Famous for its architecture, seafood and beaches, Portugal offers a great lifestyle for prospective TEFL teachers. Despite this, it’s less well known as a TEFL destination than neighbouring Spain. But how much money can you earn there?
Typically, TEFL teachers in Portugal earn €700-1,500 ($770-1,650) per month from the most common source of income, language academies. International schools pay English teachers anywhere from €1,500 to €3,000 or more. ($1,650-3,300). Private classes typically earn €15-25 ($17-27) an hour.
These wages are normal for this part of the world, with nearby countries Spain and Italy in the same pay bracket. The job market in Portugal is slightly less competitive than elsewhere, though. This article breaks down how much you can earn in different TEFL jobs, and what you need to get employed.
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Options and earnings for TEFL teachers in Portugal
The number one source of income for TEFL teachers in Portugal is the variety of language academies across the nation. Lots of teachers supplement this income with private classes.
International schools are another viable option for those with a teaching degree and lots of experience.
| Earnings Source | Per Hour (€) | Hours Per Week | Per Month (€) | Annual Estimate (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Schools | 11-21 | 30-40 | 1,500-3,000+ | 18K-36K |
| Language Academies | 7-15 | 20-30 | 700-1,500 | 8.4K-18K |
| Private Classes | 15-25 | 20 | 1,200-2,000 | 14.4K-24K |
Portugal isn’t a country where you can make a lot of money through TEFL. Most of the time, you’ll earn enough to break even, and maybe save a small portion of your salary.
While living costs aren’t huge, they’ll eat up most of your wages. When living frugally out of the major cities, you can get by on as little as €600 ($660) a month, while in Lisbon and Porto, with a comfortable lifestyle, your expenses could exceed €1,500 ($1,650).
In terms of getting visas, if you’re an EU member, you’ve got no problem. You’re allowed to live and work in the country with few restrictions, but if you hail from elsewhere, you have to go through the visa application process, which can take a while.
Also, if you’re from Australia or Canada, you can get a working holiday visa to spend a year in Portugal. During this time you can work for 6 months.
Like most European countries, the school calendar in Portugal runs from September to June with Christmas and Easter holidays as well as a long summer break. The best time to apply for private/public school jobs is from April to July. The school day starts at 8.30-9.00 a.m. and finishes at 3.30-4.30 p.m.
How much do TEFL teachers make in language academies in Portugal?
Chances are, if you’re a TEFL teacher looking to work in Portugal, you’ll need to get a job in a language academy. Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult, and the pay is reasonable.
The monthly wage ranges from €700 to €1,500 ($770-1,650), although if you have a lot of experience and get a contract with longer hours, it can be as high as €1,800 ($2,000).
You can expect to work between 20 and 30 hours a week, including time for planning and preparation. This gives you plenty of free time to enjoy your life. Lots of teachers also get some private lessons on the side for a bit more spending money.
Most language academies require a bachelor’s degree (especially if you’re non-EU) and a 120-hour TEFL certificate. For higher-paid positions, a Level 5 TEFL or a CELTA may be needed.
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There are plenty of language academies in Portugal. Lisbon and Porto have the most, but you can find others in smaller towns and cities up and down the country.
The established names are all there. Wall Street English, International House and British Council have branches, and there are lots of smaller companies dotted around. Click here to head over to ESL Base and see the full list.
How much do TEFL teachers make in international schools in Portugal?
Getting a position in an international school anywhere is a challenge, and Portugal is no different. You’ll need a degree-level teaching qualification and teaching license for most reputable schools, as well as some years of experience to be competitive.
Having said that, you may find some smaller private schools willing to take on less qualified teachers. However, the pay will be lower.
For a standard teaching week of 30-40 hours, you can earn €1,500-€3,000 ($1,650-3,300) in Portuguese international schools. And if you rise up the ranks, there’s potential to earn even more.
How much do TEFL teachers make from private classes in Portugal?
Private classes are a fantastic way to supplement your income from a language academy. Typical rates are €15-25 ($17-27) per hour. I’ve seen people charging less than that, but really, if you want to make it worthwhile, anything less than €15 isn’t enough.
Perhaps if you’re out in the sticks, you could charge a little lower. But, if you have a bit of experience and are a native speaker, you could quite easily make an hourly rate of €20 plus in the big cities.
Going full time as a private English tutor is only realistic if you’re an EU citizen. Even then, it’s a challenge. For the vast majority of people, it’s much better to use private lessons to supplement what you earn elsewhere.
For example, if you did 3 private classes a week at €15 per hour, you’d earn an extra €180 per month. That’s the difference between scraping by and having a good time.
For the full guide on becoming an English tutor, read my article: How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor.
Conclusion
Portugal isn’t a hotspot for TEFL teaching. Neither is it somewhere you can make masses of money. However, considering there’s lower competition, it’s a fantastic place for new/inexperienced teachers to get a foothold in Europe while still enjoying the lifestyle.
If I were starting out as a TEFL teacher, I’d definitely consider Portugal as a viable option. The beautiful scenery, deep-rooted culture and pleasant climate give it an attractiveness few other countries can rival.
Why not head over to my resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared to see what countries around the world can offer?
