Pay and working conditions in European countries

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

Found: 1

Portugal

Minimum wage (retribuição mínima mensal garantida): €920 a month from 1 January 2026 (Decree-Law 139/2025).
14 payments a year: besides 12 monthly salaries you are entitled to a holiday allowance (subsídio de férias), normally paid before your holidays, and a Christmas allowance (subsídio de Natal, the “13th month”) worth one month’s pay, paid by 15 December. That is why Eurostat shows the minimum wage as €1,073 a month spread over 12 months.
Collective agreements can set better pay and conditions for a sector – ask which one applies to your job.
Working time: normally at most 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Holidays: at least 22 working days of paid leave a year. In your first year you earn 2 working days per month of your contract (up to 20 days), which you can take after 6 full months of work.
Help: the labour inspectorate ACT answers questions about your rights on 300 069 300 (weekdays 9:00–12:30).

Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

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