Live and work in Porto
Nestled among the hills in the Douro Valley in north-western Portugal lies beautiful Porto. Also called Portugal’s second city. Porto is Portugal’s most popular cityafter Lisbon and the Algarve. The city is best known as the place of origin of the delicious Port(o) wine.
The atmospheric old town, Ribeira, is located on the Douro River. According to many, Porto is even more authentic and atmospheric than Lisbon. In the old town, you will find many buildings that are Unesco World Heritage Sites. The city is full of medieval remains, small tiled houses and beautiful viewpoints. Would you like to work and live in Porto, Portugal? Then quickly read all about it in this article!
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Work in Porto
Working conditions in Porto
In Portugal, you can work a maximum of 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day. Most companies offer contracts of 35-40 hours spread over a 5-day working week. In addition, many Portuguese companies are also open on Saturdays.
Salaries in Porto
The average monthly salary in Portugal in 2022 falls between €900 and €1000. As the cost of living in Porto is a lot lower than in the Netherlands or Belgium, you can get by just fine in Porto on this salary. The average gross annual salary of workers in Porto in 2022 is €27,000.
Holidays: every worker in Portugal is entitled to a minimum of 22 paid holidays a year. This does not include the country’s 13 national holidays.
Income tax in Porto
Portugal is not only a beautiful country to live in because of its warm climate, but tax-wise, working and living in Portugal also brings many advantages. For instance, Portugal has a progressive income tax system. The higher the income you earn, the more tax you have to pay. There are 4 different tax brackets in Portugal and tax rates range from 14% to 48%.
Sales tax in Portugal is only 21% and the corporate tax rate in Portugal is only 12.5% (up to a profit of €12,500 and above that you pay 25% tax). These rates are very low compared to other European countries. This naturally makes Portugal very interesting for foreign companies.
The work culture in Porto
Portuguese companies are quite formal and hierarchy in the workplace is very important. You are expected to treat your boss with extra respect and in the workplace it is customary to call colleagues by their surnames (unless the person indicates that you can call them by their first name). Age, status and position are highly valued and important decisions are always made by management. It is also appreciated if you dress formally. Think a suit for men and a dress/skirt for women.
Building relationships is very important in Portugal and workers take the time to get to know each other better.
Furthermore, it is important to know that punctuality is not as important in Portugal as in many other European countries. It can regularly happen that your colleagues take a longer lunch break and a meeting starts 30 minutes later.
Networking in Porto
If you are new to Porto, it can be nice to meet other expats and locals. Luckily, fun (networking) events are regularly organised in Porto. Take a look at Eventbrite and AllEvents for a list of fun events in Porto.
It might also be a good idea to join relevant (Facebook) groups, such as Porto Expats, Porto Expat Family.
Living in Porto
Advantages of living and working in Porto
Many people who want to work abroad choose Portugal because of its pleasant climate. Consequently, this is one of the main reasons why more and more expats come to live and work in Porto.
In addition, the city is home to both modern and traditional, historical buildings. The Portuguese are friendly and hospitable people and the city also has numerous beautiful beaches. Lovely to take a stroll along the beach on either side of the Douro River after a working day.
Moreover, there are numerous fun (networking) events organised every year. Meanwhile, Portugal’s economy has also recovered and grown to the extent that living and working in Porto is becoming more popular every year!
Accommodation in Porto
Finding accommodation in Porto is fairly easy. There are several ways to find your dream place in this fun city. Examples of good websites are: Nestpick and Housing Anywhere. Also nice to know is that Porto is a fairly cheap city to live in and rents are relatively cheap. Especially compared to Lisbon. The average rent for a 1-bedroom flat outside Porto’s city centre is €570. The average rent for a 1-bedroom flat in the city centre is €739.
Where to stay in Porto?
Popular neighbourhoods in Porto include Ramalde, Foz do Douro, Baixa (this district is full of good restaurants and nice shops) and Campanha. Campanha is a bit like a village with nice squares and parks.
Transport in Porto
Porto’s city centre is quite compact. Basically, like Lisbon, Porto is also great to explore on foot. If you head towards the outskirts of the city, you’ll find that public transport is well organised.
Porto has a reliable metro system that allows you to get almost anywhere. It also has a bus network that allows you to reach even the most remote spots. In the city centre, you’ll even sometimes come across historic trams.
How does the Porto metro work?
To travel on the metro, you need an Andante card. This is a kind of paper public transport chip card on which you can put as many rides as you want. You can also use this card for buses, trams and city trains. You pay a small charge of €0.60 for the card when you check in for the first time.
Unlimited public transport travel is possible with the Andante Tour Card. For €7, you buy a card that is valid for 24 hours. For €15 you can buy a card valid for 72 hours. So cheap prices in Porto!
Eating in Porto
Fond of fish and wine? Then Porto is the place for you! Of course, you’re also in the right place for a good piece of meat, but Porto is all about fish dishes. Especially a lot of dried cod. This cod, in turn, is used for Pataniscas de Bacalhau; one of Porto’s delicacies. In addition, of course, Porto is inseparable from Port. Anyway, Porto has an abundance of cosy and good eateries, so there is something for everyone!
Nightlife in Porto
In Porto, you’ll find plenty of great places to go out. Whether you opt for a lively club, a cosy pub or a pub crawl. Take a stroll around the popular squares and you’re bound to find a cosy spot where you’ll have the night/night of your life….
As we mentioned earlier, Porto’s iconic drink is, of course, port wine. In Porto, you have the opportunity to taste port in one of the many wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. But Porto is also teeming with bars and clubs where you can drink tasty beers, cocktails and even caipirinhas – by the sea! Whether you stay in the city centre or explore Matosinhos or Foz do Douro, a night out in Porto is unforgettable anyway!
The cost of living in Porto
If you are going to work abroad, it is of course nice to know in advance what the approximate cost of living in your new country/city will be. That’s why this section gives you more information on the cost of living in Porto.
When you start working in Porto you will most likely earn a lower salary than you are used to in the Netherlands/Belgium/Germany. However, you can have a good and nice life in Porto with this salary, as the cost of living in Porto is a lot lower than in many other European cities. For instance, consumer prices in Porto are almost 40% lower than in Amsterdam and rents are even 56% cheaper in Porto. In addition, shopping is over 37% cheaper in Porto and restaurant prices are a whopping 53% lower than in Amsterdam or Berlin.
In Amsterdam, you pay an average of €80 for a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant, while in Porto it costs just €40. A 0.5-litre beer costs just under €6 in Amsterdam and €2 in Porto. A gym membership in Porto costs just €16 a month and a cinema ticket costs €7.
Porto’s landscape and nature
The Douro Valley, known for its quintas and beautiful vineyards, is where the famous Port and Douro Wine come from. This area is rightly the most beautiful area in Portugal! This unique valley is only an hour away from Porto and it is definitely worth a visit.
In the Douro Valley, you will find many port houses that have established themselves there. But the Douro Valley is ultimately best known for its beautiful landscapes. The hillsides and very steep flanks are full of greenery. Even the most beautiful car route in the world runs through this area. The ‘’golden river‘’ the Douro rises in the mountains in northern Spain and flows south to eventually flow out at Porto.
Weather in Porto
Porto has a warm Mediterranean climate. This means that summers can get very hot and heat waves with temperatures above 40 degrees can occur. As humidity in Porto is always on the low side, the wind chill in summer is usually pleasant. Furthermore, Porto has fairly wet and rainy winters. The average annual temperature in Porto is around 19 degrees.
The time in Porto
The time difference between the Netherlands and Porto is 1 hour. It is 1 hour earlier in Porto than in the Netherlands.
The population of Portugal
The total population of Portugal in 2022 is 10,243,000. Of these, more than 230,000 live in Porto, and the metropolitan area of Porto actually has more than 1.7 million inhabitants.
Portuguese are known for their cordiality and hospitality. They value friends and family very highly and go out of their way to help others. Friends are often treated as family.
What to do in Porto Portugal
Ribeira (old town)
The oldest and immediately the nicest district of Porto is Ribeira, which is located on the Douro River. The port is home to many port boats. These moor there before heading to Vila Nova de Gaia. The facades of the quayside houses are very distinctive and the narrow streets, alleys and local markets give a ‘’back in time‘’ feeling.
Vila Nova de Gaia
Opposite Porto is the coastal town of Vila Nova de Gaia. This place is responsible for the worldwide supply of the famous Port wines. This delicious wine has been made in Porto since the 17th century. From the monastery church Serra do Pilar (built in the 16th century), you can enjoy stunning views over Porto and the Douro River.
Maria Pia bridge
This bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia is now no longer in use. The railway bridge, named after the Portuguese Queen Maria Pia, used to be mainly used to transport Port by train. This was also Gustav Eiffel’s first design. Through a boat trip, the bridges can still be admired perfectly. The view of Porto from the water is really beautiful!
Casa de Chá da Boa Nova Leça da Palmeira
This means the ‘tea house of good news’. A restaurant in a very special location. If you like unusual architecture and stunning views, we recommend eating at this restaurant. Architect Alvaro Siza Vieira designed this extraordinary structure on top of the cliffs of Leça da Palmeira.
Casa de Música
You can safely call the extraordinary building ‘Casa de Música’ in Porto the city’s icon. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas is responsible for its construction. The design is very modern and sleek. Inside, too, it is a picture to behold. Every detail has been well thought out. This concert hall stands opposite the big roundabout ‘Rotunda da Boavista’ and cost around 100 million euros.
Torre dos Clérigos
This is also the most famous tower in Porto. The tower belongs to the Igreja dos Clérgos church and can be seen from all over Porto. This is why the Portuguese consider this tower the city’s symbol. The church and tower are built in Baroque style. Just 225 steps up and you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the city of Porto.
Wondering what else there is to discover and experience in beautiful Porto? Then read this blog with tips! You can also check out our Porto travel guide.
Health care in Porto
The quality of healthcare in Portugal is good and even improved considerably in recent years. In fact, Portugal’s healthcare system is considered one of the best in Europe! In addition, the average cost of healthcare in Portugal is lower than in many other European countries.
When you start working in Portugal, your employer will ensure that you are registered with the Segurança Social (the public healthcare system in Portugal). You and your employer then jointly pay premiums every month. This gives you access to the public healthcare system and reimburses (a large part of) your medical expenses. Then you can also choose to take out supplementary private health insurance in Portugal.
Visa and travel insurance Porto
As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa or work permit to work and live in Porto. Just make sure you have a valid passport or national ID card. A driving licence is therefore not sufficient.
If you want to live and work in Porto for more than three months, you will need a certificate of registration (Certificado de Registro de Cidadão Europeu) from the municipality (Câmara Municipal) of your place of residence. You can exchange this certificate after five years for an official residence permit (autorização de residência) at the Portuguese Foreigners’ Service (SEF – Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras).
Opening a bank account in Porto
If you want to live in Porto for a longer period of time, it is useful to open a Portuguese bank account. You can do this by going to a local bank branch. Take your declaration of registration and your NIF number ( Portuguese tax number) with you. Some Portuguese banks allow you to open a bank account online in the Netherlands or Belgium even before you move.
Bear in mind that banking fees in Portugal are usually higher than in other countries. Think €5-€7 per month. Examples of large, popular banks in Porto are Millennium BCP, Caixa and Banco BPI.
Safety in Porto
Security risks in Porto are similar to the Netherlands. Make sure you always watch your belongings. Especially in crowded, touristy places.
More information on working in Porto
Is Porto cheaper than Lisbon?
Since Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, it is more expensive than Porto. Porto is about 7.2% cheaper than Lisbon.
How expensive is life in Porto?
Portugal is one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe. So living in Portugal has many advantages. The cost of living there is low, while you can enjoy a high standard of living.
What is the average salary in Porto?
The average gross monthly salary of employees in Porto is €2,250.
Is there a beach in Porto?
Yes indeed, and these are very close to the city. It will take you just 18 minutes by car to get to the beach from the centre of Porto. Of course, you can also choose to go by public transport or take a lovely walk.