Finding work and an income in Portugal

You may be buying a property in Portugal to enjoy your retirement, or just for holidays, but if you are planning to move here full time and are looking for ways to generate an income, we can provide some top tips from other expats who have done the same.

Here are our top five suggestions for ways to generate an income in Portugal, particularly useful in areas that are popular with expats.

1. Beauty treatments

Having an English speaking beautician or hairdresser is a popular choice with UK expats in Portugal. It can be nerve wracking for those without much language skill to ask for and get what they really want at the local Portuguese beauty salon. If you market yourself and your business well locally, across the expat community, you could find you do really well in this line of work, as there is always demand.

It can be nerve wracking for those without much language skill to ask for and get what they really want at the local Portuguese beauty salon.

2.Information Technology, web design and Internet services

Another area of work often required by British expats is IT services or web design, perhaps for one of the other types of business included in these tips. The hourly or daily rates you can charge will be lower than what you may be used to charging in the UK, however, so you will need to factor this into your plans.

3. Hospitality

The busier tourist resorts often seek extra help during the peak summer months, whether as waiting, bar or hotel staff. The seasonal nature of this kind of work needs to be taken into consideration, though, as it is unlikely to last into the quieter periods.

4. Managing properties

Property Management can mean a number of different things, but, practically, the most common work available in this area is likely to be cleaning holiday lets, maintaining their gardens and pools, and potentially being employed to meet and greet renters, or as a key holder, if you work for a specific property management agency. This is a competitive job market, however, as there are only a certain number of properties that need to be managed and a small number of companies who offer these services. Again, it is largely seasonal work.

5. Working online

Freelancer websites like Elance offer work for writers and those who are experienced in the field of public relations, for example, and can write either editorial, marketing or PR copy.

However you choose to make money to support your lifestyle in Portugal, make the most of your cash by using a currency specialist to transfer money between Portugal and any other countries

You may know people and businesses in the UK who still require your services that can be offered remotely, such as writing, graphic design, and other work that can be conducted over the Internet.

However you choose to make money to support your lifestyle in Portugal, make the most of your cash by using a currency specialist to transfer money between Portugal and any other countries. It’s worth setting up a regular payments plan for any regularly paid work, salary or pension payments that need to be paid internationally, as well as any bills for the ongoing maintenance of your Portuguese property. You can avoid losing money with each payment from fluctuating currency rates and also save up to 4% on the exchange rate each time you need to make a payment. To find out how they can help you, register for a free, no obligation account today.

For more tips on finding work and making payments in Portugal, download your free copy of the Portugal Buying Guide.