Portugal job seeker visa 2024 – Job search visa in Portugal requirements

A new Portuguese visa for job seekers became available from 2022. It opens up additional opportunities for anyone who has considered immigrating to the westernmost country on the Eurasian continent in the future. The Portuguese visa for job seekers is available to anyone who wants to expand their professional opportunities as an employee.

The Portuguese job seeker visa is not suitable for freelancers or entrepreneurs, as the government of the country created it specifically to eliminate labor shortages. Accordingly, the requirements for entry authorisation are different from, for example, the conditions for D8 or D2.

Why is Portugal a great choice for living and working?

The warm, sunny climate and mild winters are not the only advantages of living here. A visa for job seekers to Portugal offers many opportunities that may be difficult to find in other countries. Well-developed infrastructure, affordable cost of living and optimal social security system are something that can be enjoyed from the very first days of your stay while you search for suitable job opportunities.

The advantages of living in Portugal for those interested in a Portuguese visa for a job seeker:

• Easier communication due to the prevalence of English
• Free medical care for everyone who stays in the country legally
• Progressive social policy aimed at creating and maintaining equality
• Stable economy, thanks to which the standard of living is only rising
• Real prospects for career growth and professional development

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. It ranks 4th in the Global Peace Index. And the average level of annual earnings of the population is 30 thousand euros. So, a visa for job seekers in Portugal makes all these advantages available to everyone.

Portuguese visa for job seekers 2024: specificities of validity

Until just recently, the Portuguese government had no mechanism in place to ensure that those seeking work stayed in the country as transparently and legally as possible. Foreigners crossed the border with a tourist visa, and some even illegally. The Portuguese job seeker visa has changed the situation dramatically. There is no longer a need to look for “workarounds” to get officially employed in the country while searching for a job and going on interviews.

A Portuguese job seeker visa is suitable for those who would like to find a job as an employee. This type of entry permit is valid for up to 120 days (4 months). If an official contract cannot be found during this time, it can be extended for another 60 days. Thus, in total, the Portuguese visa for a job seeker allows you to stay legally in the country for up to 6 months.

This is an optimal period to understand the main cultural features of the country, to settle in and, of course, to find a suitable place of employment. The category of Portuguese visa for job seekers provides for different ways of achieving this goal: from submitting a CV to companies of interest to applying for the services of a recruitment agency.

The job seeker visa implies that if you fail to find a job within 120 or 180 days, you will have to leave the country. You can reapply for an entry permit after one year.

The cost of a Portuguese visa for job seekers is about 75 euros, in terms of consular fees. 

Be careful: a Portuguese visa for job seekers does not guarantee employment. The country allows you to stay in its territory, enjoy some social benefits and legally attend job interviews. The job search and placement process is entirely up to the job seeker.

Advantages of a visa for job seekers in Portugal

A visa for job seekers to Portugal is a great opportunity to get to know the country and find a decent place to work. Any employee who is employed officially in this country, receives all the benefits and guarantees provided by law.

Thus, the standard working week in Portugal is 35 hours. Each employee can count on four weeks of paid holiday per year. In case of illness, employees do not have to lose their wages, as employers provide generous sick leave. In addition, there are as many as 14 official holidays throughout the year, during which overtime is paid.

It is not only the employment itself that is attractive to many foreigners. The Portuguese visa category for job seekers also has many advantages, which include:

•         No need to have an IELTS certificate
•         The possibility of obtaining a residence permit in the future
•         The prospect of living in Portugal with your family

The Portuguese 6-month visa for job seekers is the first step towards moving to a European country where you can start a new life.

Who is eligible for a job seeker visa?

The Portuguese job seeker visa is suitable for almost anyone who wants to find employment in the country. The entry permit for this category does not entitle you to freelance or start a business. However, this visa can be a great way to jumpstart your career, or it can be the start of it.

The Portuguese visa for job seekers in 2024 is most in demand among young people under the age of 30–35. This entry permit allows you to gain exclusive labor experience that will be valued in almost any country. Well, of course, it is a good start and a confident step forward for those who would like to emigrate to Portugal and obtain a residence permit.

A Portuguese visa for job seekers allows you to become an employee in almost any field of activity. People with higher education and proficiency in Portuguese and English are especially valued in the country. However, this is not a prerequisite for obtaining a Portuguese visa for job seekers in 2024.

The most demanded at the moment are specialists in the following fields:

•         IT
•         Medicine
•         Tourism
•         Finances
•         Engineering

The Portuguese job seeker visa opens the way to a new life for representatives of a wide range of professions and qualifications.

What are the requirements for a job seeker visa in Portugal?

The Portuguese job seeker visa is available to anyone who wants to apply for a job in Portugal. In order to do so, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

•         Have a valid international passport
•         Have health insurance
•         Have the necessary amount of money in your account
•         Buy a return air ticket
•         Obtain a criminal record clearance certificate
•         Authorize a criminal record check with the Portuguese authorities

At the moment, a job seeker visa to Portugal is issued only if there is a sufficient amount of money in the bank account necessary to live in the country. Thus, it is necessary to have at least 2115 euros to prove the ability to support yourself for the period of the permit validity. 

A job seeker visa is issued on the basis of a completed declaration and registration with the Portuguese Employment Institute. On the IEFP website, you must fill in the data on your professional experience, education and specialization.

If the applicant has a valid travel ban to one of the Schengen countries, the Portugal job seeker visa will not be available.

How to get a job seeker visa to Portugal? Step-by-step algorithm

The cost of a Portuguese visa for job seekers is 75 euros. This is the amount of the consular fee that needs to be paid by everyone who is going to apply for an entry permit. In addition to the basic documents and certificates, the Portuguese visa for jobseekers requires the submission of a declaration of a prescribed form. It describes the expected conditions of stay in the country. You will also need to register on the IEFP website to confirm your intentions. Education and work experience can be completed in English, Portuguese, French or Estonian. Although the Portuguese new visa for job seekers is relatively easy to apply for, there are still many details to be considered.