Portugal Job Market in 2025-26

• There are approximately 57,357 job vacancies in Portugal.
• Most in-demand jobs are in information and communication technologies, business support centres, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, construction and renewable energy sectors.
• The tech industry is growing rapidly giving scope for 1000s of opportunitites
• GDP grew by 5.5%

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Job Outlook in Portugal

Understanding the job outlook for job seekers and employers

Portuguese companies face special challenges hiring individuals in communication technologies, information, business support centres, healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, construction, and renewable energy sectors.

If foreigners want to live and work in Portugal and are in any of these professional categories, they have a better chance of receiving a Portuguese work visa.
 

General employment trends for the year

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the Portuguese employment market, changing employees' perspectives on their work-life balance. Above all, many employers' technical and operational adjustments to allow remote work during COVID-19 led employees to become habitual to a new model in specific sectors, especially remote work. This factor influenced the regulation of remote work in Portugal.
 

Factors influencing job creation or reduction

After defeating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese labour market seems to be happy: the unemployment rate is low, while the number of job vacancies is high (1.4% of the total number of people employed)
 

In-Demand Industries and Occupations

Analysis of industries experiencing growth and increased demand for skilled workers

Digital change demands new skills. Besides digital learning, critical thinking and data learning are among the top 10 skills in most demand in the next 10 years. Everything will occur in surroundings where 27% of the residents have limited or no digital skills (among the unemployed, this percentage exceeds 33%).

Alternatively, the long-term unemployment rate grows higher with age. In 2021, 27% of the unemployed aged 15 to 29 had been out of work for more than 12 months; this number increased to 53% among the unemployed aged 45 to 49 and 59% among those aged 50 and over.

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Discussion on specific occupations in demand

The most in-demand occupations looking for highly skilled workers and their average salaries per year are listed below:

Source: Talent site
 

Workforce demands in different States of Portugal.

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Highlighting areas with notable job opportunities or challenges

Tourism is important to Portugal’s economy, with various part-time and seasonal jobs across the industry, especially in catering and hotels. In recent years, the call centre industry has also increased, granting opportunities for multi-lingual workers, while the automotive trade, construction, and repair sectors showed some job growth.

Skills shortages have been reported in several sectors including:

• Communications (particularly call centres)
• It
• Healthcare
• Tourism and hospitality
• Agriculture

Impact of Technology and Automation in Portugal

Discussion on how technological advancements and automation are shaping the job market

Portuguese business culture concentrates on building close relationships. Many businesses in Portugal have remained family-run due to the importance of the family in business over the years.

In many northern and central European countries, larger organizations tend to be more hierarchical than smaller ones. Meetings are often more personal than people from countries such as the UK or Germany are used to. Decisions are usually left to the most senior staff. Long business lunches are common, and it’s not unusual for them to occur in a business partner’s home.

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Potential opportunities and challenges for workers in the evolving landscape

Portuguese companies face challenges hiring individuals in sectors such as information and communication technologies, hospitality, construction, healthcare, agriculture, business support centres, and renewable energy.
 

Skills in demand in Portugal

Identification of key skills sought by employers

It is important to know what employers look for and examine candidates for job application. In some industries, there are key soft skills employers value because they show your potential to work with other people, adapt to new situations and be an asset to the team.
 

Importance of upskilling or reskilling for job seekers

Upskilling and reskilling will expand earning potential and provide opportunities for career growth. By upskilling and reskilling, candidates can stay competitive in the job market and expand their chances of success in a quickly changing world.
 

Remote Work and Flexible Arrangements

Exploration of the continuing trend of remote work

Remote work has become more common because it provides advantages for employees and employers. Remote work was the extended effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made many organizations shift from a traditional work environment to a fully remote workforce for safety and health reasons.
 

Implications for both employers and employees

An employer must provide both workers and employers with details of their basic terms, such as how much they will be paid, hours they will work, their holiday liberty, their place of work and so on, on their first day of employment.

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Government Policies and Initiatives

Overview of any government programs or policies influencing employment

The Portuguese workforce has achieved one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, close to the average EU rate of 6%. This is very admirable compared to their near neighbour, Spain has an unemployment rate of 12%. This job market can be assigned to several factors.

Firstly, the Portuguese government have invested more in job creation initiatives, focusing on technology and start-up companies. Moreover, many businesses are choosing to open their doors in Portugal, taking advantage of their favourable corporate tax laws and incentives for hiring new employees.

It’s also significant to note that the country’s booming tourism industry has greatly affected job availability in Portugal. The tourism sector accounts for 10% of the workforce, making it a major driver of employment in the country. With unemployment statistics remaining low despite the global pandemic, it’s clear that Portugal is doing something right when it comes to its workforce. As the nation continues investing in creating new job opportunities and nurturing its vibrant tourism industry, there is every reason to believe this trend will continue.

Analysis of how policy changes may impact the job market

The change in wages reflects the stability of demand and supply in the labour market. If demand is highly comparable to supply, income will increase. This will surge the cost of employing people, which will cause demand for human resources to drop, easing the rising pressure on wages.
 

Challenges and Opportunities for Job Seekers in Portugal

Discussion on the challenges faced by job seekers

Many companies related to technology in Portugal, whose number is increasing almost every minute, welcome workers worldwide. Finding a job in a more conventional industry without knowing Portuguese can be difficult. This means the job market in Portugal is different for people who only speak English and for people who speak Portuguese or any other language.

With such strong conflict for jobs, European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals should start looking for work as early as possible. If you're from outside the EU, you must look for a fixed job before moving to the country.

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Tips and strategies for navigating the job market successfully

It's important to make your CV/resume stand out from the competition because it's your first impression of potential employers in Portugal. Highlight your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience at the beginning of your CV. Emphasize your completion of any certifications, degrees, or training programs. Customize your CV to coordinate with the job requirements you are applying for, focusing on appropriate achievements and projects. 

Keep your CV short, well-organised, and error-free. Highlight your accomplishments and responsibilities with bullet points. Include a professional profile or summary at the beginning of your CV to grab the attention of employers.
 

Summary of Portugal Job Outlook

If you plan to work in Portugal, it is vital to learn and research the job market, look at the work culture and set realistic expectations before applying. Portuguese companies are growing, with importance on age and priority. The work culture focuses on building long-term relationships with clients, suppliers and partners. Portuguese people often prefer face-to-face meetings over conference calls and emails. Employees usually work for 40 hours per week, covering over five days. Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 

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