Portugal has become a real tech hub, with engineering offices in Lisbon and Porto run by companies like Google, Cloudflare, Farfetch, OutSystems and Feedzai. English is the working language in most international teams, which makes IT one of the most open sectors for foreigners, including non-EU candidates who need visa sponsorship.
This page lists current IT and tech vacancies and explains the practical side: which companies sponsor visas, what the work pays, and which visa route fits your situation. The honest part matters too, salaries here are lower than in Germany or the Netherlands, so it helps to know the real numbers before you apply.
IT jobs are one of the easiest routes into Portugal for skilled foreigners, because most international teams work in English and many employers sponsor visas. Salaries are modest by Western European standards: roughly €25,000–€35,000 for juniors and €50,000–€70,000+ for seniors, with a small Lisbon cluster (Google, Cloudflare, Farfetch) paying €70,000–€100,000+. Non-EU workers usually enter through the Tech Visa or D3 highly qualified visa, both tied to a job offer from a certified employer. The fastest path is applying directly to companies on the IAPMEI Tech Visa list.
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€25k–70k+
Typical IT salary range / year
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English
Working language in most teams
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Tech Visa / D3
Main routes for non-EU workers
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Lisbon & Porto
Main tech hubs
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Portugal’s tech sector has grown fast, and for foreign workers it has three real advantages. English is the working language in most international teams, so you rarely need Portuguese to get hired. Visa sponsorship is common for skilled roles, unlike many sectors. And the cost of living, especially outside Lisbon, is lower than in Northern Europe.
The trade-off is pay. Salaries are well below Germany, the Netherlands or Ireland for the same role. The draw is lifestyle, a clear visa path, and a growing job market, not a bigger paycheck.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you need the right to work before starting. The good news is that IT is one of the few sectors where Portuguese employers routinely sponsor visas, because skilled tech talent is in short supply. There are four routes worth knowing.
The Tech Visa is not a visa you apply for directly. It is a certification that companies hold. Employers certified by IAPMEI can issue a “term of responsibility” that fast-tracks your visa, cutting consulate processing to roughly one to three months. You then apply for the D3 visa using that document. The public list of certified employers is at tech-visa.iapmei.pt, and checking it first is the smartest move you can make.
The D3 is the actual visa most non-EU tech workers use. It needs a job offer in a qualified role, a relevant degree or about five years of experience, and a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average, roughly €1,200–€1,600+ gross per month in 2026. Processing takes 30 to 60 days. The permit starts at two years and renews for three more.
The EU Blue Card suits higher-paid qualified roles and lets you move between EU countries later. The Job Seeker Visa is different: it lets you enter Portugal for 120 days, extendable to 180, to look for work in person. For qualified IT candidates, the Job Seeker Visa is a realistic way to job-hunt on the ground.
Sponsorship is concentrated at international offices and accredited Portuguese tech firms. Names that regularly hire and sponsor non-EU engineers include:
When reading a job ad, look for “visa sponsorship”, “relocation support” or “open to international candidates”. If those words are missing, ask before investing time in the application.
Be realistic about pay. The national median for a software engineer is around €32,000–€40,000 gross per year, less than half of what Dutch or Irish engineers earn. A small Lisbon cluster pays far more, but those roles are a minority of the market.
| Level / role | Typical gross / year |
|---|---|
| Junior developer (0–3 yrs) | €25,000–€35,000 |
| Mid-level (3–7 yrs) | €35,000–€52,000 |
| Senior (7+ yrs) | €50,000–€70,000 |
| Senior at top Lisbon firms | €70,000–€100,000+ total |
| IT support / technician | €18,000–€28,000 |
Cloud, AI and DevOps skills add a clear premium. Pay in Porto runs roughly 10–20% below Lisbon, but rent is lower too.
You do not need Portuguese for most tech roles. International teams operate in English, and many job ads are written in English from the start. Portuguese helps with daily life and with smaller local companies, but it is rarely a hiring requirement for engineering.
For EU and EEA citizens, there is no visa needed, you can start as soon as you arrive and register. For everyone else, the visa routes above apply, and English fluency plus an in-demand stack is usually enough to get noticed.
Some practical notes by background, since the route differs:
Tech hiring is concentrated, so location matters.
The market spans the full range of tech work. Common openings include:
If you also work remotely, see our remote software developer jobs.
The most effective route is targeting employers that already sponsor visas, rather than applying blindly.
Before relocating, confirm the current visa requirements with AIMA, and read our full guide to the requirements for non-EU citizens to work in Portugal.
Going in with clear eyes saves disappointment.
Yes, more than most sectors. IT is short of skilled talent, so employers routinely sponsor non-EU workers, usually through the Tech Visa or D3 route. Sponsorship favours qualified, experienced candidates rather than entry-level applicants.
Juniors earn roughly €25,000 to €35,000 gross per year, mid-level €35,000 to €52,000, and seniors €50,000 to €70,000. A small Lisbon cluster at Google, Cloudflare and Farfetch pays €70,000 to €100,000+ in total compensation.
Yes. English is the working language in most international tech teams, and many job ads are written in English. Portuguese helps with daily life and smaller local firms, but it is rarely a hiring requirement for engineering roles.
Non-EU workers usually use the Tech Visa, which fast-tracks the D3 highly qualified visa at IAPMEI-certified companies. The D3 needs a job offer, qualifications and a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average. EU citizens need no visa.
International offices like Google Lisbon, Cloudflare and Microsoft, and Portuguese scaleups like Farfetch, OutSystems, Feedzai, Unbabel and Sword Health regularly sponsor non-EU engineers. The full certified list is at tech-visa.iapmei.pt.
Lisbon has the most roles and the highest pay, with most international offices. Porto is a fast-growing second hub with lower pay but cheaper living. Braga has a smaller tech cluster around its university.
