Overview
Lisbon offers the most jobs for German speakers, a lively startup scene and plenty of coworking options for location-independent work. Porto is also growing in importance. Alongside IT and customer service, tourism along the coast is a classic entry point.
Work permit
As an EU citizen, you don't need a work permit for Portugal. For a longer stay, you register with your local municipality and apply for a tax identification number (NIF) – you'll need this for almost everything: rental contract, bank account, payroll.
Taxes & cost of living
The former NHR tax program was reformed at the end of 2024 and replaced by the IFICI regime, which offers a flat 20% tax rate for up to 10 years for certain qualified professions (including IT, research, and engineering). Whether this applies to your individual situation should be checked with a tax advisor.
As a rough guide: monthly living costs (excluding rent) for a single person are around €1,200-2,000 in Lisbon, €1,000-1,600 in Porto, and lower in more rural areas. Rents in Lisbon have, however, risen significantly in recent years.
Language requirements
In Lisbon and Porto, English gets you surprisingly far, especially in tech and tourism. For roles with German-speaking customer contact, German at "Fluent (B2-C1)" or "Native level (C2)" is usually required. Portuguese isn't a must for most jobs, but it makes everyday life easier.
As of 2026. Not legal or tax advice – tax rules change frequently, please get individual advice.