All about work in Portugal

All about work in Portugal

Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.

18 09 2023

Read the full article here.

Looking forward to working in Portugal? Discover the appropriate visa for you, how to apply, and the best places to work in Portugal.

Work-related questions are quite common among expats. There’s much to decide between all the visas, procedures, and possibilities before you get to work in Portugal.

That’s why in this article, we will go through some topics related to working in this beautiful country, highlighting the procedures to obtain the Work Visa, also known as D1 Visa.

With this visa, you will be able to develop a professional activity, obtain a Residence Permit and receive a salary in Portugal. Let’s dive into all you need to know to make this plan come true!

Why work in Portugal?

Normally, those who think of working in Portugal are looking to experience an excellent quality of life and better living conditions. 

Let’s summarize the benefits related to living in Portugal:

As per the Global Peace Index of 2021, Portugal is considered the 4th safest country in the world;

One of the lowest living costs in Europe;

Heavenly natural places;

Refined gastronomy;

One of the best wine producers in Europe;

Very welcoming people.

Portugal’s current scenario

As we are discussing topics related to working in Portugal, it’s important to highlight that this country has an excellent structure for developing activities, mainly at the business level.

This situation can be proven by the different hub spots for companies and startups that we find in Portugal.

We should also consider the quality of Portugal’s internet connection, which is one of the fastest in the world.

For these reasons and so many others, many giant companies like Google, Vodafone, and Volkswagen, or even Startups like DefinedCrowd, Sword Health, and Jscrambler, have already started operating in Portugal.

In short, Portugal has a large and developed country structure, although it’s small area-wise.

Brief Considerations on Visas for Portugal

The initial procedure for obtaining a Work Visa must be processed at the Consulate of Portugal, located in the applicant’s home country. The consulate will conduct a prior analysis of the documents submitted by the applicant.

Depending on your country of origin, you can also start this process online on the VFS Global website.

If the documents meet the requirements, the visa will be granted.

After obtaining the requested visa (which corresponds to an authorization stamped on the applicant’s passport), the procedure’s second stage begins.

At this point, you will be able to apply for the Residence Permit in Portugal.

Country of Residence: Initial application procedure for obtaining a visa to Portugal. This process takes place at the Consulate of Portugal at the applicant’s residence address.

In Portugal: Final step of the procedure. The applicant who already has a visa stamped on his/her Passport must apply for his/her Residence Permit at the Foreigners and Borders Services (SEF) in Portugal.

Therefore, the process of obtaining the Residence Permit will be completed in Portugal.

It’s also worth emphasizing that the D1 Visa corresponds to the request for a Residence Visa for exercising a professional activity.

This visa will enable its holder to obtain a Residence Permit in Portugal, which will be valid for 2 years.

To see the different types of Visas click here