Seasonal jobs in Portugal: tourism, farming, pay and visas

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What seasonal jobs are available in Portugal?

Portuguese trabalho sazonal relies first on tourism, a key engine of the economy, and on fast-growing export agriculture: greenhouse berries, olives, wine, tomatoes and fruit. Hotels, restaurants and entertainment provide most summer contracts.

Farm jobs involve harvesting, pruning and packing, often in international crews. Tourism hires waiters, cooks, receptionists, housekeepers, lifeguards and entertainers. English is widely used in the Algarve, but Portuguese remains a decisive advantage with employers.

Regions and sectors

The Algarve, from Albufeira to Lagos and Tavira, concentrates beach tourism. Lisbon, Porto, Madeira and the Azores also recruit for summer. The Alentejo produces olives, wine and almonds, while Odemira on the south-west coast grows greenhouse berries nearly all year.

The Douro Valley organises the port wine harvest, the Oeste region around Caldas da Rainha picks Rocha pears, and the Ribatejo processing tomatoes. The Serra da Estrela offers a limited number of winter jobs.

• Tourism: hotels, restaurants, beach bars, golf resorts and entertainment.
• Berries: raspberries, blueberries and strawberries in Odemira.
• Vineyards: Douro, Alentejo and Vinho Verde harvests.
• Olive groves and orchards: olives, almonds, pears, apples.

When do Portuguese seasons run?

Tourism now stretches from April to October in the Algarve, peaking in July and August. Farm campaigns are spread throughout the year, so workers can chain several seasons in a row.

Madeira and the Azores

The archipelagos have a longer tourist season, almost year-round in Madeira. Hotels recruit regularly, but transport and housing costs must be considered before accepting any offer without accommodation.

Who can work a season in Portugal?

Europeans work freely. Third-country nationals need a seasonal work visa, either short-stay or temporary-stay depending on the length of the contract, in sectors officially recognised as seasonal.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

They need no permit. They must obtain a NIF tax number and a NISS social security number when the contract starts. For stays longer than three months, registration with the municipal council is required within the following thirty days.

Seasonal work visas

Law 102/2017 created a short-stay visa for seasonal work up to 90 days and a temporary-stay visa for longer contracts. Eligible sectors include agriculture, accommodation and catering, food industries, trade, construction and land transport.

Applicants need a contract or binding job offer paying above the minimum wage, proof of accommodation, insurance, a criminal record certificate and funds. Workers admitted for seasonal work in the previous five years benefit from a simplified, faster procedure.

AIMA, the migration agency

Since October 2023, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA, has handled the administrative functions for migrants previously carried out by SEF. Visas are issued by Portuguese consulates, sometimes through outsourced application centres.

Pay and working conditions

The Portuguese Labour Code applies to everyone working in the country. Collective agreements in tourism and agriculture may set amounts above the minimum wage, along with bonuses and specific working-time rules.

The 2026 national minimum wage

Decree-Law 139/2025 of 29 December sets the guaranteed monthly minimum wage at 920 euros from 1 January 2026 on the mainland, an increase of 5.7 percent on the 870 euros of 2025.

Collective agreements in hospitality often add meal allowances and night or holiday premiums. Ask which agreement applies and request a copy of the pay scale before signing, especially for jobs in large Algarve hotel groups.

Fourteen monthly payments

In Portugal annual pay is spread over fourteen payments, including a holiday bonus and a Christmas bonus. For a seasonal contract, these bonuses are due pro rata to the time worked and must appear on the final payslip.

Contract, hours and housing

The fixed-term contract must be written and state workplace, duties, hours, duration and pay. The normal working week is 40 hours. Accommodation is not mandatory, except for visa applicants, who must prove where they will live.

Steps to land a season in Portugal

Portuguese employers often recruit late for summer, typically between March and May. A structured approach helps candidates secure the most sought-after jobs that include accommodation.

1. Choose the region and sector according to the seasonal calendar.
2. Prepare a CV in Portuguese or English with languages and availability.
3. Search IEFP vacancies and contact a EURES adviser.
4. Apply directly to Algarve hotels, Odemira farms or Douro wine estates.
5. Obtain a NIF and, once hired, a NISS from social security.
6. Confirm in writing pay, hours, housing and pro rata bonuses.
7. Non-EU nationals should file the visa application at least fifteen days before the contract starts.

Mistakes and scams to avoid

Intensive farming in Odemira and the Alentejo has seen cases of exploitation and substandard housing. A few simple reflexes greatly reduce the risks for seasonal workers.

• Paying an intermediary for a contract or visa.
• Working without a written contract or social security registration.
• Accepting overcrowded housing charged against wages.
• Forgetting to claim pro rata holiday and Christmas bonuses.
• Entering as a tourist hoping to regularise your status later.

Costs, pay and documents

The following table summarises useful benchmarks for a season in Portugal, especially for non-EU nationals who must prove funds and accommodation when applying for a visa.

Non-EU applicants must also budget for the visa fee, apostilled criminal record certificate, certified translations, travel insurance and the return ticket, which can represent several hundred euros before the first payslip arrives.

Cost of living in season

Rents in the Algarve and Lisbon rise sharply in summer. A job with accommodation included often makes the difference between a profitable season and a loss, especially on pay close to the national minimum.

Frequently asked questions

The following answers address the questions most often asked by Europeans and international candidates considering a tourism or farm season in Portugal.

Can I work in the Algarve without Portuguese?

Yes, many hotels and bars with an international clientele accept English at first. Portuguese is still valued by employers and needed for paperwork such as obtaining a NIF or dealing with social security.

How much does a seasonal worker earn in Portugal?

At least 920 euros gross per month in 2026 for full-time work, plus pro rata holiday and Christmas bonuses. Tourism and skilled roles often pay more, with tips and overtime.

Do Brazilians have easier access?

Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries benefit from certain specific procedures under the CPLP mobility agreement. Check current conditions with the Portuguese consulate, as they change regularly.

Which sectors qualify for the seasonal visa?

Agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing; accommodation and catering; food, beverage and tobacco industries; wholesale and retail trade; construction; and land transport, as listed by the government after consulting social partners.