Skilled Combo welder seeking opportunities in Portugal

Hi Nwobi, Welcome.

Portugal has a growing demand for professionals with your specialized technical skills, particularly in the heavy metalworking industry, ship repair, and energy infrastructure.

Since you are willing to cover your own relocation costs, your primary goal is to secure a work contract or a formal promise of employment (promessa de contrato). This is the essential document required to apply for the Residence Visa for Subordinate Work (Article 88) at the Portuguese Embassy/Consulate in Nigeria.

Below are some pathways and companies, and specialized recruitment agencies that actively recruit skilled welders for Portugal.

West-sea

https://west-sea.pt/en/home/

A large-scale shipyard focused on shipbuilding and ship repair, featuring modern steel cutting and modular block fabrication workshops.

Martifer

https://www.martifer.pt/

Martifer is one of the absolute best targets for your profile in Portugal. They are a massive, highly respected multinational industrial group specializing in metallic constructions (heavy steel structures) and naval industry (shipbuilding and repair).

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Sines is the heart of Portugal’s energy and petrochemical industry. It hosts major infrastructure projects, refineries, and industrial logistics facilities.

1. Galp Energia: Operates the Sines Refinery, which requires heavy maintenance, shutdowns, and continuous pipeline work.

https://jobs.galp.com/

1. Repsol Polímeros: A major petrochemical complex constantly running maintenance and expansion projects.

1. Industrial Engineering Subcontractors: Much of the hands-on welding work is executed by specialized engineering firms and subcontractors rather than the facility owners directly. Companies such as Phiture, Eiffage, and local industrial maintenance contractors frequently manage large-scale piping and structural projects here.

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Since you are willing to fund your own relocation, it is essential to understand the legal structure for working in Portugal as a non-EU national.

1. The Job Offer Requirement: Even if you cover all visa fees and relocation costs yourself, Portuguese immigration law requires you to secure a formal Work Contract (Contrato de Trabalho) or a formal Job Offer (Promessa de Trabalho) from a registered Portuguese employer before you can successfully secure a Work Visa (such as the D1 Visa).

1. Direct Application Strategy: Your best approach is to target the recruitment portals of industrial engineering firms operating in Sines and Setúbal, or search for English-speaking job postings on platforms like LinkedIn and English Jobs Portugal, specifically looking for keywords like Piping Welder, 6G Welder, or TIG/MIG Welder.

1. Documentation Ready: Ensure your certifications and reference letters from your 6 years of pipeline experience are fully digitized and ready to present to hiring managers.

Regards

@JohnnyPT

Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate the time you took to break this down. This is exactly what I needed.

I will start applying to West-Sea, Martifer, and the Sines companies immediately and get all my certifications digitized and ready. I understand now that securing the formal work contract is the critical first step and that is where I will focus.

If you know anyone within these companies or any recruiter actively placing welders in Portugal, a direct introduction would mean everything to me. I am serious about this and ready to do whatever it takes. 🙏