About Portugal
Portugal is a European country lying on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is known for its beautiful coastline, history, colourful landscapes, and welcoming people. Portugal has diverse geography, including mountains, plains, and a long coastline, iconic for its mountainous cliffs and gorgeous beaches. The Douro River is one of the major rivers found in Portugal. The Mediterranean climate allows species such as cork oaks and lavender to flourish. Wildlife species such as the iberian lynx, wild boar, deer and various bird species are about found in Portugal, not to mention marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.
Major cities are Lisbon and Porto. Lisbon has a fairly hilly topography, earning it the name of “City of Seven Hills.” Meanwhile, Porto is famous for its production of port wine. Other popular areas include the beaches of Algarve, and UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sintra and Évora.
Portugal has one of the oldest empires in European history and played an important role in global exploration. Lisbon is also one of the oldest cities in Europe, only surpassed in age by Athens. Portugal gained power as a maritime power during The Age of Discovery in the 15th century. Well-known explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan contributed to this rise in power. Today, Portugal is a member of the European Union, NATO and other prominent international organisations.
Portugal has a very high quality of life with comparatively affordable costs of living, good healthcare, low crime rates and, of course, the famously pleasant Mediterranean climate.
Advice before volunteering in portugal
Although English is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in urban and tourist areas, learning some basic Portuguese will certainly enhance your experience and allow you to communicate with the local community much better. It also shows general respect for the local culture. The projects are all very safe but you should still exercise general caution when in an unfamiliar environment and stay vigilant against petty theft. Follow any health and safety recommendations from your doctor and the Pasteur Institute.
How to volunteer in Portugal?
See all the requirements to volunteer in Portugal, choose a location or an area you would like to volunteer in and explore, see what programs there are. If you would like to volunteer in the urban areas, you will most likely work with vulnerable communities or in marine conservation if close to Lisbon. If, on the other hand, you prefer rural areas, you might volunteer on reconstruction or animal protection projects.
Where are volunteers in Portugal most needed?
Most volunteer programs you can find in Portugal are environmental programs such as cleaning efforts or tree planting, humanitarian projects such as teaching English, rebuilding houses and farms in the Alentejo region, and agriculture and marine projects.
Do volunteers need a visa to volunteer in Portugal?
U.S. and EU citizens do not need a visa to volunteer in Portugal. US citizens can stay in Portugal with no special visa requirements for 90 Days, while EU citizens are free to stay longer, if the country is within the Schengen Area. Other nationalities require a visa, depending on their length of stay. Check with the Portuguese Embassy in your country to learn about the process.
Volunteer Opportunities in Portugal
Portugal is considered a developed country, but it doesn’t lack volunteering projects. Discover volunteer opportunities in Portugal. You can work as a volunteer on environmental preservation programs, or you can take part in working with vulnerable communities. For example, some of the projects we are offering are projects in biodiversity, marine conservation, and an Iberian wolf preservation.
Join a Freepackers project in Portugal!
If you are a part of the EU, you do not require a visa. If you are outside of the EU, you can stay without a visa for up to 90 days.
For any international project, Freepackers Care requires the subscription of a travel insurance including the coverage of accidents, diseases, repatriation and includes civil liability in case of damage to third parties.
You can subscribe online with our partner CHAPKA, which offers 5% discount with this link. If you subscribe to another insurance, we will ask you to send us a copy of your certificate in English.
For complete protection during studies or an internship abroad, you can subscribe to Cap Student insurance online by following this link. This insurance also includes civil liability in the context of an activity abroad.
