Summer labour shortages deepen pressure on Portugal’s tourism sector

As Portugal enters the busiest months of the tourism season, employers across the hospitality sector are warning that long-standing labour shortages are becoming more acute, with industry leaders expressing concern that stricter immigration rules could further limit access to the workers many businesses rely upon.

According to Sol, restaurants, hotels and other seasonal businesses are struggling to recruit staff just as visitor numbers surge, prompting renewed calls for faster and more predictable immigration procedures.

The concerns come after the government tightened immigration rules and ahead of the implementation of the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, which businesses fear could place additional restrictions on the recruitment of foreign workers.

The restaurant and catering sector remains among the hardest hit.

Ana Jacinto, secretary-general of the AHRESP, told Sol that employers continue to face “significant recruitment difficulties”, particularly for operational roles including chefs, kitchen staff, waiting staff, housekeeping and customer service positions.

While the problem is not new, she said replacing employees who leave remains particularly challenging.

Recent figures from Portugal’s Statistics Portugal (INE) show employment across the hospitality sector reached its highest level in 11 years during the first quarter of 2026, with 343,100 people employed – an increase of 26,400, or 8.3%, compared with the same period last year.

However, Jacinto argued that rising employment has not resolved the underlying recruitment crisis.

“The arrival of summer makes these needs much more visible, particularly in destinations experiencing the highest tourist demand, where temporary reinforcement of teams is essential,” she told the newspaper.

She also pointed to the sector’s growing dependence on migrant workers. According to data from the Bank of Portugal foreign workers accounted for around 31% of employment in tourist accommodation and restaurants in 2023 – almost one in every three employees.

Jacinto warned that any reduction in immigration flows inevitably creates uncertainty for employers, noting that the central bank has already identified a slowdown in new arrivals alongside an increase in departures following the abolition of Portugal’s former “manifestation of interest” immigration mechanism.

She said AHRESP supports an immigration system that is regulated but also efficient, with predictable administrative processes that enable businesses to recruit workers legally, and quickly, while investing in training and integration.

Similar concerns were raised by the Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal.

Executive vice-president Cristina Siza Vieira told Sol that staffing shortages become particularly evident during the high season, when occupancy rates rise and hotels require additional workers across accommodation, housekeeping, kitchens, maintenance, reception and food and beverage departments.

She said the challenge extends beyond simply finding workers, encompassing recruitment, training, integration and staff retention, warning that shortages can ultimately affect the quality of the guest experience.

Although updated figures are unavailable, the association has previously estimated the hotel sector alone needed around 15,000 additional workers, while tourism overall required tens of thousands more.

The business community has echoed those concerns.

Luís Miguel Ribeiro, president of the AEP, described labour shortages as one of the main constraints on Portugal’s economic growth.

He argued that continued economic expansion will depend, to a significant extent, on maintaining positive net migration.

Ribeiro also highlighted the importance of reskilling and lifelong learning, while warning that the deadline for completing projects funded through Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) this summer could place additional pressure on the labour market.

Agriculture, meanwhile, presents a contrasting picture.

According to Luís Mira, secretary-general of the Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal, immigration remains vital to the sector, with more than 3,000 work visas already issued this year and between 4,000 and 5,000 expected by year-end.

However, he said delays in obtaining tax and social security numbers continue to slow workers’ integration, while the lack of affordable housing remains a major obstacle.

By contrast, Portugal’s TVDE ride-hailing sector appears less concerned.

Ivo Fernandes of the APTAD told Sol that although around half of Portugal’s TVDE drivers are foreign nationals, there is currently an oversupply of drivers, meaning any reduction in migrant recruitment is unlikely to have a significant operational impact in the short term.

Delivery platforms have also reported no immediate disruption, although companies acknowledge that future difficulties renewing residence permits could eventually affect parts of the workforce, Sol reports.