What's the law on remote work in Portugal?

Do you want to know about remote workers' rights or more about the company's obligations?

In Portugal, remote work is regulated mainly by the Telework Law (Law no. 99/2003), which has been updated. Basically, telework is allowed and can be agreed between the worker and the company, but it has to be in writing. Remote workers have the same rights as those working in the office - same salary, same holidays, social security, everything. The company is required to provide the necessary equipment (mobile phone, laptop, etc.) or compensate you if you use your own.

The important thing is that there's no law in Portugal requiring anyone to do remote work, neither the company nor the worker. So it's all by agreement. There are rules about working hours, weekly rest and so on - you can't be exploited just because you're at home. If the company fires you for refusing telework, it could face legal trouble. And the opposite also applies: if you ask to work from home and the company refuses without valid reason, it depends on the context, but you have rights.

After COVID, a lot of things became more open to negotiation, but the law is the law. If you have specific doubts about your contract, it's better to talk to a union or even to the Authority for Working Conditions.