At a Glance: Teaching English in Portugal
35,119 Certified Grads since 1992


At a Glance: Teaching English in Portugal

Once considered Europe's unsung destination, Portugal is now said to be one of the continent's coolest countries — young, fun, energetic, and vibrant. With a centuries-long history, breathtaking landscapes, and an emerging hospitality sector full of high-end accommodations, restaurants and stores, Portugal is becoming a travel hot-spot. Must-sees include its bucolic vineyards, as well as the end-of-the-world cliffs, wild dune-covered beaches, protected coves, and long, sandy islands of the Portugal shoreline.


Monthly Salary*:
700 - 1,700 EUR
1,010 - 2,460 CAD (May 22, 2023)
Private Tutoring per Hour:
15 - 25 EUR
21.75 - 36.25 CAD (May 22, 2023)
Income Tax††: 23 - 35%
Ability to Save per year: 500 - 2,900 CAD
Airfare: Reimbursement (full or partial) sometimes given
Accommodations: Sometimes included or allowance may be given
Health Care: Usually included
Holidays: Sometimes paid
Teaching Hours per Week: 20 - 25
Typical Contract Length: One year or less
Typical Start Month(s): September/October, January, or year round
Application Timeline: 1 - 6 months
Work Visa: EU citizenship preferred
Minimum Requirements: High School Diploma; Bachelor's Degree preferred and Oxford Seminars TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
Additional Notes: Some schools prefer to offer freelance work on recibos verdes (green receipts) for temporary workers, whereby teachers must pay their own taxes and contributions; candidates are encouraged to apply in person

Other Western Europe Countries:

Austria ~ Belgium ~ Finland ~ France ~ Germany ~ Greece ~ Italy ~ Portugal ~ Spain ~ Sweden ~ Switzerland ~ The Netherlands

Portugal is the western-most country in Europe and typically features the warmest temperatures on the continent because of the vast amount of shoreline. Like many European nations, teaching ESL in Portugal can be difficult to achieve for ESL teachers planning to work without EU citizenship.

The combination of Oxford Seminars' internationally recognized TESOL/TESL Certification and our Job Placement Service included with the course makes teaching English abroad a reality. Learn more about teaching English in Portugal and other opportunities teaching English abroad by calling 1-888-227-6755, or by attending an upcoming free Information Session in your area.

* Wages vary depending on the economy of the country.
Exchange rates are subject to change. Check www.xe.com for current rates.
†† You will be paying income tax while teaching abroad, and the tax rate can change depending on how much money you earn.

Oxford Seminars makes every effort to keep our information as up-to-date and accurate as possible. However, individual teaching positions and experiences may vary with job market conditions. Specific information listed cannot be guaranteed to be applicable when you are seeking employment teaching ESL in a specific country.

Note that certain positions require additional qualifications and credentials that are not negotiable due to specific country legislation.