
Work and travel in
Portugal

How to
apply
Who can apply?
To work in Portugal through the Working Holiday Portugal, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen
- be 18-35 years old (inclusive), and
- have a valid Canadian passport
Other requirements may apply, check Portugal’s website for more details.
What type of work visa do I need?
You need to apply for a multi-entry temporary stay visa.
Do I need a formal job or internship offer?
No, you don’t need a job offer (pre-arranged contract of employment) or a formal internship offer.
How long can I stay and work?
You can stay and work in Portugal for up to 12 months.
You can participate in Portugal’s Working Holiday Program 2 times. There must be a break between your participations.

Start your
Adventure
About Portugal
Found on the southwest coast of Europe, Portugal includes the group of islands that make up the Madeira and Azores archipelagos. Its location gives Portugal a mild climate with 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and 850 kilometers of beautiful beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. This makes Portugal ideal for many water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Known for being an open, friendly and multicultural country, Portugal has a great sense of hospitality. Cities are diverse and vibrant with lots to offer in terms of culture, music, arts, film, and food.
Visit some of the national parks, prehistoric art sites, pre-roman and roman temples, castles, palaces and historical villages. Attend music, performing arts and film festivals that happen throughout the year.
Portugal is a leader in a wide range of sectors, from renewable energies to information and communication technologies. This is inspiring global brands to invest in the country and buy innovative products and solutions from leading Portuguese companies. Many world leading companies are choosing Portugal to invest in because of their great infrastructure, advanced communication systems and economic environment.
Portugal is home to companies that develop some of the finest technologies impacting our world but also goes beyond innovation as some of the best traditional products, like wines and olive oils, come from Portugal.
Plan your trip
The best way to make sure your trip is the experience of a lifetime is to plan. Review our travel checklist to find out what you should know or do before travelling to and working in a foreign country.
Before you leave, remember to register as a Canadian abroad to receive notifications in case of an emergency while you are abroad or of a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
Recognized organizations
Need help planning? One of IEC’s recognized organizations might be able to help you find a job, transportation, and provide travel advice. Most recognized organizations charge a fee for their services.
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