Salaries in Portugal? What You Can Expect from White Collar and Blue Collar Jobs?

Portugal is one of the more popular destinations for expats to reside in. Not only does it have excellent climate conditions with over 300 days of guaranteed sunshine in a year and a robust medical care facility, but it also has a stable economy with access to the wider European market due to it being a member of the European Union. Several industries in Portugal offer excellent wages and benefits to foreign workers. But while it all sounds great, it does not mean that one does not have to make some compromises when it comes to working in Portugal.

Before you apply for Portugal Visa in India, there are a couple of things that you should know, which will heavily impact your decision regarding your move to Portugal.

Minimum Wage

Minimum wage is one of those areas where one has to make some compromises if they are interested in moving to Portugal. Portugal's minimum wage is a bit on the lower side compared to its EU counterparts at around €700 (according to 2020 figures), but it is subject to change every year. Whilst €700 minimum wage is not much of an issue if one is residing in rural areas of Portugal but in the urban areas like Lisbon and Porto, their high cost of living could play a significant role in one’s consideration in moving to Portugal.

Average salaries of working professionals in Portugal?

While the minimum wage plays a considerable role in determining an expat's move to Portugal, it is not the only criteria that are used for determination. The average salary of an individual working in Portugal is also crucial, and it is around €860 per month, which is substantially higher than the minimum wage. However, one should keep in mind that these figures shoot up to €1547 for individuals holding a university degree. So, if you are a university degree holder, you are more likely to get a comfortable wage working in Portugal.

But the average salary does not give out a complete picture as there are other things to consider, such as living expenses. Urban areas like Lisbon and Porto are the most expensive for one to live in, with their housing prices going through the roof. But if one can afford to live across the Tagus River in surrounding suburbs, they would find that the rentals there are about half the rental properties' cost in Lisbon and Porto's urban areas. And with the availability of an excellent and robust public transportation system, this is surely an option that one must consider, especially if they are on a budget.

Average salaries in Lisbon vs. other cities

Portugal is the first destination that would come to an expat's mind, especially considering there are cities that have a higher average salary than Lisbon and other major cities in Portugal. The average salary for an entry-level job in the UK is around £25,000, and for the US, the same is at around $28,000. Now, compare this to an entry-level job for a Portuguese graduate, and that figure would come at around €18,000 per year – which is around £15,000 or $20,000. This is a substantial difference that one simply cannot ignore.

But that is not to say that everything is lose-lose if one is considering moving to Portugal and working there. The consumer prices are around 40 percent lower than the UK, and the rental is nearly half that one would have to pay if they are planning to work in the US. So, there are both upsides and downsides of moving to Portugal, especially when one compares it to more renowned expat destinations.

Jobs for foreigners in Portugal

Portugal is extremely welcoming to skilled professionals who are looking to move and work in Portugal. There are several industries that might be more suited to you if you are a foreigner planning to work in Portugal. Tech, tourism, real estate, and customer service are some of the industries in Portugal that are wide open to expats, with salaries offered considerably higher than the national minimum wage.

For white-collar jobs, Lisbon is the place for one to be. It has a growing number of multinational businesses in the city, so a recent graduate can easily get hired to work in one such company. Lisbon is now also hosting several tech giants like Amazon and Google. The market for blue-collar work is not shabby in Portugal as well. With strict labor laws and rights limiting a 40-hours work week, blue-collar workers can easily find Portugal their dream destination. One can either do freelance work or find suitable jobs at the Expatica jobs page that specifically caters to the expat community in Portugal.

Portugal has a competitive but friendly atmosphere, and with their expat-friendly job market, it is no wonder that Portugal's stock in the expat community has been on the rise for some time. At Trivial Chapter, you can meet a trusted visa consultant that helps you unlock the best opportunities in life. So, what are you waiting for? Hire yourself a Visa Consultant in Portugal and get ready for your move.