Teach English in Portugal: A Guide for Teachers

The relaxed lifestyle and low cost of living are huge attractions to many ESL teachers who decide to teach English in Portugal, a country that has shot up in every traveler’s list over the past decade.

Currently, English is a mandatory subject in schools. Portuguese students begin taking lessons from a young age, contributing to the overall impressive language skills of the population.

J.K. Rowling famously spent some time teaching English in Portugal before she became an international best-selling author. Let’s dive into what factors took her there, and why this Mediterranean country could be a great fit for an ESL teacher looking to embark on an adventure abroad.

Is there a demand for English teachers in Portugal?

While the demand is not as significant as in Spain or France, teaching in Portugal offers a decent job market – especially if you’re an EU citizen. Given the increasing number of tourists, Portugal is seeing a higher demand for English teachers. The Portuguese economy relies heavily on its stream of visitors, so English teachers are needed to train anyone who wants access to jobs in the tourism sector.

While you are more likely to find people wanting to communicate in English in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto, the Algarve region in the southern part of the country is also growing, expanding the range of locations for TEFL jobs in Portugal.

What qualifications do I need to teach English in Portugal?

TEFL certification

Having a high-quality TEFL certificate from a reputable provider in your portfolio will certainly unlock teaching jobs in Portugal and elsewhere. Bridge offers a fully online, self-paced 120-hour Master Certificate for teachers who want to earn a TEFL certificate, as well as a 150-hour International Diploma in English Language Teaching (IDELTOnline™), which also counts towards an MA TESOL degree.

Read more about how a master’s in TESOL prepares you for leadership roles in education.

Degrees

Many employers offering teaching jobs in Portugal to foreigners prefer candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. In some cases, a degree in English, education, or a related subject may be preferred. This depends on the position.

Prior teaching experience

At least a year of experience will be required for many jobs, and the best ones will also ask for knowledge of basic Portuguese. If you don’t have teaching experience, a face-to-face or online TEFL certification with practical teaching components can be valuable.

For example, Bridge offers a 20-hour Guided Teaching Practicum, which consists of blended online and hands-on training designed to provide valuable teaching practice for TEFL trainees or current teachers.

You’ll first establish an onsite mentor, then complete 10 hours of tutor-guided online preparation, 5 hours of EFL teacher observation, and 5 hours of hands-on teaching practice in a real EFL classroom. You can complete this Guided Teaching Practicum Certification from anywhere in the world, working at your own pace during the 3-month course timeframe.

Visas

As of late 2022, Portugal has a digital nomad visa, which makes it easier for teachers wanting to teach online. To obtain one, you should be able to prove that you have the means to support yourself financially without relying on a Portuguese employer. This visa allows for a stay of up to one year, and it can be renewed.

However, if you want to work for a Portuguese teaching job at a language academy or an international, private, or public school, you will most likely need a work visa. School years run from September to June, and it would be wise to contact these institutions to learn about their hiring policies personally.

If you’re interested in taking any course that’s longer than three months in Portugal, you are eligible for a student visa. While you’re there, you can then teach private classes to other students, or their family members, or branch out and find corporate clients.

Keep in mind that if you’re from the European Union, you can teach in Portugal without any sort of visa and stay for as long as you want.

How much can you earn teaching English in Portugal?

On average, salaries for English teaching jobs in Portugal can range from €800-€2000 ($925-$2315) per month, depending on experience, with language schools typically offering lower salaries compared to international schools or university positions.

Private tutors typically charge between €15-€25 ($17-$28) for a one-hour class.

Portugal offers the lowest cost of living in Western Europe. This means that if you decide to teach English in Lisbon, you will spend less on rent, groceries, entertainment, and transport compared to other neighboring countries.

Learn more about setting your rates as an independent English teacher.

What types of English teaching jobs are available in Portugal?

Given the ease that comes along with the digital nomad visa, many English language professionals are choosing to teach online while taking advantage of Portugal’s low cost of living.

There are also various language academies. In fact, the most common type of teaching contract in Portugal comes from private institutions. These offer lessons outside of regular school or work hours to help learners achieve their language goals in English.

Feeling stressed? Find ways to overcome TEFL job search fatigue.

What is it really like to teach English in Portugal?

Former Bridge Program and Job Advisor, Kevin, spent a few months in Portugal as a volunteer English teacher. These are his thoughts:

“Teaching English and working with students was a very rewarding experience, but I also made the most of my time outside of the classroom. I lived near the city of Porto, so I regularly visited it on the weekends. Porto is a lively city with no shortage of things to see or do. I also visited other Portuguese cities like Lisbon, Coimbra, Braga, and Guimarães. Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and I am grateful to have spent my time abroad there.”

Ready to teach English in Portugal? Gain the qualifications you need to teach English worldwide with a Bridge Professional TEFL/TESOL Certificate.