Portugal

Country: Portugal

Portugal’s minimum wage is €920 a month in 2026 – and on top of 12 monthly salaries you get a holiday allowance and a Christmas allowance. 79.6% of people aged 20–64 have a job, above the EU average. Find out where the shortages are, where to look for a job, how to apply (in Portuguese or, if needed, in English) and what to do in your first weeks.

  1. Registration certificate (certificado de registo de cidadão da UE): if you stay longer than 3 months, apply within 30 days after the first 3 months at the town hall (Câmara Municipal) where you live. You need your ID card or passport and a signed statement that you work in Portugal. It takes at least one month to issue and is valid for up to five years.
  2. Tax number (NIF): apply at a tax office (Serviço de Finanças). You need it for your job contract, a bank account and renting a flat.
  3. Social security number (NISS): apply when you start work.
  4. Health service: register at your local health centre (Centro de Saúde) to get your National Health Service (SNS) user number.
  5. Tax: under IRS Jovem (since 2025) young people up to 35 who are not dependants pay no income tax on 100% of their work income in their first year, 75% in years 2–4, 50% in years 5–7 and 25% in years 8–10 – up to a yearly cap of 55 times the social support index (IAS).
  6. Bank account: salaries are normally paid by bank transfer.

Problems with your rights as an EU worker? Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT help for free.


published: 2014-09-03
last modification: 2026-10-03

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.

StudentNews Group Websites for students and future students — in Poland since 2007, across Europe since 2014. Over 50 websites and millions of users a year (Google Analytics). Studies in Europe Universities in Europe Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate MBA Study guide Work abroad Travel For partners Advertising and cooperation Reach (online report) Contact advertising@studentnews.eu © 2003–2026 Grupa StudentNews.pl sp. z o.o., Modlnica, Poland
Privacy Policy