Working as a Software Engineer in Portugal: What you can expect

Portugal has a Western European culture and a workforce that’s becoming more and more international due to many factors. Some of them you might already know, but here you might find many more.

Yes, most people are really friendly. Since its inception (and even before) and throughout its history the country was at the cross-roads and influenced by numerous different civilizations from the Celts, Visigoths, Romans and Islamic before finally being ruled by European Catholic tradition, then the country itself spearheaded one of the early great globalization movements with its seafaring exploits across the globe.

More recently, Portugal has been a country of emigrants, so since their early days, the Portuguese people learnt to be open and welcoming – as they wish others would be with them as well. All of that somehow created a multicultural mindset where it is not hard for most people to accept others as they are. People from different backgrounds, continents or religions can be side by side, accepting each other’s differences.

In fact, Portugal improved its integration policies in all dimensions of equality of rights, opportunities and security for immigrants, according to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) 2020. It might explain why Portugal is such a safe country. The Portuguese in general are open, affable, easy-going and caring.

Expect the same to happen within your work team. At e.near we are very proud to be family – we always support each other. We want everyone to feel like they truly make part of a bigger thing, the e.near Family.

And did you know that Portugal is one of the countries with higher English proficiency? Most people have above-average English skills and it really helps when it comes to connecting with people from other nationalities.

The hiring process can be very different depending on the company you’re applying to. However, the tech industry demands rapid and effective hiring processes. At e.near, we’re proud to have a straightforward hiring process, aligned with current best practices.

“I received support from e.near to get all the necessary documents [for the VISA application]. For example a contract proposal, a health insurance proof, etc.” Federico Rossi

Our hiring process is simple:

1. firstly, we analyse your CV. If it stands out for any of the positions we’re in need of, we’ll get in touch with you to schedule the first interview with our IT recruiters.
2. The next step is the technical interview, with one or more of our team leaders. This assures us that when we put you in contact with our client (we’re a nearshore software development company, remember?) we believe in a great matchup between you, our client and ourselves.
3. So, after our part, you’re interviewed by the client, which will meet you and check the relevant requirements for the job. Usually, among other aspects, the requirements include a set of technical skills, communication skills and, sometimes, industry-specific knowledge. It is common to be required a live coding session or to request you to do a short assignment.
   We always have various open positions, take a look at what’s available now: careers
4. If you fit the position, you get the job. So it’s time to think about Visas. If you’re an EU/EEA/Switzerland citizen, you need a Residence certificate to work in Portugal for more than 6 months. If you’re a non-EU citizen, you’ll need a work permit.

“I worked remotely from Argentina for around 4 months. Given that my visa process took around 2 months in total, my relocation to Lisbon was mainly delayed because of the covid situation” Federico Rossi

Scared by the permits, visas and all bureaucracies? Don’t be. At least if you’re applying to work with e.near. We have a dedicated team that helps all our candidates through this process. We help you get the permits, the flights, the house & even the friends, at least amongst the e.near Family! Easy, right?

Yes, to be hired as a software engineer you need to know how to do stuff. In most cases, you don’t need a degree to be admitted as a software developer, at least when you’re working with e.near. However, some of our clients are strict on that matter, so it depends.

We don’t feel like degrees are “the thing” since, as you’ve noticed, we have a straightforward hiring process where candidates have to prove themselves worthy – with or without degrees. So we look at all CVs and once we have the list of candidates, our clients have their own process where candidates have to complete various tasks. That’s why we don’t usually choose people based on their diplomas but rather on their skills. It makes our software development workforce more diverse, more flexible & more motivated for continuous improvement. If you have the skills, you truly have a chance.

But… You also need to have a spark. Depending on the position you’re applying for, soft skills might be critical. According to Sara Lopes, part of our HR team, the importance of soft skills “might depend on the tech language and position we’re looking for”. But especially it depends on clients’ needs and also the professional’s position within the team. However, Maria João Barata, one of our IT recruiters is very clear on the subject “Both are important, soft and hard skills. If we need to hire someone and soft skills such as self-observation, persistence, resiliency and communication are fundamental, it doesn’t matter if the candidate is a tech guru”.
This means that at least in Portugal – and maybe especially for e.near – there are a few soft skills you should have as a software developer. Communication skills (especially in the English language), willingness to help & teach others, resiliency, and others. But worry not. If you have a good base and you’re willing to develop and improve them, you’re probably up for it.

What about what you can really get from moving abroad? Like, will the relationship with your employee be stable? Won’t you be fired & left alone after a couple of weeks? 

That’s not how things work in Portugal. And certainly not how things are done at e.near. Employees have duties, but lots of amazing rights as well. In Portugal, the employee-employer relationship is much more equal than in many other countries. 

But let’s get to the point. Any foreigner legally working in Portugal has the exact same rights as any Portuguese worker. Now take a look at what is the standard in Portugal:

• Paid parental leave: As a new mother, you have 33 weeks of paid leave. That’s more than 7 months! As a new father, you have 20 working days of paid leave, plus a number of days of optional use. If you adopt a child under 15, you have very similar benefits too. 
• Paid training: If you have a contract, you have at least 40 hours of training per year. 
• Holidays: You have an annual vacation period of 22 business days. Depending on the company you’re working for, you can take them on a row or a few days a few times a year.
• Public Holidays: In Portugal, we have 12 obligatory public holidays. And we know how to enjoy them properly. 
• Christmas Bonus: Do you like to spend money on Christmas gifts? No worry. In Portugal, you’ll earn a full salary as a Christmas bonus. That’s 13 salaries per year, yes.
• Vacation Salary: And do you like to plan your holidays? Well, you have another extra salary just to leave work and go out on vacation. Yes, that’s in fact 14 salaries per year. 
• Overtime pay: The working week in Portugal is 40 hours. If you work overtime your hourly rate increases 25% in the first hour or fraction and 37,5% in the following. However, the application of these values might depend on your contractual arrangements regarding timetables.

What do you think about it? Tempting, right?

Digital transformation of public services and companies, both public and private large or small has been one of the country’s main goals for the past few years. And we’re nailing it. Not only did the country advance a lot in terms of technology but it also managed to grow its IT sector into the exciting point where it now stands – having some of the world’s largest companies such as Google, Cisco, Uber or Mercedes-Benz opening tech hubs in Portugal.
It doesn’t stop there. As a result of the vibrant tech startups ecosystem in Portugal, we now host the Web Summit, and created 4 Unicorn startups, many Portuguese Universities having strong partnerships with internationally renowned institutions such as MIT, lots of technology entrepreneurs, funds for new innovative ideas and much more. And not everything is happening in the Capital. Portugal has various exciting incubators in diverse locations such as Braga (Startup Braga), Coimbra (IPN) or Porto (UPTEC).
What led us there? Well, having digitalisation as a true priority & some brave entrepreneurs, for sure. Portugal has now about 90% of its territory covered by FTTP (Fiber to the home) making us European leaders on that matter.

Besides that, Portugal is now the “5th European country with the highest number of doctorates in science and technology per 1000 inhabitants between the 20 and 29 age group”. This is quite impressive and really shows how this country is investing in its future.
Talking about the future, there’s plenty of demand for qualified tech. professionals, so even if you’re a junior professional we have opportunities for you too. Although a big part of tech positions need senior profiles, new talent with less experience but with “that spark” is highly valued as well.

You don’t want to relocate to sit in a boring, stagnated career as a software developer. Fortunately, that’s not what you’re getting in Portugal. Here, you’ll be given room for growth. Most tech companies will offer you some form of performance assessments and career planning. This means you’ll be able not only to grow your career but to do it wisely.
If you apply to work with e.near, know that we provide you with access to great international projects, the support of a great HR team and much more. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to attend various amazing tech & innovation events. For instance, it won’t be hard for you to attend big tech events such as the Web Summit, as you see. It has happened in Lisbon since 2016, when it moved from Dubai to the Portuguese Capital.

the e.near Family has been there too

In Portugal, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet & work with highly skilled professionals from the whole world. And if you’re into networking, know that you’ll find many technology meetup groups in Lisbon & in other Portuguese cities. An example is, for instance, the Portugal Java User Group (jug), created in 2007. It has its own meetups in different Portuguese cities and towns. It means that, wherever you are, meetup groups like this one are a great way to socialise, debate and learn more with other professionals. 

And let’s not forget about the mandatory minimum of 40 hours of training per year. Can you imagine? Most companies are very sensitive to the employees’ needs so you’ll probably be getting the training you really wish for to improve your work.   

Great food (that alone deserves a whole article) and enjoying life is part of the deal too, of course. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be talking about Portugal. In this small but amazing country, you’ll find lots of sun & warm weather for about 9 months a year. Lisbon, the capital city, has an average of 263 rain-free days. And did we mention the 2 830 km of coastline?
Yes, Portugal is like an “European California”. You have the IT companies settling by the coast, the exciting startup scenario, the Universities & young talent and the healthy lifestyle. All this with a cost of living that would surprise you, even if you’re living in the capital city.

You can get a full meal in an economic restaurant for less than 8,00€, you pay an average of 0,70€ per coffee and a small beer will cost you about 1,50€. As a software developer, you can expect an income way above the minimum wage (it is now 665€). House rents (especially in the centre of Lisbon) can get quite expensive. However, the renting prices in other neighbourhoods of Lisbon and in other Portuguese cities are much more affordable. That means you’ll be comfortable with paying all your expenses and still having enough to have lots of fun.