that informally employed people receive 2 times less than people working under a contract. They cannot use social benefits. Illegal employment involves the most low-prestige, low-skilled and hard work.
