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German Jobs in Portugal

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ortugal is worth a trip. That is for sure. It must be even nicer to live and work there for a while! If that’s what you’re saying, you’re probably looking for a job in the beautiful country in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Fortunately for you, we can confirm that Portugal is an excellent place to gain experience abroad and at the same time enhance your CV with an attractive job. In the course of the internationalisation of Portugal’s economy in recent years, numerous international and also German companies have settled in the capital Lisbon, which are looking for German native speakers and support them with bonuses such as accommodation, language courses and the assumption of flight costs. This article tells you exactly which jobs are available in Portugal.

Key Facts

✔ 10.28 million inhabitants
✔ 290 sunny days
✔ Currency: Euro

Cost of Living

✔ 1-bedroom flat: € 644
✔ 1-person household: € 546
✔ Cappuccino € 1.53

Income

✔ Average income: € 987 (net)
✔ German-speaking customer role € 1100 (net)

What job opportunities do German-speakers have in Portugal?

The job situation in Portugal has improved dramatically in recent decades. Many professions are now in demand, attracting people from different countries. The capital Lisbon has developed into an attractive, international metropolis.

What is the current job situation in Portugal?

When Portugal joined the European Union in 1986, it was considered the poorest country in the Alliance. Since then, much has changed in the southwest of the Iberian peninsula. In the last few years since 2015, there has even been a small economic boom that has cut the unemployment rate by more than half. The positive development of Portugal’s economy is due, among other things, to tourism. Due to numerous visitors from Europe and the rest of the world, many jobs have been created in this industry. The increasing number of tourists has also led to the expansion of the real estate industry, which has also created jobs for many people. When you start looking for a job in Portugal, you will notice that there are few offers for part-time jobs. While these are common in other countries, such as Germany, comparatively few people in Portugal are employed on a half-time basis.

In-demand jobs in Portugal for German-speakers

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Currently, many large companies are looking for staff with knowledge of German, English and other European languages. But medium-sized and small companies, for example in tourism or in the agricultural sector, are also offering jobs.

  • Hotel industry/Tourism: The Portuguese are a very hospitable people and tourism makes up a large part of their economy. Popular destinations are Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. There are many hotels, restaurants and other establishments that thrive on visitors from all over the world. This means that there are also many job opportunities in these areas. Cooks, waiters and bar staff are often sought after.
  • IT support: Many large international companies are setting up in Lisbon and the surrounding area, such as the largest Japanese information and communication technology company, Fujitsu. If you are interested in technology and good with people, you should apply as an IT support agent. The working language is usually your mother tongue. Therefore, this job is also suitable for people who do not speak Portuguese very well yet.
  • Shared Service Centre: Due to the economic upswing in Spain, craftsmen are in demand. In Lisbon, too, numerous customer service centres have sprung up in recent years. Among other things, there is a Google location here with over 500 employees. Mercedes-Benz also runs its world’s first digital delivery hub for e-mobility software solutions here. Other German companies such as Siemens and Bosch also have shared service centres here. In such a centre, you can find a job as a customer advisor and work with customers in your native language. The internal company language is usually English, as numerous teams from different countries work together here. Often, the companies also offer office shared flats, so that you don’t have to worry about accommodation when you arrive in Portugal.
  • Information and communication technologies: The field of information and communication technologies has shown a promising development in Portugal in recent years. Due to the extensive new job opportunities that have developed in this sector, IT engineers with particular technical specialisations, for example, are now in demand. As an IT engineer, one deals with both software and hardware engineering.
  • Harvest workers: Seasonally, there is the possibility of finding a job in Portugal harvesting fruit and vegetables. Due to the Mediterranean climate, many varieties grow particularly well here. Consequently, many helping hands are needed in the agricultural sector. This job is particularly suitable in the context of work & travel; so after a few weeks of work in which you have earned money, you can then use the savings to travel the country. For this employment, no language certificate is required, however, a basic knowledge of Portuguese or English will help to guarantee communication on the job.

Who should apply for a tourism job in Portugal?

Tourism is an important field throughout the country, from the north to the south of the mainland, as well as on the islands that are part of Portugal, such as Madeira and the Azores. There are different jobs in the sector and positions for both career changers and professionals with experience. Your knowledge of German is definitely an advantage when looking for a job, as many German-speaking tourists come to Portugal every year. Of course, any other foreign language is equally useful in tourism. No matter how many languages you speak, you should have at least a basic knowledge of Portuguese and English. You should also enjoy working in a team and have a customer-friendly attitude. A wonderful side effect of a job in tourism is that you usually live where others go on holiday. This means that in your free time you are directly on site in one of the enchanting places Portugal has to offer and can go on a discovery tour yourself.

How to find jobs in Portugal for Germans, Austrians and Swiss?

If you are looking for a job in Portugal, you should use your German language skills to your advantage and ask around to companies that are specifically looking for German-speaking employees. There are a number of international and German companies that have set up in Lisbon to serve their clients all over the world, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other German-speaking countries. This kind of job is particularly suitable for you if you don’t yet have any professional knowledge of Portuguese and want to get your feet wet in the new country. Many companies offer attractive bonuses to their employees and help them relocate to Portugal, for example by reimbursing their flight costs. Living and working in Portugal for a while is particularly easy because of the freedom of movement in the choice of employer throughout the European Union. No visa or work permit is required for EU citizens.

Living in Portugal

Portugal is at the top of the list for many people with wanderlust. The mild climate and 832 kilometres of coastline are two of the top reasons for fans of the southern European country. Therefore, if you move to Portugal for a job, you should plan day and weekend trips to visit the many coastal towns with their authentic little restaurants. With so much sea, you can’t help but try surfing. You should also try “Pastel de Nata”, a sweet pastry made of puff pastry and custard, for which Portugal is famous. With so much sun in the country, much of life in Portugal takes place outside. The Portuguese like to meet for a drink in a café or bar to watch their national sport, football. The cost of living is around the European average. For a room in Lisbon, you can expect to pay a monthly rent of 300 to 500 euros. In smaller towns and in more rural areas, rents can be a little cheaper. Websites where you can look for a room include olx.pt, custojusto.pt or imovirtual.com.