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Citizens of India can legally work in Portugal since both the country’s respective authorities have signed a bilateral contract which will help Indians undertake professional activity there. This bilateral agreement thus ensures safe labour migration and hence prosperity in both ways.
To be able to work in Portugal, Indians need to have a work visa. Read on to learn more about a Portugal work visa for Indians.
A Portugal work visa is a legal document that permits foreigners to take up employment in this country.
Portugal offers various kinds of work visas to foreign nationals. Individuals can apply for any work visa type as per their qualifications and occupation.
Applicants must hold a job offer in any qualifying professions or positions. For instance, applicants must be IT professionals, scientists, medical professionals, and engineers. Individuals having a high-ranking or administrative position in a company can also apply for this visa.
Individuals having a high level of qualifications in their profession and getting a minimum of 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary of Portugal are eligible for this visa.
By obtaining this visa, individuals can involve in a cultural activity in Portugal in a project that gets the recognition of the relevant Portuguese authorities.
This variant of the Portugal work visa is available for individuals who receive a job offer from an educational or vocational training institution or from a research centre located in Portugal.
Individuals who are employed by a company that is “active in the area of technology and innovation” can get a Tech visa.
Individuals owning a business can apply for a self-employment visa in Portugal. In addition, those who offer services can also obtain this visa as independent workers.
Though citizens of other European Union member states can work in Portugal without a work permit, non-EU citizens such as Indians must have a work permit to legally work in this nation. For this, they need to fulfil certain eligibility conditions.
A Portuguese work visa application process can be categorised into three parts or steps. They are:
After giving a job in Portugal, it is the employer’s responsibility to apply for a Work Permit at the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service) or the Portuguese Labour Authorities on the employee’s behalf.
During this time, they must submit certain documents, including company tax statements, employment contract, proof that they did not find a suitable EEA/EU/Swiss citizen for the said position, and proof that they have registered with Social Security.
Once applicants get the authorisation to work in Portugal, then they can initiate the application process for the work visa from the Embassy of Portugal in their country of origin (here, India).
By obtaining this visa, individuals can travel to Portugal for employment or corporate purposes and then apply for a residence permit. Follow the steps mentioned below to complete the application process:
After arriving in Portugal with a work visa, applicants need to apply for both a residence permit and social security to get a tax number.
Wondering where to register for security?
Foreign nationals such as Indians need to go to the Social Security Office in Portugal.
Individuals, who are willing to apply for the residence permit, must visit the official website of SEF.
The document requirements of a Portugal work visa for Indian citizens are as follows:
The processing time for a Portugal work visa can be lengthy as it takes 60 days for SEF to process the application for a work permit. In addition, the Embassy may take up to 3 months to issue the entry visa. In certain circumstances, the processing time can be less lengthy.
Refer to the table mentioned below to know the revised visa rates which came into effect from 1st April 2021.
Employment(E) & Project (P) Visas |
Fees in Euro |
Up to 6 months (Single or Multiple Entry) |
€ 100 |
More than 6 months and up to 1 year (Multiple Entry) |
€ 167 |
More than 1 year and up to 5 years (Multiple Entry) |
€ 250 |
When individuals apply for a work visa, they get a residence permit that allows them to work and live in Portugal for 1- 2 years.
After this time period, they will be able to renew this work permit at SEF before the expiry date appears. This time, individuals can apply for renewal till the term of a job offer from their employer.
After completing this process, applicants can continue living and working in Portugal till the time mentioned in the residence permit.
The following reasons can negatively affect the Portuguese work visa application process and lead to rejection.
Read this piece regarding the Portugal work visa for Indians carefully and get the chance to work in this country by applying for one.