Couriers are independent professionals who deliver what people need, when they need it. Delivery jobs in Portugal offer flexible, on-demand work—earn by delivering food and small items quickly and efficiently.
Can Foreigners Work as Delivery Couriers?
Yes — delivery jobs in Portugal are open to foreigners, but the requirements differ depending on your nationality.
EU and EEA citizens can register as self-employed (recibos verdes) and start delivering without a work visa. You will need a NIF (Portuguese tax number), an IBAN from a ank account in Portugal, and to open activity at Finanças before registering with any platform.
Non-EU citizens need a valid residence permit or work authorisation before applying to any delivery jobs in Portugal platform. A Manifestação de Interesse in process may be accepted by some platforms — confirm directly with each one before applying. You will also need a NIF and IBAN.
All nationalities — regardless of origin — need a NIF and a Portuguese IBAN to receive platform payments. Getting these documents in order before applying will speed up your onboarding significantly.
Learn how to apply for jobs in Portugal from abroad
What Vehicle Do You Need for Delivery Jobs?
Your choice of vehicle affects how much you earn, which platforms accept you, and how quickly you can complete deliveries. Here is what you need to know before applying.
Bicycle or e-bike — the lowest-cost way to start. No driving licence required. Ideal for short urban routes in Lisbon and Porto city centres. Best suited for food delivery during lunch and dinner peaks. Physical fitness matters more in hilly areas like Lisbon.
Scooter or moped — faster coverage and more orders per hour than a bicycle. Requires a valid driving licence (categoria A or AM) and third-party insurance. The most popular choice among full-time couriers in Portugal due to the balance between cost and earnings potential.
Car — the highest earning potential for longer routes, larger grocery orders and bad weather conditions. Requires a categoria B licence, valid insurance and vehicle documentation. Also required for contracted delivery jobs in Portugal roles with companies like CTT and DHL.
No vehicle yet? Some platforms accept on-foot delivery in very dense urban areas. Check availability in your city directly in the platform app before applying, as this option is not available everywhere in Portugal.
Glovo Delivery Jobs in Portugal
Glovo couriers use their own vehicle—bike, scooter, or car—and choose when to work. If you’re after flexibility, these delivery jobs in Portugal let you set your schedule, control your earnings, and keep things simple.
To start, you’ll need a few essentials: ID/passport, NIF (tax number; activity opened with Finanças), IBAN (for payouts), a smartphone with data, and—if you ride a scooter or drive—a valid driver’s licence (carta de condução) plus insurance. Once approved, you can fazer entregas (deliveries) of food and everyday items with clear quality and safety rules.
Glovo’s onboarding is straightforward: register, upload documents, watch the short training, pick up an insulated backpack, and go online in active zones (Lisbon, Porto, and other cities). The app shows demand peaks at lunch, dinner, weekends, and rainy days—making it easier to plan hours and boost earnings.
Glovo Courier in Portugal: Quick, Easy, and Flexible
Becoming a Glovo rider in Portugal is a simple and fast process. If you are searching for Glovo rider apply Portugal information, you can register online, watch a short onboarding session and submit the required documents to start delivering.
Just register on this page, watch a brief online info session, and submit the required documents. Once you have your isothermal backpack and familiarize yourself with the Glovo Couriers app, you’re all set to start delivering!
Glovo offers a fun and flexible way to earn money while exploring your city. You can define your own hours, giving you the freedom to work during your free time and generate income on your terms. Whether you’re looking for a full-time gig or part-time work, Glovo fits your lifestyle.
To apply for Glovo delivery jobs in Portugal, riders usually need a valid ID or residence permit, a smartphone, a vehicle and access to self-employment registration or a fleet partner. Additionally, you must be of legal age and have your own vehicle—be it a car, bike, or scooter.
With Glovo, you can enjoy the flexibility of setting your own schedule while making deliveries that help others get what they need, fast and efficiently. Start your journey as a Glovo courier today and take control of your work-life balance!
Many foreigners search for Glovo rider jobs in Portugal because of the flexible schedules, fast onboarding process and ability to start earning quickly.
Requirements to apply for Glovo delivery jobs in Portugal
- 18+ and legally allowed to work in Portugal (EU/EEA citizen, residence permit, or Manifestação de Interesse in process).
- Smartphone with mobile data.
- Vehicle: bicycle/e-bike, scooter, or car (your own).
- For scooter/car: valid driving licence, vehicle docs and insurance.
- Helmet and reflective gear recommended for bikes/scooters.
- Identification & payments: ID card/passport, NIF (tax number) and IBAN (bank account).
- Self-employment setup: open activity at Finanças (recibos verdes) with the appropriate CAE (e.g., 53200 – Postal and courier activities) and/or CIRS code as requested in onboarding; keep NISS/social security compliant.
If you meet these requirements, you can usually finish registration and start receiving orders quickly (document checks may extend timelines). Always follow the latest instructions inside the Glovo Courier app.
Registration process on the Glovo App
- Register on the website with the requested information.
- Take a look at our informative session, where we show you a series of videos and ask you some simple questions. The session lasts less than 10 minutes.
- Annex all requested documentation (all documents will be reviewed, if one or more are incorrect, you will be informed to submit it again).
- Make sure you have an isothermic bag. Your backpack doesn’t have to be from Glovo, but if you want one, you can buy it from the Glovo’s Store during the registration process.
- Lastly, download the App and access your profile as soon as you receive the account activation confirmation.
You are ready to start delivering! Interested in the Glovo delivery jobs in Portugal? Please fill out this Glovo couriers application form (page in Portuguese) and we will get back to you.
Not interested in this job offer? You still have other available delivery driver offers, please also check for other available part time jobs in Portugal.
Taxes & self-employment checklist
Most delivery jobs in Portugal platforms treat couriers as independent workers. That means opening activity with the tax office, issuing electronic receipts, and keeping simple records. Here’s the practical version for delivery jobs in Portugal.
Quick checklist
- NIF (tax number) and IBAN for payouts.
- Open self-employment activity at Finanças (recibos verdes). Common CAE: 53200 – Postal and courier activities (confirm during onboarding).
- NISS (social security number) and registration with Segurança Social.
- Decide VAT/IVA status (exempt vs. normal regime, depending on turnover).
- Issue recibos verdes for platform payments; keep monthly summaries.
How to open activity (summary)
- Log in to the Portal das Finanças with your NIF.
- Choose Iniciar Atividade → select “serviços”, add CAE/CIRS codes and estimated turnover.
- Pick the VAT regime according to the legal threshold.
- Save the confirmation; the platform may request it.
Social security basics
- Independent workers contribute to Segurança Social based on declared income; new activities may have temporary reductions.
- Payments for delivery jobs in Portugal are usually monthly after an assessment period—watch notifications in your SS portal.
Taxes, invoices & records
- Issue an electronic recibo verde for each payout you receive.
- Track dates, gross amounts, and deductible expenses (fuel, maintenance, mobile data, safety gear).
- File the required periodic/annual returns; when in doubt, consult a certified accountant.
Note: Rules change for delivery jobs in Portugal and individual situations vary. Use this as a practical overview—always confirm details on official portals or with a qualified accountant.
Uber Eats Delivery Jobs in Portugal
Uber Eats is one of the most downloaded food delivery apps in Portugal, operating in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and other cities. Like Glovo, Uber Eats works with independent couriers who choose their own hours and deliver by bike, scooter or car.
To deliver with Uber Eats in Portugal you need: 18+, valid ID or passport, NIF (tax number with activity opened at Finanças), IBAN, smartphone, vehicle and — for scooters or cars — a valid driving licence. EU citizens need proof of right to work; non-EU citizens need a valid residence permit.
One important difference from Glovo: Uber Eats requires a Non-Debt Certificate from Finanças and Social Security as part of the onboarding, which can take a few extra days. Allow 1–2 weeks from registration to first delivery.
Apply to deliver with Uber Eats in Portugal
Bolt Food Courier Jobs in Portugal
Bolt Food is a fast-growing delivery platform available in multiple Portuguese cities. It offers weekly payouts, no monthly fees and no minimum number of orders — making it a popular choice for couriers who want to multi-app alongside Glovo or Uber Eats.
Requirements: 18+, valid ID, smartphone with local number, bank account registered in Portugal (IBAN), and a vehicle (bike, scooter, car or motorbike). Sign-up is done directly in the Bolt Food Courier app or via the website — the process is typically faster than Uber Eats onboarding.
Apply to deliver with Bolt Food
Delivery Jobs in Portugal with Contract — CTT, DHL and MRW
Not interested in freelance work? Several logistics and courier companies in Portugal hire delivery drivers on employment contracts, offering a fixed salary, holiday pay and full social security coverage.
CTT Expresso — Portugal’s national postal and courier service regularly hires delivery drivers for parcel distribution routes across the country. Roles are typically full-time with a fixed schedule. Check current openings on the CTT careers page.
DHL Portugal — DHL Supply Chain and DHL Express hire warehouse operatives and delivery drivers, particularly near Lisbon, Porto and Setúbal. Roles often require a driving licence and some warehouse or logistics experience. Salaries start around €1,100–€1,300/month.
MRW Portugal — a Spanish logistics group with a strong presence in Portugal, MRW hires drivers for last-mile delivery routes. Requirements are similar to DHL — licence, reliability and basic Portuguese or English.
These roles suit candidates who prefer stability over flexibility and want to build a long-term career in logistics rather than gig work.
Browse all logistics and transport jobs in Portugal
Which Delivery Platform Pays More in Portugal?
The honest answer is: it depends on your city, hours and how efficiently you work. Here is a practical comparison to help you decide where to start.
Glovo pays €3.50–€6.50 per delivery with surge pricing during peak hours. It has the widest city coverage in Portugal, including smaller towns outside Lisbon and Porto. A good option if you are not based in a major city.
Uber Eats offers a similar per-delivery rate with strong restaurant coverage in Lisbon and Porto. Boost promotions during busy periods can increase earnings significantly. Onboarding takes slightly longer due to additional document requirements.
Bolt Food offers weekly payouts with no monthly fees and no minimum orders. It is growing quickly in major Portuguese cities and is popular among couriers who want to combine it with another platform.
The verdict: most experienced couriers in Portugal multi-app across two or three platforms simultaneously to reduce downtime between orders and maximise monthly
earnings. Starting with Glovo and adding Uber Eats or Bolt Food once approved is the most common approach.
How Much Do Delivery Drivers Earn in Portugal?
Earnings vary significantly depending on whether you work as an independent courier on a platform or as an employee with a contract. Here is a practical breakdown:
Platform couriers (freelance — recibos verdes) Glovo, Uber Eats and Bolt Food couriers typically earn €3.50–€6.50 per delivery, depending on distance, time of day and city. In Lisbon and Porto, active couriers working lunch and dinner peaks (roughly 6–8 hours/day) report monthly earnings of €800–€1,400. Part-time couriers working evenings and weekends typically earn €300–€600/month. Earnings are higher during rain, public holidays and busy tourist seasons. Keep in mind that as a self-employed courier you are responsible for your own taxes (recibos verdes) and social security contributions.
Employed delivery drivers (contract). Companies such as DHL, CTT Expresso and MRW hire delivery drivers on employment contracts. These roles offer more stability — a fixed monthly salary starting at €1,020–€1,200 (minimum wage level), with benefits including holiday pay, sick leave and social security covered by the employer. Experience with a commercial driving licence (categoria C) can push salaries to €1,400–€1,800/month for longer-haul routes.
Which is better — platform or contract? Platform work offers flexibility and the potential to earn more in peak hours, but income is variable and you handle your own taxes. Contract roles offer stability and legal protections but fixed hours. Many couriers in Portugal start with platforms and transition to contracted roles as they build local experience.
How Much Can You Earn? Portugal Food Delivery Work Income Explained
Looking for other opportunities? Browse all verified jobs in Portugal for foreigners and English speakers.