Latest news and stories about job creation in Portugal for expats and residents.
Applications for the Integrar para a Construção training program close this Sunday, July 5th. The initiative offers 500 places for immigrants with valid residence permits to develop technical skills and language proficiency for the construction sector.
Galp expects its new Innovation District project, located on the site of the former Matosinhos refinery, to generate approximately 100,000 jobs. The development is projected to contribute roughly two billion euros annually to the Portuguese economy over the next 30 years. Construction is expected to transform the industrial site into a major hub for economic activity.
Banco Santander aims to generate over one billion euros in business value through artificial intelligence by 2028. The bank plans to integrate AI across its global operations, including its 185,000 employees, to both create new revenue streams and reduce operational costs.
Paulo Macedo, the CEO of Caixa Geral de Depósitos (Caixa Geral de Depósitos or CGD), has advocated for increasing salaries for public administration officials. He argued that these wages should no longer be indexed to politicians' salaries and suggested that the state should offer more flexibility in rewarding top-performing employees to improve public service quality.
Caixa Geral de Depósitos is Portugal’s largest state-owned bank and a major retail and corporate lender. In 2025 it posted a 10% profit increase — helped by selling its stake in Águas de Portugal — and will pay a €1.25 billion dividend to the State, which can affect public finances and confidence in the banking sector.
Paulo Macedo is the chief executive officer of Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), Portugal's state-owned bank, a position he has held since 2017. A former Minister of Health (2011–2015), he is a prominent figure in the Portuguese financial sector and frequently comments on national economic and public administration policy.
The Ministry of Education has finalized the placement of over 5,400 teachers in areas facing the greatest staff shortages, with 3,938 of these positions located in the Lisbon and Setúbal regions. Minister Fernando Alexandre noted that these early placements are intended to facilitate better planning for the upcoming school year.
Portuguese workers are set to participate in a general strike on Wednesday, June 3rd, to protest against the labour law reform proposed by the government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Called by the General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP), the stoppage aims to challenge policies that unions argue increase job insecurity and undermine protections against unfair dismissal.
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP – Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses) is Portugal’s largest trade-union confederation, grouping most unions in manufacturing, public services and many other sectors.
Founded clandestinely in 1970 as “Intersindical” under the dictatorship, it emerged publicly after the 1974 Carnation Revolution and was legalised in 1975. It has been central to virtually all major labour struggles since then, from defending collective bargaining and the 40‑hour week to leading general strikes against austerity and labour‑law rollbacks.
CGTP is historically close to the Portuguese Communist Party and has a class‑struggle, anti‑neoliberal profile, strongly critical of EU and government policies seen as undermining workers’ rights. It favours grassroots mobilisation and strikes over compromise, often refusing national social‑pact deals that the more centrist UGT is willing to sign.
In today’s Portugal, CGTP remains a key actor in wage bargaining, labour‑law debates and national protests; together with UGT it called the first joint general strike in years in December 2025, signalling its continuing capacity to organise mass action.
The number of public administration workers in Portugal rose by 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching a total of 767,094 employees. Data from the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment (Direção-Geral da Administração e do Emprego Público or DGAEP) shows this is the highest employment level recorded in the sector since 2011.
The DGAEP is the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment (Direção-Geral da Administração e do Emprego Público), a government body that sets rules for public‑sector jobs, careers and administrative procedures. For expats, it matters if you work for or contract with the state because DGAEP guidance affects hiring, pay scales and the rules that apply to public employees.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte announced plans to create a new Economic and Business District in the city. The project involves an urban reorganization of the Ramalde industrial area to better integrate existing services and industrial infrastructure.
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.
The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and the CDS-PP have proposed a new civic-military volunteering program called 'Defend Portugal' (Defender Portugal). Aimed at individuals aged 18 to 23, the program offers a one-off payment of 439 euros and free driving license training in exchange for three to six weeks of service in the Armed Forces.
The Democratic Alliance (Aliança Democrática, AD) is a center-right coalition primarily composed of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) with 89 seats and the CDS–People's Party (CDS-PP) with 2 seats. Together, they form the current minority government under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The PSD, despite its name, occupies the center-right of Portugal's political spectrum and has been one of Portugal's two dominant parties since 1974, having formed nine governments including four with absolute majorities. The CDS-PP is a smaller Christian democratic party that has historically been the PSD's coalition partner.
The AD coalition governs without a parliamentary majority, requiring case-by-case support from opposition parties to pass legislation. The coalition has imposed a cordon sanitaire against Chega, refusing formal cooperation with the far-right despite its parliamentary strength, which means it must negotiate with the PS or smaller parties to advance its legislative agenda.
The CDS–PP is the Democratic and Social Centre – People's Party (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a small centre-right, Christian-democratic party founded in 1974. It often partners with the larger PSD in parliament; in February 2026 it voted with the PSD and IL to approve a housing package, so its parliamentary support can influence housing and other policy outcomes.
The average annual salary in Portugal reached 24,800 euros in 2024, a 7% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, the Business Roundtable Portugal association reports that Portuguese earnings remain 38% lower than the European Union average of 39,800 euros.
Portugal's monthly minimum wage will be €920 in 2026, up from €870 in 2025 (a €50 increase). That is below the EU median (about €1,100); for comparison Spain €1,134, Germany roughly €2,054 and France about €1,802 (UK: £1,524 or ~€1,780), so Portugal remains lower than several Western European countries, which affects purchasing power and labour costs.
The Canadian IT consultancy CGI announced the opening of its first Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Portugal. The new facility will focus on generative AI and agent-based technologies, with the company planning to hire 100 people annually to support digital transformation projects.
Swedish manufacturer Saab is exploring the possibility of assembling components for its Gripen E/F fighter jets in Portugal as part of its bid to replace the Portuguese Air Force's aging F-16 fleet. The company already collaborates with Portuguese firms like Critical Software and OGMA on technology and maintenance. Saab officials argue that this partnership would strengthen Portugal's digital sovereignty and industrial capabilities.
OGMA (Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal) is a major aerospace company based in Alverca that specializes in the maintenance, repair, and manufacturing of aircraft components. It is a joint venture between the Brazilian company Embraer and the Portuguese state, and it serves as a key facility for international defense contracts, including potential assembly work for fighter jets.
The number of unemployed people registered with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional or IEFP) fell by 10.2% in March compared to the same month last year. Data shows 295,756 individuals were registered at the end of March, marking a 3.1% decrease from February. The most significant reductions occurred in the North, Azores, and Madeira regions.
The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) runs employment centres, job-placement services and vocational training in Portugal and publishes official unemployment data. IEFP reported a 10.8% drop in registered unemployed in December year‑on‑year and near‑stable figures from November, so job-seeking residents (including expats) should register with IEFP to access unemployment benefits, training and hiring programmes.
Seguro discusses the necessary improvements for Portugal to become an exceptional place for employment during his visit to Madrid.
President of the Republic António José Seguro stated during his official visit to Madrid that Portugal must improve career progression and salary conditions to become an extraordinary country to work in. While acknowledging Portugal is an excellent place to live, he urged young expatriates to remain engaged with the country's economic development. He also signaled that the government needs to address these labour issues to retain young talent.
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.
Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.
Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.
The Portuguese aerospace and defence sectors, represented by the AED Cluster, exported 92% of their production last year and expect growth exceeding 10% in 2025. The sector, which generated 2.1 billion euros in 2024, is increasingly targeting the United States and the Middle East as strategic markets.
Approximately 70% of applications for support measures under the Regressar Programme have been approved, according to official data. The Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional or IEFP) reported that 6,932 applications were submitted in the most recent period ending March 31. Since the programme began in 2019, over 25,000 applications have been processed.
The Regressar Programme (Programa Regressar) is a government initiative designed to support Portuguese emigrants who choose to return to Portugal. It provides financial incentives and tax benefits, such as a 50% reduction in personal income tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares or IRS) for a five-year period, to help ease the transition back into the country.
A new satellite production facility, the Alverca Space Hub, is being built at the Air Force (Força Aérea) installations in Alverca and is expected to be completed by mid-2024. The 1.5 million euro factory will initially produce eight radar satellites for the Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico). The project aims to establish Portugal's capacity to build and operate satellites for both domestic and European use.\n\nUpdate: Portugal launches six satellites including first national radar equipment\n\nPortugal successfully launched six new satellites into space on Monday aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. The launch included the country's first radar satellite for Earth observation and four satellites named after famous Portuguese authors, which form the Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada). These new assets will allow for real-time image capture regardless of weather conditions or light levels.
The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea) is Portugal’s military branch for defending national airspace and conducting aerial operations. Created in 1952, it also carries out search-and-rescue, aerial reconnaissance and disaster support such as photographing floods or moving emergency teams. Residents in affected regions may see its planes and helicopters used during storms and relief missions.
The Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico) is a collaborative space initiative between Portugal and Spain involving a network of small satellites for Earth observation. These satellites provide real-time data on maritime safety, climate change, and biodiversity across the Atlantic region. The project is linked to the Alverca Space Hub, a satellite factory in Portugal expected to finish construction in mid-2024.
The Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada) is a group of four Portuguese satellites launched to monitor Earth and maritime activities. Named after literary figures like Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa, these satellites are part of Portugal's space strategy.
The government and social partners reported progress in negotiations over a new labour package, though a final agreement has not yet been reached. The Business Confederation of Portugal (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal or CIP) and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) noted increased flexibility, while the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) protested after being excluded from the meeting. Employers are pushing for measures to increase productivity, while the government warns that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.” Workers and business owners should monitor these negotiations for changes to overtime pay and contract rules.
CIP is the Confederation of Portuguese Business (Confederação Empresarial de Portugal), the main employers’ association that represents companies and sector groups in Portugal. It lobbies government on economic and labour policy and its statements are watched by investors, employers and workers when debates arise over funding rules and labour reforms.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
CGTP (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional) regularly publishes studies and proposals on labor market conditions, wages, working time, and employment rights. These reports are used to support the union confederation's negotiating positions with the government and employers.
CGTP studies typically cover topics such as minimum wage adequacy, working hours reform, collective bargaining trends, social security sustainability, and the impact of proposed labor law changes on workers. The confederation uses this research to advocate for positions in tripartite social dialogue (Concertação Social) alongside the UGT union confederation and employer groups.
These publications are significant because they often shape public debate ahead of labor reforms and can influence the pace and direction of legislative changes.
Comboios de Portugal (CP) has signed an amendment to its contract with Alstom-DST to purchase 36 additional trains for urban services, bringing the total investment to €1.8 billion for nearly 200 new units. Minister of Infrastructure Miguel Pinto Luz described the move as the largest investment in train purchases in the country's history. Travelers should note that the new units are expected to begin arriving in 2029, two years earlier than originally planned.
Miguel Pinto Luz is Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing and a senior figure in the PSD. His portfolio covers roads, rail (including the Lisbon–Porto high-speed line), airports and housing policy. Before joining the government he was deputy mayor of Cascais.
CP (Comboios de Portugal) is Portugal's state-owned railway company, operating passenger services across the country including urban commuter lines in Lisbon and Porto, regional services, inter-city routes, and the high-speed Alfa Pendular connecting Braga, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Faro.
CP has faced persistent challenges including aging rolling stock, service delays, and infrastructure limitations. The company is undergoing a fleet modernization program, with new trains being delivered to replace decades-old carriages on suburban and regional lines.
Key commuter lines include the Cascais, Sintra, Azambuja, and Sado lines in the Lisbon metropolitan area, and the Aveiro, Braga, Guimarães, and Caíde lines serving Porto. Ticket prices are heavily subsidized, and monthly passes integrated with other public transport are available through the Navegante and Andante systems.
The Institute for Employment and Professional Training (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional or IEFP) approved 390 applications for an extraordinary fund to maintain jobs and support self‑employed workers hit by storm Kristin, allocating just over €11 million. The measure complements parliamentary emergency support for storm‑affected workers and aims to preserve payrolls in damaged businesses. Employers and affected workers should consult IEFP guidance on eligibility and payments.
The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) runs employment centres, job-placement services and vocational training in Portugal and publishes official unemployment data. IEFP reported a 10.8% drop in registered unemployed in December year‑on‑year and near‑stable figures from November, so job-seeking residents (including expats) should register with IEFP to access unemployment benefits, training and hiring programmes.
Portugal and Spain formalised a joint, equal application to build a European artificial‑intelligence 'gigafactory', pitching an estimated €8 billion of investment and planning infrastructure on both sides of the border — with the Portuguese site expected in Sines. The proposal aims to compete for EU support in a spring selection process that will choose several projects under a public‑private framework. Regional businesses, universities and local planners should monitor the bid for procurement and employment opportunities.
Bluepharma will open a new production unit in Coimbra for complex injectable medicines related to gene therapy, with operations expected to start in April; the project is the result of a consortium of ten entities and marks further investment in pharmaceutical innovation. The unit is intended to support manufacturing capacity for advanced therapies and may create specialised local jobs. Healthcare and biotech workers, and regional suppliers, should watch hiring and procurement notices as the unit becomes operational.
Critical TechWorks plans to hire about 300 people in 2026, ECO reports, expanding its workforce as part of a growth push in the tech sector. The new roles may span development, operations and support functions; the company frames the recruitment as part of ongoing investment in local teams. Jobseekers and tech professionals should watch the firm's careers pages and local recruitment events for openings. Workers and recruiters in Portugal's tech scene may see increased hiring competition in the coming months.
Critical TechWorks is a technology and engineering company active in Portugal that builds software for the automotive sector; the company said it plans to hire 300 employees in 2026. That hiring push is relevant for tech professionals looking for jobs in Portugal and for anyone tracking growth in the country's automotive software industry.
The Minister of Labour will meet UGT and four employer confederations at the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (Ministério do Trabalho, Solidariedade e Segurança Social) at 9:30 on Monday the 23rd to discuss proposed changes to labour law and to review technical talks held under the Social Concertation process. CGTP was not invited to the meeting, according to reporting. Workers, employers and union members should follow the talks for possible changes affecting contracts, collective bargaining and employment rules.
Update: Employers call revision 'balanced', urge dialogue
Armindo Monteiro, president of the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal (CIP), told media the government's draft is “balanced” and does not justify “all this conflict,” calling instead for continued talks between unions and employers and warning that taking the proposal to the Assembly without prior agreement risks politicising the process ahead of elections.
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
The Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (Ministério do Trabalho, Solidariedade e Segurança Social) is the Portuguese government department responsible for labour policy, social welfare and pensions. It sets and enforces labour rules, negotiates with unions and employers, and is where the meeting on Monday the 23rd at 9:30 AM with UGT and employer confederations will take place, so workers and employers should note any changes discussed there.
CGTP (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses – Intersindical Nacional) regularly publishes studies and proposals on labor market conditions, wages, working time, and employment rights. These reports are used to support the union confederation's negotiating positions with the government and employers.
CGTP studies typically cover topics such as minimum wage adequacy, working hours reform, collective bargaining trends, social security sustainability, and the impact of proposed labor law changes on workers. The confederation uses this research to advocate for positions in tripartite social dialogue (Concertação Social) alongside the UGT union confederation and employer groups.
These publications are significant because they often shape public debate ahead of labor reforms and can influence the pace and direction of legislative changes.
Parental leave (licença parental) in Portugal includes paid leave around childbirth that can be shared between parents plus a separate paternity quota, with eligibility usually tied to social‑security contributions or residency. Payments and administration go through Social Security (Segurança Social), so expat parents should check their contribution record, employment contract and register with Segurança Social to claim benefits and confirm exact leave length and pay rates.
Social Concertation (Concertação Social) is Portugal's tripartite dialogue between the government, trade unions and employer associations to negotiate labour, social and economic policies. Its agreements often shape government proposals but are not binding, so if talks fail the government can still submit the labour-law revision to Parliament and will need to secure votes there, potentially relying on support from opposition parties such as Chega.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP – Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses) is Portugal’s largest trade-union confederation, grouping most unions in manufacturing, public services and many other sectors.
Founded clandestinely in 1970 as “Intersindical” under the dictatorship, it emerged publicly after the 1974 Carnation Revolution and was legalised in 1975. It has been central to virtually all major labour struggles since then, from defending collective bargaining and the 40‑hour week to leading general strikes against austerity and labour‑law rollbacks.
CGTP is historically close to the Portuguese Communist Party and has a class‑struggle, anti‑neoliberal profile, strongly critical of EU and government policies seen as undermining workers’ rights. It favours grassroots mobilisation and strikes over compromise, often refusing national social‑pact deals that the more centrist UGT is willing to sign.
In today’s Portugal, CGTP remains a key actor in wage bargaining, labour‑law debates and national protests; together with UGT it called the first joint general strike in years in December 2025, signalling its continuing capacity to organise mass action.
Armindo Monteiro is the president of CIP - Confederação Empresarial de Portugal (Confederation of Portuguese Business). He said on Monday that the government's proposed labour-law revision is "balanced" and called for dialogue between employers' and workers' representatives, a position that matters because CIP represents major employers and can shape labour negotiations affecting companies and workers in Portugal.
Segurança Social is Portugal's public social security system, responsible for administering pensions, unemployment benefits, sickness pay, parental leave, family allowances, and other social support payments. It is funded through mandatory contributions from employers and employees.
Most services are managed online through Segurança Social Direta (SSD), where users can check contribution records, apply for benefits, submit declarations, and track payments using their NISS (Social Security Identification Number) and Citizen Card credentials.
Key interactions for residents include registering as a contributor (mandatory for all workers), claiming unemployment benefits, applying for parental leave, and accessing the minimum income scheme (Rendimento Social de Inserção). Self-employed workers (trabalhadores independentes) must also make quarterly income declarations through the platform.
The Ministry of Labour (Ministério do Trabalho) is the government department responsible for employment policy, labour law, collective bargaining and workplace inspections. It organises talks between employers and unions and can convene negotiations or propose changes to labour rules, so its meetings affect workers and employers directly.
A banked hours scheme (banco de horas) is a flexible working time arrangement under Portuguese labor law that allows employees to accumulate overtime hours and use them later as time off, rather than receiving immediate overtime pay.
Under the Portuguese Labour Code, banked hours can be established through collective agreements or, in some cases, individual agreements. The scheme allows employers to vary working hours based on demand — requiring longer hours during peak periods and compensating with shorter hours or days off later.
Banked hours schemes are a frequent topic in labor reform negotiations, with unions (particularly CGTP) pushing for tighter limits and greater worker protections, while employers argue for more flexibility. Proposed reforms have included extending eligibility to parents of young children and adjusting the cap on banked hours.
The government has received 1,922 requests from companies seeking support to maintain jobs after recent bad weather, the labour minister said, according to RTP. The applications are from firms in affected areas asking for emergency measures to avoid layoffs. Employers and workers in impacted sectors should monitor ministry announcements about eligibility and processing of support requests.
The government launched a multi-phase programme (PTRR will be approved in April) with targets running through 2034, aiming to reform state services, reuse existing schemes and open the door to hiring immigrants, Observador reports. The plan will be implemented in three phases and seeks structural change across public administration. Job-seekers and employers — including those recruiting foreign workers — should watch recruitment rules and later calls for proposals.
The PTRR is Portugal's Transformation, Recovery and Resilience plan, the national programme that channels EU recovery funding (NextGenerationEU) into investments and reforms after the COVID-19 shock. It totals about €16.6 billion in grants plus €2.7 billion in loans (≈€19.3 billion) and runs mainly from 2021–2026, financing projects in green transition, digitalisation and social infrastructure that affect public spending and investment decisions expats may notice in housing, transport and services.
The Public Administration (Administração Pública) is Portugal's central, regional and local government bodies and the public-sector workforce that deliver services like healthcare, education and municipal functions. A pay rise announced on 20 February 2026 raised the state's base public-sector salary to €934.99 with retroactive payments back to January 2026, so employees and those who contract with state bodies should expect updated payrolls and potential budget effects.
Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho said she invited unions and employer associations to working meetings on new labour legislation but that the CGTP did not want to negotiate and effectively self‑excluded, while the CGTP denies this and presented its own measures. The row follows a recent history of broad union action, including a general strike involving rival unions. Workers and employers should watch the talks: any exclusion or breakdown could shape the final labour rules and the timing of reforms.
Rosário Maria Ribeiro da Costa Palma Ramalho is a distinguished labor law academic who was appointed Minister of Labour in the XXV Constitutional Government under Luís Montenegro. She is one of Portugal's leading experts on employment law, having authored major textbooks and legal commentaries on the Portuguese Labour Code.
As minister, she leads negotiations with trade unions (CGTP, UGT) and employer confederations on labor reform, including changes to dismissal rules, working time flexibility, and collective bargaining. Her academic background gives her unusual technical authority in a portfolio that is typically politically charged.
A banked hours scheme (banco de horas) is a flexible working time arrangement under Portuguese labor law that allows employees to accumulate overtime hours and use them later as time off, rather than receiving immediate overtime pay.
Under the Portuguese Labour Code, banked hours can be established through collective agreements or, in some cases, individual agreements. The scheme allows employers to vary working hours based on demand — requiring longer hours during peak periods and compensating with shorter hours or days off later.
Banked hours schemes are a frequent topic in labor reform negotiations, with unions (particularly CGTP) pushing for tighter limits and greater worker protections, while employers argue for more flexibility. Proposed reforms have included extending eligibility to parents of young children and adjusting the cap on banked hours.
A general strike is a coordinated, large-scale work stoppage across multiple sectors called by trade unions to press political or labour demands. The December 11, 2025 strike — the first in 13 years — disrupted transport, schools and many public services, and illustrated that strikes can cause major short-term interruptions while employees and public-service rules determine who can legally take part.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP – Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses) is Portugal’s largest trade-union confederation, grouping most unions in manufacturing, public services and many other sectors.
Founded clandestinely in 1970 as “Intersindical” under the dictatorship, it emerged publicly after the 1974 Carnation Revolution and was legalised in 1975. It has been central to virtually all major labour struggles since then, from defending collective bargaining and the 40‑hour week to leading general strikes against austerity and labour‑law rollbacks.
CGTP is historically close to the Portuguese Communist Party and has a class‑struggle, anti‑neoliberal profile, strongly critical of EU and government policies seen as undermining workers’ rights. It favours grassroots mobilisation and strikes over compromise, often refusing national social‑pact deals that the more centrist UGT is willing to sign.
In today’s Portugal, CGTP remains a key actor in wage bargaining, labour‑law debates and national protests; together with UGT it called the first joint general strike in years in December 2025, signalling its continuing capacity to organise mass action.
Público reports a joint venture in rail technology has been created with Stadler holding 51% and Critical Software 49% of the new company, which starts this month with about 100 staff and aims to reach 300 employees within three years. The venture will develop rail‑technology solutions in Portugal and could expand hiring in engineering and software roles. Tech and transport sector workers should watch for recruitment and contract opportunities in the coming months.
