One of the most important parts of growing your business in Portugal is the process of recruiting and hiring a global workforce that can help your company succeed in a new market. Whether you hire employees in Portugal yourself or leverage an EOR, companies must stay compliant by following the country’s employment laws.
Recruiting in Portugal
Utilizing the right recruitment channels can make all the difference when building an international team. Many companies source talent through networking events and personal recommendations. This method of recruiting can be challenging if your company doesn’t have an established presence in Portugal yet. Your company might benefit from partnering with a global employment expert that already has in-country connections.
Online platforms are also growing in popularity as channels for recruitment in Portugal. Your company might have success reaching out to candidates on social media or posting open positions on job boards.
Laws against discrimination in Portugal
Employers also need to be mindful of Portugal’s non-discrimination laws to ensure compliance throughout the hiring process. The law expressly prohibits discrimination based on the following categories:
- Gender identity
- Marital status or family situation
- Age
- Sex
- Parentage
- Race, nationality, or ethnic origin
- Sexual orientation
- Economic situation
- Origin or social conditions
- Political or ideological beliefs
- Genetic heritage
- Religion
- Disability
- Reduced work capacity
- Affiliation with a trade union
As you can see, you’ll need to be mindful when having conversations with potential hires. Avoid asking questions about any of these protected characteristics.
How to hire employees in Portugal
To hire employees in Portugal, start by drafting a written employment contract that details the terms and conditions of employment, including compensation, benefits, place of work, working hours, job duties, holidays, and termination requirements. Always put any compensation or benefits amounts in euros rather than another currency.
Employees in Portugal may be covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which can outline different employment terms. Check your specific industry for any CBAs before drafting an employment contract as it must meet or exceed the expectations of the CBA.
Portugal employment laws
Portugal is known for its strong employee protections. For example, Portugal’s Constitution forbids at-will employment and operates under the assumption that an employment relationship is long-term. Employers will need to stay abreast of the latest regulations in the Labor Code, parenthood protections, work-related accidents and sickness laws, and regulations concerning health and safety at work.
Before hiring employees in Portugal, make sure to review the standard workday. Portugal employees usually work 8-hour days for 40 hours a week. Anything beyond that is considered overtime.
Onboarding in Portugal
No standard practice is in place for onboarding employees. Instead, you can tailor the process to your company, industry, or target country.
Employers are required to provide certain information to employees; therefore, it is common practice to go over this contract with the employee during their first day or week as a reminder of the terms you agreed on. Other onboarding tips include:
- Drafting an employee code of conduct
- Putting together any necessary training courses
- Onboarding multiple employees at the same time for a smoother process
- Introducing new hires to key members of the team
Grow globally with G-P.
G-P never forgets that behind every hire is a human being. That’s why we’ve backed our fully customizable suite of global employment products with our robust team of HR and legal experts, so we can remain at your side, ready to support you as you build your global teams. With the #1 Global Growth Platform™, you have the recruitment tools and services you need to find your perfect full-time or contract match.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recruit, hire, and onboard anyone, anywhere.