Portugal tapping skilled South Africans for these jobs – paying up to R1.7 million

Portugal is currently facing a pressing shortage of skilled labour in key sectors like construction, healthcare, IT, and engineering and is offering attractive salaries of up to R1.7 million to fill the gap.

This shortage is largely due to an ageing workforce and the emigration of younger professionals in search of better opportunities abroad.

As the demand for skilled workers grows, the country is increasingly relying on foreign talent to fill these critical roles.

For years, the construction sector has struggled with a lack of skilled labour, and this gap continues to widen as infrastructure projects and real estate developments expand.

Similarly, the healthcare system is under pressure due to a shortage of qualified doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, a situation exacerbated by the increasing needs of an ageing population.

The IT and engineering sectors, which are essential for Portugal’s digital transformation and infrastructure modernisation, also suffer from a deficit of highly skilled workers.

In response to these challenges, Portugal has implemented measures to attract foreign talent, making it easier for skilled professionals to move to the country and contribute to its economy.

One of the most significant steps has been the introduction of streamlined visa processes for in-demand professions.

These changes make it more accessible for foreign workers, including South Africans, to apply for work visas and integrate into Portugal’s labour market.

Portugal has prioritised certain professions due to a shortage of specific skills, making it simpler for people with expertise in these areas to obtain employment visas.

For instance, the Portuguese government has identified software developers, engineers, healthcare professionals, and construction workers as top priorities for recruitment.

These sectors offer numerous opportunities for foreign workers to fill the gaps left by a shrinking domestic labour force.

This strategy is particularly appealing to professionals from countries like South Africa, where individuals with high-demand skills may be seeking opportunities abroad.

Portugal offers not only a stable economic environment but also a high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for skilled workers.

Foreign professionals, especially those skilled in software development, cybersecurity, and data science, are highly sought after.

This influx of skilled workers is crucial for Portugal’s ability to compete on the global stage, particularly as the digital economy continues to expand.

Healthcare is another critical area in which Portugal needs support.

The country faces a shortage of medical professionals, particularly in rural areas.

To address this, Portugal has opened its doors to foreign healthcare workers, offering them the chance to work in its hospitals and clinics.

The ageing population has driven up the demand for medical services, and foreign professionals are becoming essential to sustaining the country’s healthcare system.

Eurostat statistics show that Portugal has one of the highest percentages of elderly people among the EU countries.

The share of people aged 65 and above in Portugal increased by 23.7% in 2022 to 24% in 2023.

Construction also represents a significant challenge.

With large-scale infrastructure projects underway, there is a growing need for skilled workers in this sector.

The Portuguese construction industry is experiencing a revival, and the demand for foreign talent to meet the needs of these projects is high.

These efforts highlight the importance of global talent in shaping the future of Portugal’s economy.

Some of the top-paid in-demand jobs include Cybersecurity specialists, software engineers, and doctors.

The jobs range from R890,000 to R1.45 million per annum or R74,200 to R120,900 per month.

The table below lists twelve jobs listed on Portugal’s critical skills list and what they pay per annum, according to the Economic Research Institute (ERI).

Read: South Africans and their businesses are flocking to this tiny Mediterranean island