Top In-Demand Occupations in Portugal (2025)

Portugal is fast emerging as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for skilled professionals, especially for those looking to work in Portugal from the UAE. With strong economic growth and a rising demand for tech and healthcare professionals, job opportunities in Portugal for foreigners are expanding rapidly in 2025.

• There were more than 120,000 job openings in early 2024, according to IEFP.
• The healthcare and tech industries are lacking workers the most.
• Engineers, IT folks, and tradespeople are some of the top roles in demand.
• Portugal handed out over 30,000 work permits in the first quarter of 2024.
• It now takes about 6 to 8 weeks to process visas, which is quicker than the 3 months it took last year.

*Want to apply for Portugal Work Visa? Y-Axis is here to offer guidance with the process.

 

Why Work in Portugal?

Portugal is a great place for professionals because it offers a good quality of life, an affordable cost of living, and a job market that’s expanding, especially in IT and tourism. The country is friendly to businesses and has a skilled workforce that speaks multiple languages, making it an appealing spot for both companies and workers.

Here are some reasons why Portugal is a top choice for a job abroad:

• Quality of Life: Cost-effective living, beautiful views, a solid healthcare system, safety, and a good work-life balance.
• Job Market: A growing tech scene, a thriving tourism industry, a diverse workforce, and a welcoming attitude towards foreigners.
• Other Perks: Tax benefits, easy travel around Europe, and a lively culture with lots of social activities.

With its mix of job opportunities and a great quality of life, Portugal is becoming a popular choice for anyone looking to work and live overseas.

 

Top In-Demand Occupations in Portugal

Portugal's job market is booming in the fields of IT, healthcare, hospitality, and construction. At present, there is a need for IT engineers, doctors, nurses, and various hospitality roles like chefs and waitstaff. In addition, with tourism on the rise, jobs for hotel managers and other hospitality positions are increasing too.

 

Healthcare Sector

The popular roles in the healthcare sectors of Portugal are given below.

Job Role	Average Monthly Salary (EUR)
General Practitioner	4,200
Registered Nurse	2,200
Dentist	3,800
Physiotherapist	2,100
Radiologist	4,000
Psychiatrist	4,300
Anesthesiologist	4,600
Elder Care Assistant	1,500
Medical Technician	2,000
Clinical Psychologist	3,200

 

Information Technology (IT)

The popular job roles in the IT sector of Portugal are given below.

Job Role	Average Monthly Salary (EUR)
Software Developer	3,500
Data Scientist	4,200
Cybersecurity Specialist	3,800
Full Stack Developer	3,600
DevOps Engineer	3,900
AI/ML Engineer	4,500
Cloud Architect	4,000
Web Developer	2,800
IT Support Engineer	2,300
UI/UX Designer	2,900

 

Engineering & Construction

Portugal has a high demand for these job roles in its Engineering & Construction sector.

Job Role	Average Monthly Salary (EUR)
Civil Engineer	3,000
Electrical Engineer	3,200
Mechanical Engineer	3,100
Project Engineer	3,400
Structural Engineer	3,300
Quantity Surveyor	3,200
Architect	3,600
Construction Manager	3,800
Site Supervisor	2,700
HVAC Engineer	2,800

 

Skilled Trades

International individuals in the Skilled Trades sector can apply for these job roles.

Job Role	Average Monthly Salary (EUR)
Electrician	1,800
Plumber	1,700
Carpenter	1,600
Welder	1,700
HVAC Technician	1,750
Mechanic	1,600
Roofer	1,500
Painter	1,400
Machine Operator	1,650
Fabricator	1,600

 

Education Sector

The popular job roles in the Education Sector of Portugal are given below.

Job Role	Average Monthly Salary (EUR)
Primary School Teacher	2,100
Secondary School Teacher	2,300
English Language Teacher	2,000
Special Needs Educator	2,200
STEM Subject Teacher	2,500
Vocational Trainer	2,400
Early Childhood Educator	1,800
Academic Counselor	2,600
University Lecturer	3,100
Curriculum Designer	2,400

 

Work Visas and Residence Permits for Portugal

As a foreign national, if you want to work in Portugal, you must apply for a Portuguese work visa and a residence permit. The work visa gets you into the country, and the residence permit lets you live and work here for a longer time. Generally, you will first get the work visa and then apply for the residence permit once you are in Portugal.

There are various types of Portugal Work Visa for varied purposes and duration. The primary types of Portuguese Work Visas are given below.

• Portugal Work Visa
• Job Seeker Visa
• Tech Visa
• EU Blue Card

Portugal Work Visa

The Portugal Standard Work Visa, or Portugal D1 visa, is for people who have a job offer and want to live and work in Portugal for a long time. It is designed for those planning to relocate for work. This visa lets you stay in Portugal for more than a year and needs some extra paperwork compared to short-term work visas. It is a long-term Schengen visa (Type D), so you can also travel and work anywhere in the Schengen area.

 

Job Seeker Visa

The Portugal Job Seeker Visa lets you enter and stay in Portugal to search for jobs in the country. It is valid for up to 120 days, with an option to extend it by 60 more days. Once you secure a job Portugal, you can apply for the Portugal Standard Work Visa and residence permit.

 

Tech Visa

The Portugal Tech Visa helps Portuguese companies bring in skilled workers from outside the EU, especially from countries that are not a part of the Schengen area. This program makes it easier for tech professionals to get their visas and residence permits, focusing mainly on those in technology and innovation.

 

EU Blue Card

The Portugal EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled non-EU citizens. It lets them live and work in Portugal and can also allow them to move to other EU countries later on, as long as they meet certain conditions. The goal is to bring in talented workers and help them settle into the job market in Portugal and the rest of Europe. It is valid for 4 years.

 

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria to apply for the Portugal Work Visa are given below.

• You need a valid job offer or proof that you plan to work (for a Job Seeker Visa).
• Your salary should be at least €705 a month or more.
• You must have a place to stay and enough money.
• No criminal records
• You need to have the required educational or vocational qualifications.

Required Documents

The documents required to apply for the Portugal Work Visa are given below.

• A valid passport that's good for at least 6 months
• A job offer or a contract from your employer
• Your academic and work certificates
• Proof of where you’ll be staying
• Evidence that you have enough money
• Health insurance
• A police clearance certificate
• The visa application form and the receipt for the fee

 

Application Process

The process to apply for Portugal Work Visa is given below.

Step 1: Pick the right visa for your job situation or plans to find work. 

Step 2: Get all your documents ready, make sure to translate and get them legalized if needed. 

Step 3: Hand in your application at the Portuguese Embassy or VFS in the UAE. 

Step 4: Provide your biometric info and go through an interview. 

Step 5: Get your visa and fly to Portugal for work.

Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time for various Portugal Work Visas are given below.

Type	Processing Time
Portugal Work Visa	6 to 9 weeks
Portugal Job Seeker Visa	4 to 6 weeks
Portugal Tech Visa	30 to 60 days
EU Blue Card	45 to 60 days

 

Cost of Portugal Work Visa

Detailed information about the application cost of Portugal Work Visa are given below.

Visa Type	Estimated Cost (EUR)
Work Visa	90–120
Residence Permit	150–200
Job Seeker Visa	80
EU Blue Card	100–150
Other Costs	Insurance, translation, biometrics

 

Benefits of Working in Portugal

The benefits of working in Portugal are given below.

• Live legally in the EU and travel to 27 Schengen countries.
• Enjoy free public healthcare and education.
• Bring your family over with any visa type.
• You can apply for citizenship after living here for 5 years.
• Experience a good mix of career opportunities and a great quality of life.

 

Tips for UAE-Based Professionals

Here are some useful tips for professionals looking to work in Portugal:

• Get your academic and professional documents translated and verified early.
• Pick up some basic Portuguese to make it easier to settle in and communicate.
• Customise your CV to fit European styles; using the Europass format is a good idea.
• Check out reliable job sites like IEFP, EURES, and LinkedIn.
• Look for jobs in areas where there are shortages, as this can speed up your visa approval.

 

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis helps people in the UAE who want to work in Portugal. Here's what we offer:

• Help with job search and resume marketing.
• Advice on choosing the right visa, like Work, Job Seeker, Tech, or Blue Card.
• Support with getting your documents ready and approved.
• Prep for interviews and advice on moving.
• Assistance with family sponsorship and residence cards.