If you’re interested in the best jobs in Portugal with accommodation, you’re on the right track. Portugal is becoming increasingly popular among job seekers, especially foreigners. In 2020, the country received over 80,000 immigrants. About 40.7% were seeking job opportunities. Many foreigners love Portugal because of the country’s rich culture, fantastic weather, delectable cuisine, and favorable living conditions.
However, finding the right job or career opportunity abroad can be tricky.
This article will provide a comprehensive guide in finding jobs with accommodation in Portugal. We will highlight the benefits, types of such jobs available, how to find them, factors to consider, and tips for applying alongside potential challenges you should know.
How to find a job in Portugal with accommodation as a foreigner
Whether you’re a student looking for a quick summer job, a digital nomad, or looking to relocate to begin life in Portugal, the first thing you want to know about getting a job in Portugal is the work culture and job market.
Understanding the intricacies of the Portuguese job market will help you determine what makes you stand out. That way, depending on your skill set, you can attract the best jobs for yourself.
The Portuguese job market
First, the Portuguese job market for those who speak Portuguese and English is different.
As expected, Portuguese speakers have greater access to employment options than those who speak English alone. These jobs are generally traditional forms of employment, including engineering, accounting, architecture, law, and medical fields.
This is because many job opportunities depend on soft language skills.
That said, as more international businesses are moving to Portugal, there’s also a growing number of opportunities for English speakers. Nevertheless, you’ll find more opportunities for English speakers around Portugal’s biggest cities, such as Porto and Lisbon.
But you can significantly improve your employment prospects by learning basic Portuguese. Don’t forget that Portugal’s tourism industry is thriving, making it easier for anyone to find jobs.
Even so, being bilingual (or trilingual) can improve your opportunities. For instance, Portugal is home to diverse international businesses like Uber and Amazon. These opportunities require speaking English alongside other European languages such as Dutch, German, and Portuguese. Many such positions with these international businesses may also need a college degree.
Work culture in Portugal
The work culture in Portugal is generally laid-back and friendly, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Portuguese employees value their free time and prioritize family and social activities outside work.
Around Portugal, full-time jobs are about 40 hours per week, eight hours, Monday to Friday.
Portugal’s minimum wage is lower than many other European countries. Presently, it’s at €760 monthly. Employers receive 22 paid annual leave days yearly. However, the number of paid annual leave days in the banking sector is 25. Additionally, there are 12 public holidays.
During the summer, the tradition is “Santos Popularies,” where many people take extended time off to celebrate local festivals. Portuguese employees tend to value relationships with their colleagues and leadership, focusing on building collaboration and trust in the workplace.
Portugal is also known for a slower pace of work compared to many other European countries. This can be both an advantage and a challenge as well. On one hand, it means employees are more relaxed and less stressed, leading to more engagement and productivity. On the other hand, if you’re coming from a more fast-paced culture, it can be frustrating to adapt.
Nevertheless, the work culture in Portugal values work-life balance, relationships, and a relaxed atmosphere. The country also ranks 15th in the EU on the Gender Equality Index, meaning you can expect to be treated fairly regardless of gender. Furthermore, the government has recently tested four-day workweeks to improve workers’ mental health.
Also, note that you may need a visa to work in Portugal unless you are an EU citizen. Your employment position will influence the type of visa you need.
Types of jobs with accommodation in Portugal
Various industries in Portugal that provide accommodation alongside jobs are consistently seeking applicants. Let’s talk about the different kinds of jobs you may find there.
Hospitality job positions
Restaurants, bars, and hotels often have jobs for foreigners, especially English speakers. You will find these jobs in places such as Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve, where tourism is at its peak.
Generally, the only qualification for these jobs is your English speaking skills.
But as stated earlier, your basic Portuguese command can also factor in your favor. That said, many such jobs in the hospitality industry pay the Portuguese minimum wage. As stated earlier, these wages may not match many other countries’ hospitality industries. But they align with Portugal’s cost of living and purchasing power. Also, these jobs will primarily provide accommodation on-site. So you don’t have to worry about housing. Some of these hospitality jobs in Portugal include:
- Front-office positions: Receptionists, concierge, and guest representatives.
- Restaurant positions: waitstaff, bartender, cooks, chefs.
- Housekeepers: Housekeepers generally are employed by hotels and resorts.
- Maintenance technicians: generally employed by hotels and resorts. They perform repairs and maintenance on hotel equipment and facilities.
- Event planners: coordinates events such as conferences, festivals, street parties, etc.
- Spa therapists: works at diverse spas and resorts across Portugal.
- Tour guides: guiding tourists and educating them on the country’s culture, history, and attractions
Seasonal jobs in Portugal with accommodation
You can also find positions in Portugal during high seasons, from June to September. For instance, you can find jobs in hostels, hotels, ski or beach resorts, tour operators, entertainment venues, restaurants, and surf camps. Many of these summer jobs demand having a solid command of English. Some types of jobs you may find include:
- Hotel and resort staff: You can also access customer service roles such as concierge, receptionist, and guest relations. These positions assist guests with their needs and ensure they have the best stay.
- Restaurant and hospitality staff: As stated earlier, you can find positions serving customers, taking orders, and offering excellent service in cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- Travel agents: Travel agents assist tourists with travel arrangements. These tasks include booking flights, tours, and accommodations.
- Tour guides: You can get jobs guiding tourists and educating them on the country’s culture, history, and attractions.
- Event planners: You can also gain positions coordinating events, conferences, and more for locals and tourists.
Child-care positions
Au pair and nanny positions also commonly offer accommodation as part of the job package. These positions demand caring for young children aged 0 to 18 years. The tasks involved may range from helping them with homework to preparing meals and playing games. That said, au pair and Nanny positions also require having a valid work visa, experience with children, and the ability to speak fluent Portuguese. Some employers may offer to help with securing a work visa.
Besides nanny and au pair positions, you may also access other forms of child-care positions such as:
- After-school care: providing care for children aged 5 to 12 with homework, meal-times, and playtimes
- Special needs child-care: Providing care for children with special needs, including physical, developmental, and emotional disabilities
Volunteer programs
Furthermore, volunteer programs, especially those related to environmental or social causes, often accommodate volunteers. Most volunteer programs are located in Lisbon and other major cities in Portugal. Others may take you to more remote locations, especially conservation jobs. These jobs may include the following:
- Food rescue helpers
- Au pair positions
- Environmental scuba divers
- Youth supporters
- Working in forest and wildlife conservation
- Working with local nonprofits such as homeless support
- Working with nonprofits that rescue and protect cats and dogs
- Working with NGOs focused on home improvement projects
Agricultural jobs in Portugal with accommodation
You can also find jobs in the agricultural sector. Many farm jobs come with on-site housing and even feeding. Many of these jobs do not require degree, certificate, or diploma experience. Examples of these positions include:
- Animal Caretaker: Provides animal care, such as feeding, cleaning, and medical attention.
- Fruit and Vegetable Harvester: Picks, sorts, and packs fruits and vegetables.
- Vineyard Worker: Tends to grapevines yearly, including pruning, harvesting, and processing grapes.
- Olive Grove Worker: Tends to olive trees, harvests olives, and extracts olive oil.
- Field Laborer: Performs general farm labor, such as planting seeds, weeding, and irrigating crops.
- Greenhouse Worker: Grows and cares for plants in greenhouses.
- Dairy Farmer: Milks cows, raise calves, and manage the dairy farm.
- Livestock Farmer: Raises animals for meat, such as cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.
- Poultry Farmer: Raises chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other birds for eggs or meat.
Teaching English
It’s also possible to find English-speaking jobs at educational institutions around Portugal. Some of these jobs may have accommodation. These English teaching jobs may require teaching a group of students through school or privately. But then, some may still require that you speak basic Portuguese as well. You can find these jobs in cities such as Coimbra, Porto, Braga, and Lisbon.
Many jobs may also require you to take a TOEFL – Teaching Of English as a Foreign Language – course to become more attractive.
The most prominent players include:
Benefits of Jobs with Accommodation
There are many reasons why you should pick jobs in Portugal with accommodation. The first is the financial savings you can enjoy from not paying for housing. When you eliminate paying for rent and utilities, you can allocate your budget towards other expenses and saving for the future. This is also a super-fantastic option for traveling around Portugal without worrying about money. Having accommodation provided by an employer gives you convenience and comfort. That way, you can explore and immerse yourself in any city or region. It also helps to enhance work-life balance. Hence, you never have to worry about long commutes or searching for suitable housing.
Other forms of accommodation at affordable price
Suppose accommodation is a huge concern, but you also want to target jobs with no housing available. In that case, there are reasonably priced options also to consider. Regardless of your options, research and read reviews before booking any housing opportunities. You should also assess its location, proximity to public transportation, and your desired jobs. Here are some suggestions:
Hostels
Major cities in Portugal such as Lisbon have many hosters that offer affordable accommodations to job seekers and travelers. For instance, in Lisbon, popular options include We Love F Tourist Hostels, and Oasis Backpackers Hostel, Lisbon.
Short-term rentals
Depending on how much you can spare, consider renting a short-term rental. This is a great option, and there are dedicated websites where you can find them. Great examples include Spotahome, Uniplaces, and Idealistica. Many of these apartments are usually furnished and owned by small family-run establishments. And you can enjoy flexible rental periods.
Co-living spaces
Shared apartments are also becoming popular in Portugal, especially around major cities like Lisbon. These co-living spaces are community-focused living arrangements. This means the rooms have shared common areas and amenities such as event and coworking spaces.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is also a great option to stay with locals for free. Although these options are only ideal for some, they are a great way to save money.
Budget hotels
Portugal also has budget hotels where you can find comfortable rooms at decent prices. These are great for seasonal and temporary accommodations.
Airbnb
Finding affordable accommodation in any major Portuguese city on Airbnb is also possible. All you need to do is filter your search by price range, location, and other preferences.
How to find jobs with accommodation in Portugal
To find jobs in Portugal with accommodation, you can use online job portals and websites to find these opportunities. You may also find local employment agencies like Randstad and Hays as valuable resources, especially when seeking positions with accommodation. Many hotels also have dedicated online boards. Finding such jobs by using social media groups and communities focused on jobs to discover possible leads is also possible. Check out the following sites for job offers:
- Indeed.pt
- EURES
- Jobs in Lisbon
- Reed
- Top Language Jobs
- Learn4Good
- Net Empregos
- Empregos Online
- Hays
- Glassdoor.
Factors to consider when evaluating job offers
Before you take any job offer with accommodation, you should consider the following factors:
- Duration and contract terms: Assessing the duration of the housing provided and any contractual obligations is essential for planning and stability.
- Salary package: Compare the salary package against the cost of living in that city. Even though these jobs with accommodation may take away costs, you still have expenses. You need a wage that allows you to live as comfortably as possible.
- Living conditions: Figure out the living conditions that apply. Will you be sharing a room?
- Location: The proximity to amenities and public transportation is vital for convenience and ease of access.
Take precautions to avoid situations where employers offer poor quality or unsuitable accommodation. You should also ensure fair working conditions and treatment. Always be aware of the safety and security concerns associated with the job and the housing provided.
Also read about, Finding a Job in Portugal: Easy Step and Tips>>
Conclusion
In conclusion, jobs in Portugal with accommodation offer a range of benefits, from financial savings to convenience and comfort. By exploring the various industries that provide such opportunities, job seekers can find positions that align with their interests and preferences.
Knowing the potential challenges and taking necessary precautions will help ensure a positive work experience. Consider the advice and suggestions in this article while embarking on your journey to find an exciting job opportunity in Portugal with accommodation provided.
