- Points Based
- Most people below the age of 51 years old, with an occupation (listed on each country’s list), 2+ years of work experience & good English / French are eligible for this
- It is the most popular way of settling overseas
In-Demand Occupations in Portugal, Work in Portugal, Portugal Work Visa, Portugal job Seeker visa, Portugal work visa fees, Portugal work visa requirements, Job in Portugal, Portugal job market for foreigners, Best jobs in Portugal for English speakers, Portugal Work Visa eligibility
Find top in-demand jobs in Portugal for 2025. Apply for a Portugal work visa from UAE. Find high-paying skilled jobs for foreigners. Book a free consultation.
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.
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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.
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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.