Do you think about starting a new life in Europe? Many people dream about it. Portugal is now a very popular country for people who want to move and work. It has warm sunny weather, cheap living cost (not like other western Europe places), and many jobs that dont need big degrees or high skills. If you just want a simple job and a safe life, Portugal can be a great place to start.
In this guide I will tell you all the easy stuff. We talk about what jobs are open for people with no special skill, how to apply for work, what visa you need, and some tips to make your move a success. I use simple words so everyone can understand.
Why Portugal is Good for Workers with No Skills
Portugal is now like a friendly home for workers from other countrys. It is not like some places where you need high education or fancy diploma. There are many jobs where no school is needed.
Reasons why Portugal is nice:
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Cheap life cost – You can live in Portugal for less money than France or Germany. Food, rent and transport are cheaper.
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Lots of jobs – Tourism, farm work, construction and warehouses always need more people.
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Easy visas – The goverment makes visas for job seekers and workers from outside EU.
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Nice life – Beautiful beaches, safe streets, happy people and yummy food.
A report in 2025 shows that tourism, agriculture, construction and logistics still need many workers. This is good news if you dont have big skills.
Top Easy Jobs in Portugal for Foreigners
You can really find work even if you never worked before. Here are the most common jobs that foreigners get in Portugal when they dont have special education.
1. Farm Worker
Portugal has green farms, grapes, olive trees and fruit fields. You can work in places like Alentejo or Douro Valley. Jobs like grape picking, fruit harvest or olive gathering are popular. You dont need experience, just energy and good health.
2. Tourism and Hotel Helper
Tourism is super big in Portugal. Cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve have hotels, cafes and restaurants that need waiters, cleaners, kitchen helpers, reception workers. Many employers give visa help because they need staff all year.
3. Construction Worker
Portugal is building new houses and roads. Companies need people to help carry bricks, mix cement, clean sites. You can start as general labor and later learn skills for better pay.
4. Warehouse and Delivery
Online shopping is growing so warehouses need packers, loaders, drivers. This is one of the easiest jobs for foreigners and you can work full time.
5. Cleaning Staff
Hotels, offices, and factories need cleaners every day. Industrial cleaning is steady and not very hard. No school needed.
6. Store Stock Helper
Big stores like Continente and Pingo Doce hire people to put things on shelves, help customers and check stock.
7. Security Guard
Some places need guards for malls, houses or events. Some training is needed but beginners can also start in entry level.
Tip: You can work with only English in tourist places but learning basic Portuguese is very smart. Even simple words help you get job faster and make friends.
Visa and Papers You Need
If you are not from EU you need visa to work. There are two main ways:
1. Portugal Job Seeker Visa
This visa lets you enter Portugal to look for job for up to 180 days.
You need:
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Passport (at least 6 months left)
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Money proof (around €2,280 to show you can live for 3 months)
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Place to stay (hotel booking or letter)
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Health insurance
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Police record paper
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Registration with IEFP (Portugal employment office)
This visa is good if you want to move first and then find job there.
2. D1 Work Visa
This is for people who already have job offer from Portugal company.
You need:
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Signed job contract
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Place to stay proof
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Bank statement or payslip to show financial stability
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Clean criminal record
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Health insurance
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Passport photos and visa forms
This visa is better if you already got a job before you fly.
FAQs
1. Is it easy to get job in Portugal?
It is not 100% easy but demand is strong. Sectors like farm work, hotels and construction hire a lot. You need to try and apply many times.
2. Can I work without speaking Portuguese?
Yes, mostly in tourist cities. But learning few Portuguese words makes life and work much easier.
3. How much money I need to move?
For Job Seeker Visa you need at least €2,280 in savings. Better to have more for rent and travel.
4. What is AIMA?
AIMA is new immigration office that replaced SEF. They handle residence permits and visa renewals.
5. How long visa takes?
Job Seeker Visa takes about 30 to 90 days. D1 Work Visa can take some months depending on your job and consulate.
Tips to Find Real Jobs and Not Fake Ones
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Use official government websites like Portugal consulate page.
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Check company career pages of big hotels, farms, or supermarkets.
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Talk to licensed job agencies with good reviews.
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Join Facebook or WhatsApp groups for expats in Portugal to hear about new jobs.
Never send big money to strangers for job promises. Real employer will not ask you to pay for work.
Simple Life Advice for Moving to Portugal
Life in Portugal is friendly but you must be ready. Bring warm clothes for winter because houses can be cold. Try to learn some basic Portuguese like “obrigado” (thank you) and “bom dia” (good morning). Respect local people and follow rules. If you work hard and stay honest you can build a safe life.
Many workers start with small jobs like cleaning or grape picking. Later they move to better jobs or open small business. Some people even get permanent residency after some years and stay forever.
Conclusion
Portugal is not only a place for vacations and pretty beaches.
It is also a country full of chances for people who want to start a new life.
There are many simple jobs, kind local people, and visa options that are not too hard.
This makes Portugal one of the best places in Europe for workers who don’t have special skills.
If you get your papers ready, save some money, and apply for the right visa,
you can begin a brand-new chapter in your life.
Maybe you will start with a small job like farm helper, hotel cleaner, or store worker.
But little by little, you can build a safe and steady future.
If living in Europe is your dream, Portugal could be the open door waiting for you
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