Portugal

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Portugal. Education A bachelor’s degree is preferred by most schools in Portugal, but it is not always required. A bachelor’s degree is required, however, if you plan to teach with an international school or the Fulbright U.S. Teaching Assistantship program. Citizenship Citizenship requirements for teaching positions in Portugal vary depending on your visa status and school or program type. Most private language schools and international schools will only hire foreign teachers who are citizens of Portugal, the European Union, or the European Economic Area, or who are already able to work legally in Portugal on a visa for study purposes or a youth mobility visa (this visa type is available to teachers from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, and the United States.) Citizens of the United States also have the opportunity to teach in Portugal via the Fulbright U.S. Teaching Assistantship program. Long-term employment opportunities for teachers of any other citizenship will be limited in Portugal, though summer camps and short-term p…

There is considerable demand for English language instruction in Portugal, but if you don’t have EU or EEA citizenship, possess Portuguese residency, or already have working privileges in the country (like those allotted by a student visa,) it can be tough to break into the teaching market. Those able to work legally in Portugal will be able to find positions instructing learners of all ages, from children to teens and adults. Many Portuguese seek out English language learning opportunities for academic purposes, to advance their career goals, and to communicate with English-speaking business partners. English teaching jobs can be found throughout Portugal, though more densely-populated cities like Lisbon and Porto hold the most opportunity and biggest markets for prospective TEFL teachers. The majority of foreign English instructors in Portugal teach at private language schools and summer camps, and/or work online or in person as private tutors. Qualified English instructors can apply to teach English with the government-run Fulbright program, and if you possess a teaching license or master’s degree, you will also be able to secure positions in international schools. Each of these job types comes with their own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages,…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Portugal, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Portugal Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the popular, energetic surf city of Figueira da Foz? Or maybe you crave a picturesque, romantic backdrop in a city like Viseu? Do you value having greater access to specific types of community …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Portugal and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Portugal is 1,100 EUR to 1,500 EUR per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Portugal can be a part-time or full-time gig (if you’re living in Portugal on a visa for study purposes, however, it must be a part-time gig – legally, you’re not allowed to work over 20 hours per week). Of course, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 20-25 ho…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork, but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline four potential visa routes for foreign English teachers in Portugal before diving into a deeper look at the required documents for a student visa there, which is one of the most common visa options for non-EU foreign teachers planning a move to Portugal. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Portuguese embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Residence Permit What is it? A temporary stay visa (for stays of under one year) or residency visa (for stays longer than one year) for study purposes allows you to enter Portugal in order to pursue studies at a registered Portuguese educational institute. You can study the Portuguese language, complete a study abroad program, or study for an actual degree on this visa. Portuguese law allows you to legally work up to 20 hours per week on these visa types, though you must be enrolled in at least 20 hours of class time per week in order to qualify. In certain circumstances, this visa can also be issued for research, professional internships, or voluntary work purposes. How do you get one? In order to obtain a student visa, you must be accepted into a program or c…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position . If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. For the most part in Portugal, you will only receive health insurance benefits if you are employed by a school legally on a visa for work purposes. If you decide to work in Portugal on a visa for study purposes, you will be responsible for providing proof of health insurance that will cover you for the duration of your intended period of stay in the country. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out this article about insurance options abroad, and consult the ITA Portugal Alumni Group for insight on h…

You have finally made it to the end of the Portugal section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Portugal. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too.) It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Portugal to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use the below timelines to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that the peak hiring months for English teaching jobs in Portugal are September and late January, whereas August and late December to mid-January are traditionally slow hiring times. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow these timelines as closely as possible . Teachers planning to apply to the Fulbright program should consult the program’s website for an official timeline and application deadlines. Finding a job on the ground: For teachers on a visa for study purposes 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research List out your preferences and priorities. Read about alumni experiences . Read through ITA’s resources, attend Student Affairs webinar . Network with ITA alumni and watch alumni videos . Read about Portugal and Portuguese culture, etc. Ensure your passport will be valid at least three months past your anticipated return date…

I chose to teach English in Portugal in the city of Aveiro. Of all the schools I contacted, I felt most welcome and appreciated in Aveiro. The director of the school invited me to meet in person, bought me lunch, and talked to me informally, like a friend. Many of my other interviews were via Skype and felt much more clinical. The people in Portugal were just wonderful to be around. David W. Aveiro, Portugal You should be aware right now that restaurants close after 3pm and don't open back up until around 7:30 or 8pm for dinner. You can see people on a weeknight going out to eat dinner at 10pm, and they will still punctuate dinner with an espresso at the end and still get up for work by 8am. On the weekends, they will dine at 10, go somewhere else for coffee at 11, and then go out drinking around 12 or 1am until 6 or 7am, where they go back to a coffee shop that has now REOPENED and will get a pastry and a coffee before going home to go to bed. Wow. There is no expat community here in Braga, and I'm so happy about that. The nearest one is an hour train ride away from me, but I've been fully immersing myself in the culture and the people. My two best friends are Portuguese. If I want to socialize, I find them. I'm learning the culture and language a lot faster that way. If you want to find Americans, stay in America. That's my personal opinion. Keith G. Braga, Portugal