To legally work in Portugal, a foreigner must obtain a work visa. Find out what types of work visas are relevant in Portugal in 2024 and what is the procedure for obtaining a permit

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Non-EU citizens, including Tunisia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Cameroon, who wish to work in Portugal must apply for a Portuguese work visa. However, the procedure for obtaining a permit involves fulfilling a number of requirements. Read more about the types of Portuguese work visas and the procedure for obtaining them later in this article.

Requirements for obtaining a work visa in Portugal

To be eligible for a Portuguese work visa, a foreigner must:

- Have a job offer from an employer in Portugal. The vacancy announcement must be published at least one month in advance so that the relevant authorities can verify that the position could not be filled by a Portuguese or EU citizen.

- Your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf. They submit the application to the Portuguese labor authorities.

Who does not need a work visa to work in Portugal?

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA or Swiss country, you can work without a visa in Portugal, but you will need to obtain a residence permit (Certificado de Registo) if you intend to live in Portugal for more than three months.

Types of Portuguese work visas in 2024

Depending on the applicant’s profession or qualifications, an expat can apply for the following types of work visas in Portugal:

1. Skilled worker work visa.

You must have a job offer in one of the qualifying professions or positions – scientists, healthcare professionals, IT professionals, engineers or people who hold senior or administrative positions in a company.

2. Self-employed work visa.

If you own a business or offer services, you can apply for a self-employed visa in Portugal.

3. EU Blue Card.

If you have exceptional qualifications in your profession and receive a salary at least 1.5 times higher than the average annual gross salary in Portugal.

4. Cultural work visa.

If you will be involved in a cultural activity in Portugal or in a project recognized by the relevant Portuguese authorities.

5. Educational work visa.

You are eligible for this visa if you have received a job offer in an educational or vocational institution or in a research center in Portugal.

6. Technical visa.

You can apply for this type of work visa if you work for a company that is active in the field of technology and innovation.

You will need health insurance to safely move and find employment in a new country. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Document package for obtaining a work visa to Portugal

To obtain a work visa to Portugal, you must provide the following package of documents:

- Your valid passport.

- Passport-sized photographs according to the guidelines for Portuguese visa images.

- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself in Portugal.

- Certificate of no criminal record from your country of residence.

- Document authorizing the SEF to check your Portuguese criminal record.

- Proof of health insurance as a foreign worker.

- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract, property title deed).

- Your employment contract.

- If you are already in Portugal: proof of legal entry into Portuguese territory, such as a visa.

Important! All documents you submit must be in English or Portuguese. You can have the certificates translated by a certified translator and then notarized. Certain documents, such as diplomas or civil status documents, may need to be legalized. You can legalize documents through an apostille stamp or through the Portuguese embassy in your country.

How to apply for a work visa in Portugal? Step by step procedure

Step 1 – The employer applies for a work permit.

When your employer offers you a job, they must apply for a work permit (Autorização de Trabalho) with the Portuguese labor authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF) on your behalf.

To do this, the employer must have the following documents:

- Employment contract.

- Company tax returns.

- Proof of registration with the social security authorities.

- Proof that an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen could not have taken up the position.

Step 2 – The expat applies for a work visa.

Once you have obtained a work permit in Portugal, you can apply for a work visa at the Portuguese embassy in your country. This visa will allow you to travel to Portugal for work purposes and apply for a residence permit. The application process is as follows:

- Find the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate.

- Make an appointment to apply. You may need to call or email in advance.

- Gather the necessary documents.

- Submit your documents on the day of your appointment. You may also need to attend a visa interview.

This type of visa is valid for around three to four months, during which you must apply for a residence permit and register your stay.

Step 3 – Obtain a residence permit in Portugal.

Upon arrival in Portugal, you must apply for a residence permit for work at the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). This is what allows you to live in Portugal long-term.

How long does it take to get a Portuguese work visa?

The processing time for a work visa is several months.

The processing time for a residence permit is up to 60 days.

However, this does not necessarily mean that it will take that long, your visa may be processed faster depending on your specific circumstances.

Cost of a work visa in Portugal

When applying for a work visa, you must pay the following fees.

1. The cost of an entry visa issued by a Portuguese embassy is €90 (may vary from country to country).

2. Applying for a residence permit for work at SEF is €83.

3. Obtaining a residence permit for work from SEF is €72.

Validity of a work visa in Portugal

After you apply for a work visa, you will receive a residence permit, which is the basis for living and working in Portugal. It is usually valid for one to two years.

After 1-2 years, you can renew this permit at SEF before its expiration date, if you still have a job offer from your employer.

After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.

Does a work visa lead to Portuguese citizenship?

Yes, if you have lived in Portugal as a permanent or temporary resident for at least six years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Among the requirements are that you must be fluent in Portuguese and have connections with the Portuguese community.

As a reminder, Portugal is a promising country for expat employment, attracting many foreigners. However, the local labor market has its own characteristics. We have already told you where most foreigners work in Portugal, what requirements are imposed on applicants, how to look for a job and many other interesting information about working in Portugal.

Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

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