What to expect as a teacher in Portugal
Teaching in Portugal will expose you to a deep culture and way of life where children are valued and family is paramount. Portuguese schools are usually well established and of a high educational standard. A housing and flight allowance is not frequently provided, but the cost of housing can be lower than other countries such as Italy. Teachers can expect to pay tax on their salaries, but salaries will often include 2 bonus months (13th and 14 months) paid at Christmas and at the end of the school year in June which should be included in all financial calculations. As in other warm, Western European countries, the culture and lifestyle is the most compelling reason teachers choose to teach in Portugal and they fall in love with this warm, enticing, proud and welcoming country.
Some schools in Portugal are able to sponsor a work permit for non-EU teachers, but most prefer teachers who are already resident in and familiar with the lifestyle and expectations of Europe so that the risk of culture shock is lower, and will not usually select teachers who need to fly in from other continents.
About Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Language: Portuguese
Population: 10.7 million
Portugal is fast becoming one of Europe's most popular destinations, increasingly well known for its golden sand beaches, stunning coastlines and old fashioned charm.
Lisbon and Porto are Portugal's most well known cities, and with good reason.
The capital, Lisbon, has natural beauty with its cobbled streets, trams, beaches as well as its divine food and a very fascinating history. There are endless choices for beaches, with Lisbon also claiming Europe's largest beach right on its doorstep - Costa de Caparica beach which is thirty kilometres long. Oporto is the Port wine capital of the world.
There are so many different slices to Portugal's pie that you simply won't be able to do it all in one trip. You will find amazing history, from old Roman forts to tombs, museums, art galleries, old dinosaur trails, incredible nightlife, golden beaches and national parks.
Climate
Due to the geography of Portugal, the climate does vary. In the summer, most of Portugal enjoys temperatures in the 30's, but temperatures have been known to reach around 45C in places such as Alentejo and the Algarve. Snow does fall in the winter in the centre of Portugal and everywhere else you will usually experience winters in single digits.
Activities
The list is endless. The outdoors are a big drawcard for Portugal with mountain biking, hiking, walking tracks and cycling. Football is very big in Portugal, so it is worth going to a game just for the atmosphere alone. If you feel like relaxing, Portugal's 800 miles of coastline offers plenty of options for beaches, amazing viewpoints and even a vineyard or two for some wine tastings.
Eating and drinking
Portugal is well known for its seafood and great local wines. You will regularly find seafood on the menu.
Transport
Buses are Portugal's most effective and reliable form of transport, followed by the trains which have good connections between the major cities such as Oporto, Lisbon and Coimbra.
Currency
Portugal's currency is the Euro.