Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, one can apply for the Portuguese Schengen Visa since 1995 when Portugal as an EU Country State also became a member state of the Schengen Area, along with 25 other European countries. These countries have established free travel within their borders and have a common visa, known as the Schengen Visa. This means that if you get a visa for any Schengen country, such as Portugal, you can travel to the other countries in the Schengen Agreement as well.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Portugal?

If you are not an European Union (EU) /European Economic Area ( EEA ) or Swiss citizen, then you need to apply for a visa to be allowed to work in Portugal. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, then you can work without a visa, but you have to get a Residence Certificate if you intend to live in Portugal for longer than three months.

Portugal Work Visa Details

• You must have a job offer from an employer in Portugal
• The job opening must have been posted for at least one month, so the relevant authorities can ensure that a Portuguese or EU citizen could not have filled the position instead.
• They submit the application to the Portuguese Labour Authorities.Your employer must apply for a Work Permit on your behalf.

Portugal Work Visa Requirements

The documents you need when you apply for a Portugal work visa are:

• Your valid passport
• Passport-size pictures, following Schengen visa picture guidelines
• Proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself
• Your criminal records from your country of residence. If you have lived in another country for more than one year, you have to get criminal records from there as well
• A document giving permission to the SEF to check your Portuguese criminal records
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal
• Your employment contract
• If you are already in Portugal: Proof of legal entry into Portuguese territory, such as a visa
• If you are applying from a country other than that of your origin: Proof of legal stay, such as a residence permit or a visa