Employees receive a basic salary at the end of the month. Benefits are negotiable and vary from company to company, but usually include health insurance, family support (maternity leave is four to five months), car ownership and a generous holiday entitlement, up to 22 days per year.
To start your life in Portugal you need a taxpayer’s number (número de contribuinte). You can obtain this number at the local offices of Fiscal Administration or in the ‘Loja do Cidadão’ – centres that allow people to take care of multiple administrative formalities in one place.
To obtain your number you need to fulfil the following criteria:
As an EU citizen you must present your passport or identity card and address in Portugal.
Non EU citizens must bring their passport and be accompanied by a fiscal representative, either a Portuguese national or a resident in Portugal.
You will also need a Social Security number. This is available at from the local offices of Fiscal Administration.
Portuguese salaries are eligible for two automatic deductions: IRS (PIT- Personal Income Tax) and Social Security contribution.
To live in Portugal you need a Resident’s Card. This is available from the local offices of Fiscal Administration or the Loja do Cidadão.
To work in Portugal you need a working Visa (Visto de trabalho). You can get this from the Portuguese Embassy in your country or from the Customs Services when you get to Portugal.
