Volunteer Programs in Portugal

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

This program includes 15 hours of group Portuguese classes every week, with each class lasting 50 minutes. Each class has a maximum of 18 and an average of 4 students, all possessing the same language level. The teaching method is based on 4 skills: listening, grammar, oral, and written comprehension. No English is used in class to foster quick learning. Students may enroll for as many weeks as they desire. In order to make sufficient progress and gain the maximum benefit from the course, the following program durations are recommended: Beginner - 4–12 weeks Intermediate - 2–12 weeks Advanced - 2–12 weeks During the minimum 4-week Study + Volunteer program, students will volunteer in the afternoon after their morning Portuguese classes. The center will find projects in each student’s preferred area, such as: * Working with Children * Elderly People * Community Centers * Assisting at the Banco Alimentar

The Animal Protection Program in Lisbon is perfect for those passionate about animal welfare. As a volunteer, you'll engage in sustainable tourism while supporting abandoned dogs and cats. You'll assist non-profit shelters by playing, socializing, feeding, and cleaning the shelters of rescued animals. You'll also support adoption events, take photos and videos to help promote adoption, and spend time with dogs and cats daily. These shelters are often overcrowded, and you play an essential role in giving time and love to animals to support their adoption. Our project is intended for ages 16 and up, but we also welcome families with children four years and older.

Global Builders teams are working in and around Braga, a city known for its history and industry. Despite being developed, some people still face challenges like overcrowded living spaces, homes lacking basic facilities like sanitation and clean water, electrical problems, and poorly insulated houses. The homes being created have simple yet modern kitchens and bathrooms that cater to people with limited mobility. These homes provide things that many of these families have never had before, like hot water, proper flooring, and efficient heating. Local volunteers from Portugal are doing their part, but international volunteers also have a big role to play. Together, they're transforming an old carpentry workshop into a building with six condos. These condos will be owned by a mix of Portuguese families and families who have sought refuge in Portugal from places like Cameroon and the Congo. If you have a heart for combining service, traveling, and experiencing new cultures, then this trip is for you!

Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are killed by the trash found in our oceans. This project aims to tackle ocean pollution off the coast of Portugal through diving. Volunteers complete daily dives in various dive sites near Lisbon, with the aim of removing debris from the reef and ocean bed. Volunteers to date have helped to remove almost 3000kg of fishing nets, as well as tyres, fridges, laptops, cell phones and of course, plastic. This project has been running since 2016, and since then a noticeable increase in biodiversity has been seen in the ocean around the dive sites. Volunteers can take part for one week to four weeks. You are provided with full training once in Portugal. We recommend a minimum stay of two weeks for people without prior dive experience. Volunteers live in an eco-guest house in Lisbon with other volunteers. Three meals per day are provided.

Come join a team of international volunteers and local animal welfare experts in a pioneer project set in the vast countryside of sunny Portugal. You will live and work at an animal and plant sanctuary in the heart of the Santarém district, designed as a haven for stray, neglected, or mistreated animals such as dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, chinchillas, rabbits, turkeys, and turtle doves. You will help with the day-to-day care of the animals, planting native trees and shrubs to help rebuild natural ecosystems along the 27 hectares of sanctuary land, and supporting the resocialization and rehoming of once stray or mistreated animals. Together with international and local volunteers and professionals, you will take on daily tasks such as cleaning the animal enclosures, training and socializing the rescued animals, as well as maintaining the forest and the sanctuary property. Your work will greatly contribute to the well-being of the land and all of its animal residents, both wild and domesticated. Note: From 2025, the project times will be extended to either 2 weeks or 4 weeks

Volunteer at an ethical wolf sanctuary in Portugal and support the conservation of the endangered Iberian wolf. Engage in various activities, from habitat maintenance to public education, while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings near Lisbon. Responsibilities: Assist in maintaining and restoring wolf habitats Support feeding and monitoring wolves Participate in environmental education and community outreach Help with general maintenance and conservation tasks By volunteering, you get hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, contribute to the preservation of an endangered species, immerse cultural experience in Portugal, and have opportunities to explore local tourist and cultural sights. Join us in preserving the Iberian wolf and gain valuable conservation experience. Apply now to be part of this rewarding volunteer program. Join us today!

Inequalities and poverty are significant issues in Portugal, especially in urban centers. Access to basic social services, economic resources, housing, and employment is limited, especially for vulnerable individuals. You will be working with organizations dedicated to providing practical assistance and reinstating a sense of belonging and dignity for those experiencing homelessness and other social challenges such as addiction and unemployment. Daily Tasks: - Meal Preparation and Distribution: Prepare, cook, and distribute meals to individuals in need. - Donation Sorting: Organize and distribute donated items such as clothing and essentials. - Group Dynamics Participation: Engage in group activities that teach basic life skills, such as budgeting, job application, and cooking. Why Join? Make an Impact: Contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and supporting their journey towards stability. Gain Experience: Develop skills in social services, community engagement, and support work.

As a volunteer, you'll help shine a spotlight on awesome causes centered around community support and environmental initiatives. You'll create content that helps these organizations get noticed and grow their support. If you’ve got a laptop, some design tools (like Adobe Creative Suite or similar), and/or a camera, bring them along to make the most of this experience! Many small organizations lack the resources or know-how to create impactful digital content. Thus, this project largely involves supporting local NGOs by improving their online presence and digital outreach. As a Content Creator volunteer, you fill that gap by using your creative talents to help these causes gain attention. You might be designing social media posts, creating videos, taking photos, or even helping them with website updates. The goal is to help these organizations tell their stories in a way that captures people’s interest and inspires action, whether that’s donations, volunteers, or simply spreading the word. Since it’s a hands-on role, having your own tools—like a laptop, editing software, or a camera—lets you jump right in and start making a difference.

Working Abroad Projects welcomes you to get involved in this program that lets you explore the beautiful coastline of Algarve while immersing in a project focused on marine conservation. Take part in dolphin research, which helps you gain insight into different research techniques and instruments. You will study and learn about whales, cetaceans and marine species, as well as their conservation. Fieldwork activities take place at sea on board our research vessel, ‘Ketos’, and on commercial whale watching boats working in partnership on the project. Participating in the Dolphin and Whale Research program gives you the opportunity to gain relevant experience. You will work alongside expert marine biologists, allowing you to play an active role in the future conservation of Portugal’s marine habitats and species. You will stay with other volunteers, as well as our researchers and assistants, in a shared villa in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. The accommodation has three rooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, office, garden, farm with a small crop of fruits, and a private pool. The house has a TV, Wi-Fi, and a laundry room.