Latest news and stories about work life balance in finance in Portugal for expats and residents.
An analytical look at the financial pressures of childcare costs in the UK, prompting a family to weigh the trade-offs of a significant salary reduction in exchange for a better work-life balance in Portugal.
Portugal's tight labour market and historic employment levels are forcing companies to tap the over-55 workforce, particularly in food, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics and contact centres. Eurofirms reports increased demand for senior profiles, greater openness to flexible hours to improve work–life balance, and a mix of domestic and foreign hires (34% of 216 active outsourced employees are foreign, 63 are over 55). The shift is seen as essential for business growth amid sectoral shortages; Eurofirms recorded a 13% revenue increase to €619 million in the last fiscal year.
In Portugal, workers currently have around 30 days of rest per year, including 22 days of statutory leave and public holidays. The debate over restoring the three days of leave removed during the troika era frequently resurfaces, often met with arguments about productivity. However, data suggests that Portugal's low productivity is linked to structural issues—such as a high number of micro-enterprises, insufficient investment in R&D, and excessive bureaucracy—rather than the number of holidays. While some studies indicate that additional working days can slightly boost GDP, they also correlate with higher workplace mortality and dissatisfaction, suggesting that addressing structural inefficiencies is more critical for competitiveness than reducing leave.
As Simon Kuper wrote in the Financial Times, perhaps the global economy needs the US, as long as one does not have to live there. It is a cruel, but fair verdict.
Mobility in executive roles is at high levels. Well-being dictates the decision, concludes a study by the recruitment consultancy Page Executive
Many professionals are rethinking the role of work in their lives. Not everyone takes the leap, but the ability to 'change one's life' can bring gains for both the employee and the employer.
CIP president, Armindo Monteiro, says that new generations no longer view their profession as the central focus of their lives.
While the average across the 27 European Union (EU) countries was 37 working hours per week in 2025, Portugal recorded an average of 39.7 hours.
An analysis of the job market in Lisbon, comparing salary benefits against the trade-offs of increased management responsibilities and extended working hours.
Portugal is the fifth country in the EU with the highest weekly working hours, averaging 39.7 hours per week, surpassed only by Greece, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, according to an analysis by Pordata. Portugal is also one of the countries with the highest number of temporary contracts among young people, with salary levels below the European average.
Edenred wants to increase the “joie de vivre” of companies and employees with extra-salary benefits designed to meet everyday needs.
