WAYS TO EARN IN PORTUGAL
Portugal isn’t just a place with beautiful beaches and great food — it’s also a great country to live in and earn money. Whether you’ve just moved there, are planning to move, or already live there and want more income, there are plenty of ways to make a living. Here’s a down-to-earth guide to how people are actually making money in Portugal today.
1. Work Online (Freelancing or Remote Jobs)
One of the best things about living in Portugal? You can work from a laptop and earn money from anywhere in the world. Loads of people in Portugal do this — designers, writers, programmers, virtual assistants, and more.
All you need is a laptop, internet, and some skills. You can find work on websites like:
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Upwork
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Fiverr
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Freelancer.com
If you're already working remotely for a company in another country, even better! Portugal has a special tax rule called NHR (Non-Habitual Resident), which can save you a lot in taxes for up to 10 years.
2. Tourism & Hospitality Jobs
Portugal is full of tourists — all year round. That means there are tons of jobs in tourism. You can:
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Work at hotels, hostels, or cafés
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Be a tour guide (especially if you speak English + Portuguese)
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Rent out a room or apartment on Airbnb
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Drive for Uber or Bolt
These jobs are often seasonal and flexible. Great if you enjoy meeting new people or just need a way to make quick money.
3. Teach English
If you’re a native English speaker or really good at English, you can earn money teaching it. People want to learn English for work, travel, or school.
Ways to do it:
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Teach in language schools
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Offer private lessons
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Teach online (via Cambly, Preply, etc.)
Get a TEFL certificate to boost your chances. You can earn between €10–€25 an hour.
4. Buy Property and Rent It Out
Got some savings? You might want to buy property in Portugal. It’s a smart way to earn passive income — especially in touristy cities like Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve.
You can:
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Rent to tourists on Airbnb
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Rent to students or expats long-term
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Buy, renovate, and sell for profit
Just make sure to check local laws around short-term rentals.
5. Start a Small Farm or Eco-Business
Portugal’s countryside is peaceful and cheaper than the cities. Some people move there to:
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Start organic farms
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Grow grapes or olives
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Open eco-tourism spots (like retreats or glamping)
If you’re into nature and a simple lifestyle, this could be perfect — and there’s EU funding available for eco or sustainable farming projects.
6. Start Your Own Business
Portugal is pretty friendly to entrepreneurs. If you have an idea — whether it’s a café, a food truck, a small shop, or an online business — there’s room for it here.
Lisbon has a growing startup scene. You can even apply for a Startup Visa if you’re not from the EU.
There are also local organizations and incubators that help new businesses get off the ground.
7. Invest in Stocks or Crypto
Many people in Portugal make money by investing in things like:
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Stocks (via platforms like Degiro)
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Cryptocurrencies (on Binance or Coinbase)
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Real estate or ETFs
It’s not risk-free, and you’ll need to learn the basics first. Also, make sure to get tax advice — Portugal’s tax rules around crypto have changed recently.
8. Do Creative Work
Portugal is a great place for artists, musicians, and creators. You can:
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Perform music in bars or on the street
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Sell art or crafts at markets or online
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Create content on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram
You might not become rich overnight, but if you’re passionate, it’s possible to turn your creativity into income — especially with Portugal’s lower cost of living.
9. Use Your Language Skills
If you speak more than one language (especially Portuguese + English), you can offer:
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Translation services
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Subtitling for videos or TV
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Transcribing audio to text
You can find gigs on websites like ProZ, TranslatorsCafé, or even Fiverr.
10. Part-Time and Side Jobs
Just want to earn some extra cash without a big commitment? No problem. There are plenty of side hustles you can do in Portugal:
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Dog walking or pet sitting
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Babysitting
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Cleaning houses or apartments
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Food delivery (Uber Eats, Glovo)
These jobs are usually flexible, easy to start, and don’t require much experience.
Final Thoughts
Making money in Portugal isn’t hard — but like anywhere, you’ll need to take action. Whether you're working online, running a guesthouse, teaching English, or doing a creative side hustle, there’s something for everyone.
Portugal offers the perfect mix of a great lifestyle and real opportunities to build your income, especially if you’re open to learning and trying new things.
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