If you are thinking about moving to Portugal to find your fortune, you might want to stop and think again. Portugal's job opportunities are scarce, unemployment levels are relatively high and the economy is very slow moving.
The chances of expats finding a job in Portugal get slimmer every year. Each year around 70,000 graduates enter the Portuguese job market making, and unemployment has been rising continuously.
Your chances of finding a job in Portugal will be higher if you can speak Portuguese and English, other European languages are an advantage.
As an English speaker you can quite easily pick up a teaching job. Most schools will hire anyone with an internationally recognised TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate. The level of English taught in the state and private sector of education is very high and native speakers of British English are valued more.
If teaching is not your thing, you are most likely to find a job in the tourism or property industry. Tourism and property sales are Portugal's biggest industries. To find a job in one of these sectors, knowledge of foreign languages is essential. Be aware that it will be hard to make a good income in one of these sectors as business is quiet outside of the holiday season.
Portugal has a shortage of workers in more specialised areas like medicine, nursing and information technology. As a foreigner, it should not be hard getting a job as a doctor or nurse as there is already a high percentage of foreign workers in the industry. However, you will have to complete training to adapt your knowledge to the Portuguese health regulations. You will also need to speak very good Portuguese. Be aware that it is likely that your wages may be a lot lower than in your home country.