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Welcome to Internships in Portugal

Embark on a transformative internship journey and gain valuable professional experience in the captivating country of Portugal.

Portugal is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for nonprofit internships because it offers a unique blend of cultural richness and social impact opportunities. Located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is home to many amazing landmarks and sights including the Belém Tower in Lisbon, the lively Ribeira district in Porto, the Castle of Guimarães, and many more. During your internship in Portugal, make sure you get the chance to visit these historic places so that you can really immerse yourself in your Portugal experience.

The spectrum of nonprofit initiatives in this country can be as diverse and vibrant as its landmarks and sights. Whether your passion lies in conservation initiatives aimed at preserving its ecological treasures, environmental education programs designed to raise awareness about sustainability, or providing essential veterinary assistance to protect the country’s cherished animal populations, nonprofit internships in Portugal present you with many opportunities to express your commitment to meaningful causes.

As you dive into your nonprofit internship in Portugal and immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture and nurturing environment for personal and professional growth, you will also get to work with our partner organizations in Portugal. Your collaboration with our partner organizations will be a dynamic and reciprocal relationship, where you offer your skills, passion, and dedication, and in return, you receive valuable knowledge, cultural enrichment, and the profound satisfaction of knowing that your contributions have made a lasting difference.

Read more about Portugal as an internship destination

Portugal Highlights

Cultural Heritage

The culture that you will experience during your internship in Portugal will give you an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in a society deeply rooted in its past while also embracing modernity.

Festivals

An internship in Portugal for foreigners like yourself will undoubtedly leave you amazed at all its cultural events and festivals throughout the year. These festivities and cultural events provide you with a unique window into the country’s traditions.

Welcoming Atmosphere

During your time in Portugal, you will find yourself surrounded by friendly and welcoming locals who are eager to share their culture and make you feel at home.

Language Immersion

Portugal is an excellent place to improve your language skills, especially if you’re interested in learning Portuguese.

Browse All Internship Opportunities in Portugal

Two interns load aid and food boxes into a van as part of a volunteer project during their NGO internship.

Open for applications

NGO Management Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Business Development, Strategy, Fundraising, Communications
Put your business skills to work by assisting nonprofits in their growth strategies to further their mission.
Find out more
A dog is being examined by interns during a veterinary internship in Europe, with medical equipment visible around the examination area.

Open for applications

Veterinary Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
  • Hands-On Clinical Work, Animal Care, Treatments & Consultations
Extend the reach of dedicated nonprofits through digital marketing campaigns and refined communications strategies.
Find out more
Close-up of code on a computer screen, representing work in IT or software development.

Open for applications

IT & Web Management Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Italy OR Portugal
  • Website Management, Backend Development, Systems & Procedures
Apply your IT skills to web development projects with nonprofits that will help you build your portfolio as you expand their online presence.
Find out more

Open for applications

Communications Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
  • Digital Media, Strategic Marketing, Communication Channels
Extend the reach of dedicated nonprofits through digital marketing campaigns and refined communications strategies.
Find out more
A group of interns jump in excitement on a beach at sunset, silhouetted against the sky, symbolizing teamwork and celebration.

Open for applications

Customized Internship in Europe

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
  • Social-Environmental Impact, Tailor-Made, Nonprofit Development
Design a tailor-made internship experience that aligns with your professional and personal goals while furthering the mission of a nonprofit in Europe.
Find out more
Girl walking in field with a tree

Open for applications

Environmental Education Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Education, Facilitation, Curriculum Development, Monitoring
Help spread awareness of animal mistreatment and environmental issues to inspire change.
Find out more
Girl with sheep

Open for applications

Media Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Content Creation, Videography, Editing, TV
Make exciting, powerful content to inspire audiences to get behind vital conservation work.
Find out more
Girl with white duck

Open for applications

Marketing and Fundraising Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Content Creation, Fundraising, Monitoring & Evaluation, Funding Research
Help raise vital funds for vulnerable animals in Portugal while developing a diverse portfolio of work.
Find out more
Vet holding dog

Open for applications

Veterinary Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Animal Care, Veterinary Assistance, Treatment
Get first hand veterinary experience by caring for vulnerable animals in a sanctuary surrounded by forest.
Find out more

Important information about Portugal

Internship locations in Portugal

Colorful buildings under a wide, partly cloudy sky, with a hint of construction in the background.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s colorful hillsides, rich history, and lively coastal ambiance make it a dynamic city to explore. Known for blending tradition with modern energy, Lisbon offers interns an inspiring environment to immerse themselves in Portugal’s vibrant capital.

A riverside view at sunset, with rows of buildings along the water and flowers in the foreground.

Porto

Porto, with its iconic riverfront, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, is a captivating place to live and work. As a city known for its creativity and charm, it offers unique opportunities for those interning here to experience Portugal’s celebrated northern gem firsthand.

Santarém

Santarém, Portugal: This city stands as an inviting location for your nonprofit internship in Portugal where your dedication can truly make a difference. This historic Portuguese city located beside the Tagus River offers you a unique mix of cultural heritage and opportunities for impactful community work. As an intern in Santarém, you’ll have the chance to engage in various nonprofit initiatives, from education to environmental conservation, all within a setting that encourages personal and professional growth.

More Portugal Information

Weather and Climate

The weather in Portugal can vary depending on where you ultimately decide to do your internship. For example, northern Portugal (Porto, Braga, etc.) experiences an oceanic climate with relatively mild summers and cool, wet winters. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, and temperatures are generally cooler than in southern regions. On the other hand, central and southern Portugal (Lisbon, Santarém, Portimão etc.) experience a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. These areas typically have more temperature variations between seasons.

Whether you end up doing a winter, spring, fall, or summer internship in Portugal, remember to always check what the weather in your preferred location is like during that specific season so that you can pack accordingly.

Safety and Support

During your internship in Portugal, we’re here to support you. Portugal is ranked number six on the GPI scale, which makes it one of the safest countries to travel and intern in. However, as with any destination, it’s important to take common-sense precautions to ensure your safety. Some of these precautions include knowing emergency contacts, being aware of your surroundings, and keeping your belongings safe.

Portugal Travel Requirements

  • Visa – If you are a citizen of the EU or an EU member state and want to do a Portugal internship, a visa is not required since you can stay in the country without needing one for up to 90 days. If you are a citizen of a country that is not visa-exempt for short stays, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa.
  • Travel Insurance – You want to have a carefree experience during your internship abroad, so it’s important to get the right travel insurance; a package that is suited for your upcoming trip. Check out our page with more information on flights and insurance.
  • Police Clearance / Background Check – This is a standard policy for most of our internships, as you are often working with vulnerable individuals. The procedure on how to obtain a police clearance/background check varies per country.
  • Vaccinations – Some generally recommended vaccines for an internship in Portugal for foreigners are: routine vaccines, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, and rabies.

PORTUGAL FAQS

Is it safe to do an internship in Portugal?

Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in the European Union, meaning that an internship in Portugal for foreigners is very safe. However, it is always a good idea to take basic safety precautions when visiting or interning in any country.

Do I need to speak Portuguese to be an intern in Portugal?

Whether or not you need to speak Portuguese to do an internship in Portugal solely depends on the specific internship opportunity, the organization you will be working with, and the nature of the work. For example, if you are going to be doing an internship in the area of education, this probably means that you do need to have some basic Portuguese language skills in order to communicate with the individuals who may not have the ability to speak English.

What are the living costs in Portugal?

The living costs in Portugal can vary depending on where you decide to intern. Interning in popular destinations such as Lisbon or Porto will have higher living costs (accommodation, groceries, transportation, etc.) than other lesser known destinations, for example Santarém or Braga. However, even the cities that are on the more expensive side of the spectrum are still considered one of the most affordable living costs compared to other European cities.

When should I start planning my internship in Portugal?

We recommend you to start planning for your internship in Portugal at least three months in advance. This is in order for you to make sure that you have all necessary documents, vaccinations, and other aspects of your internship experience prepared

How do I apply for an internship in Portugal?

You can browse through all our offered opportunities for internships in Portugal. Once you find one that suits your interests, you can apply by filling out the application form online. After we have revised your application, we will contact you in order to schedule an online interview to give us a better idea of your internship goals. You will also be able to ask any questions that you may have. If everything goes well, we’ll send your application to the host organization.

Recent Blogs About Portugal Internships

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HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

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Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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