Over the past few years, Portugal has established itself as one of Europe’s strongest markets for international tech hiring, while continuing to grow its own product and scaleup ecosystem. Our latest Tech Talent Trends Report reinforces that reputation with data and highlights an opportunity that many companies still underestimate.
A skilled and experienced talent pool
The data speaks for itself. Among the 1,115 tech professionals surveyed in Portugal, 92% report high or native-level English proficiency, with 67% at full working proficiency and 25% at native or bilingual level. Higher education is also the norm, with 73% having a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Perhaps even more importantly, this is a mature market: nearly half of professionals have more than nine years of experience, and almost three quarters have been working in tech for over five years.
The opportunity many companies overlook
For companies already hiring in Portugal, these numbers won’t come as a surprise. What really stands out, however, is that only 13% of Portuguese tech professionals currently work for a company headquartered outside Portugal. In other words, while international companies are certainly present, most experienced professionals are still building their careers with domestic employers. When you put these numbers together, a clear picture emerges.
Portugal has an experienced, highly educated and English-proficient talent pool, yet much of that talent remains relatively untapped by international employers.
For companies looking to build or expand engineering teams, this creates a great opportunity to have access to experienced professionals in a market that still has significant room for international growth.
What does this mean for employers?
For companies already operating in Portugal, the data reinforces what many teams are already experiencing: English proficiency and technical seniority are strengths of the local market, not exceptions. For those considering Portugal for the first time, it’s worth looking beyond the most visible profiles. While competition certainly exists for top talent, a large part of the experienced workforce is still supporting local companies, creating opportunities for international employers entering the market.
At Damia, we work with international companies building and scaling engineering teams across Portugal. Every hiring strategy is different, and while the report gives great market insights, understanding what the data means for your specific hiring needs is where the real value lies.
We’d be happy to share what we’re seeing across the market and discuss how these trends could help your growth plans.
The full Tech Talent Trends Report 2026 has the complete breakdown, alongside salary benchmarks, seniority data, and hiring trends across the market.
