Giving Back: 18 Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities for Expats
How to Connect, Contribute, and Make a Difference While Living in Portugal.
Dear Readers,
Whether you are retired in the Algarve, remote working from Porto or Lisbon, or exploring Portugal as a long-term visitor, there's one powerful way to feel at home fast and that’s by volunteering.
Throughout Portugal, there are local organizations doing essential work, from supporting food-insecure families to protecting wildlife or cleaning up the coastline. Many of them welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, including expats.
Please note that this post is long, so it may get cut-off if you’re reading this on a mobile device. And if you’re using a VPN on your devices, you may have to remove it to access some of these sites.
Why Volunteer in Portugal?
Volunteering is more than just helping — it’s a gateway to language immersion, friendship, and cultural understanding. Whether you're looking to make local friends, fill free time with purpose, or simply contribute to a cause close to your heart, there's a role waiting for you.
Most organizations are open to volunteers regardless of residency status. Portuguese language skills are helpful but not always required in many cases, especially in larger cities or international organizations.
In this post, I will share a list of 18 accessible, meaningful ways you can give back to your community in Portugal, while learning more about the people, culture, and landscape that make this country special to so many.
Also included are my notes for each organization regarding how easy it is to navigate each website along with additional helpful information I found as I reviewed them.
This list is not exhaustive of every possible volunteer opportunity in Portugal. At the end of this post, I have included additional resources with links if you’re looking for something specific. I have also tried to group the volunteer opportunities by cause to make it easier to find what you’re interested in.
Volunteer Opportunities in Portugal for Expats.
Refood Portugal – Rescue Surplus, Feed Communities.
Location: Nationwide
What it is: The REFOOD mission is to rescue food, feed people and include the entire local community, co-creating a more just, caring, and sustainable society. It’s local, flexible, and has minimal language barriers.
What you’ll do: There are volunteer opportunities including collecting leftover food from restaurants and bakeries, sorting, and packaging, and delivering to families in need.
My notes: The website is easy to navigate and has both Portuguese and English language versions. Their volunteer contact form is straightforward.
Banco Alimentar – Join a Nationwide Food Drive.
Location: Major cities (Lisbon, Porto, Faro, etc.)
What it is: Food bank. Portugal’s largest volunteer movement — join thousands of locals in action.
What you’ll do: Collect food donations at supermarkets during biannual campaigns; help sort and distribute goods.
My notes: The website is somewhat easy to navigate but you’ll have to use a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak or read Portuguese. You will have to fill out a volunteer form.
Lisbon Project - Fostering Community for Migrants and Refugees.
Location: Lisbon
What it is: A non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a supportive community that empowers and integrates migrants and refugees.
What you’ll do: There are numerous opportunities for volunteering, internships, and paid positions including welcoming community members, serving, sharing a meal with the community, assisting in a variety of activity related duties, such as planning and attending social gatherings with children, and helping plan and attend women’s workshops and social gatherings.
My notes: The website is very easy to navigate in English. Check out the volunteer page to see what opportunities are available. There are opportunities that do not require Portuguese language skills. You’ll need to fill out a form for the position you’re interested in. https://www.lisbonproject.org/volunteer
Renovar a Mouraria – Empower Migrant Communities.
Location: Lisbon
What it is: Ideal for expats helping other immigrants, in one of Lisbon’s most diverse neighborhoods.
What you’ll do: Teach languages, host creative workshops, assist job seekers, or help organize intercultural events.
My notes: The website is not easy to navigate, and the volunteer opportunities are not clearly described. Use a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak/read Portuguese. Their contact information (including where they are located) can be found here.
Want a free PDF of this list? Download your copy here.
CASA – Support the Homeless with Food and Kindness.
Location: Nationwide
What it is: Helping the homeless. Grassroots, immediate impact, and deeply needed.
What you’ll do: Prepare and distribute warm meals and clothes to unhoused people.
My notes: This website is easy to navigate. You’ll need a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak or read Portuguese. Their volunteer form is easy to use.
Serve the City Portugal – Street-Level Social Impact.
Location: Lisbon, Cascais, Porto
What it is: Their motto is “small acts of kindness.” Expat and English-friendly.
What you’ll do: Distribute food to the unhoused, paint schools, mentor teens, help elderly neighbors.
My notes: This organization is part of a global network of over 80 cities around the world. The website is under construction but there’s enough information to get a sense of what their mission is. They have sporadic and regular opportunities for involvement. You can fill out a two-page form to get started.
Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (CVP) – Provide Humanitarian Support.
Location: Lisbon and throughout Portugal
What it is: It’s a national society representing Portugal within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As a non-governmental, non-profit humanitarian organization, it is committed to delivering social and humanitarian support—especially to those in vulnerable situations. CVP’s mission is to prevent and relieve human suffering, safeguard life and health, uphold human dignity, and promote the protection of human life.
What you’ll do: There are numerous opportunities including teaching Portuguese to a refugee family, reading stories to a bedridden patient, assisting in their warehouses for food and other donated goods, and raising funds for their causes and projects.
My notes: The website is somewhat easy to navigate. You’ll need a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak or read Portuguese. The website indicates that you should contact your nearest local Portuguese Red Cross branch to inquire about volunteer opportunities in your area. There are some volunteer roles that require English language skills.
Ocean Initiatives – Beach and River Cleanups.
Location: Coastal and riverfront areas throughout Portugal.
What it is: Direct environmental impact by cleaning up waterways, and you meet other eco-conscious locals and travelers.
What you’ll do: Participate in organized clean-ups or create your own.
My notes: The Ocean Initiatives are coordinated by Surfrider Foundation Europe, an international non-profit organization committed to protecting and preserving lakes, rivers, oceans, waves, and coastlines.
The website is easy to navigate, although you’ll need a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak or read Portuguese. The volunteer process is easy.
WWOOF Portugal – Learn Organic Farming.
Location: Rural Portugal (from the Douro to Alentejo)
What it is: If you’re into sustainability, this work is part hands-on education, part cultural exchange, and a way to slow down and live simply.
What you’ll do: Plant, harvest, compost, cook, and learn about sustainable living in exchange for meals and a bed.
My notes: This is a world-wide organization with a branch in Portugal. The website is easy to navigate. You’ll have to contact them via email to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
URBEM – Help Create a Fast Forest.
Location: Lisbon
What it is: URBEM is a vibrant social collective composed entirely of enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers united by a shared vision: to reconnect people with forests, the earth, and one another.
They bring this vision to life through an initiative in Lisbon’s Bela Vista Park, where they’re creating a fast forest that will serve as a dynamic hub for sustainability education, artistic expression, community events, theater, concerts, and social gatherings.
What you’ll do: Since this organization is entirely made up of volunteers, there are a variety of opportunities including, physical work in the forests, biologists and biology experts, graphic designers, copywriters in English and Portuguese, translators (English > Portuguese), social media managers, and general administration.
My notes: The website is very easy to navigate and has an English language version. There is a volunteer form to fill out.
RIAS Algarve – Wildlife Rehab for Injured Animals.
Location: Olhão, Algarve
What it is: Close-up work with wildlife in a peaceful natural setting.
What you’ll do: Help feed, clean, and care for birds and mammals; assist with public outreach and center maintenance.
My notes: The organization’s website is easy to navigate. They offer both volunteer and intern opportunities with specific commitment requirements. To inquire about opportunities, they request getting in touch through their contact us form.
A Rocha Portugal – Environmental Stewardship.
Location: Near Alvor, Algarve
What it is: A warm, eco-minded Christian community where science meets spirituality.
What you’ll do: Bird surveys, nature talks, eco-education, habitat restoration.
My notes: The website is somewhat easy to navigate with an English-version available. This organization is part of an international Christian organization. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, you’ll have to fill out a volunteer form.
Want a free PDF of this list? Download your copy here.
Dogs of Portugal – Pet Rescue.
Location: Setúbal
What it is: Dogs of Portugal is a non-profit animal protection organization dedicated solely to finding loving homes for Portuguese dogs rescued by O Cantinho da Milu, Portugal’s largest dog sanctuary. Located on a multi-acre property in Setúbal, the sanctuary cares for over 700 abandoned and mistreated dogs and other animals.
What You’ll Do: In addition to grooming and playing with the animals, volunteers are expected to help with cleaning the kennels. There are also opportunities to take sick animals to the vet.
My notes: The website is very easy to navigate and available in several languages. Use the contact us page to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA) – Care for Dogs and Cats.
Location: Loulé, Algarve
What it is: A purpose-built shelter with global support and lots of wagging tails.
What you’ll do: Dog walking, kennel cleaning, photography, social media, event help, adoptions.
My notes: The website is easy to navigate and includes an English language version. There are opportunities for locals to volunteer, but the majority of volunteers come through Worldpackers, an international volunteer program (and detailed along with other organizations at the end of this post). If you’re a local, scroll down the volunteer page to fill out a Portuguese/Local Volunteer form.
Bianca Charity – Animal Welfare.
Location: Sesimbra
What it is: Bianca Charity is an animal welfare organization based in Sesimbra, Portugal, focused on rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned, injured, and at-risk animals—primarily dogs and cats. The organization provides safe shelter, veterinary care, and promotes responsible adoption. Bianca also plays an active role in educating the public about animal welfare, overpopulation, and the critical importance of sterilization.
What You’ll Do: There are many volunteer opportunities including helping with campaigns to collect goods in supermarkets, taking sick animals to the vets, walking animals in the shelter, helping clean kennels.
My notes: The website is somewhat easy to navigate with an English-version available. Volunteers must be over 16 years of age. There are opportunities for English speaking volunteers. They request that you email them about current volunteer opportunities.
Carvoeiro Cat Charity Shelter – Rescue At-Risk Cats.
Location: Lagoa, Algarve
What it is: The organization is dedicated to rescuing at-risk cats and finding them safe, loving homes. In addition, they run an outreach program that cares for several cat colonies in and around Carvoeiro. Volunteers visit regularly to feed the cats, maintain their shelters, and ensure that any new arrivals are sterilized to help manage the population responsibly.
What you’ll do: Feeding and caring for the animals, cleaning enclosures, assisting with laundry, and other daily responsibilities.
My notes: The website does not have a page for volunteers, although their Facebook page mentions needing volunteers. Contact the organization at ccca.carvoeirocatcharity@gmail.com to inquire about volunteering.
Quintinha Abc - Animal Protection Association – Help Abandoned and Neglected Animals.
Location: Palmela
What it is: The organization is dedicated to the rescue and reintegration into society of abandoned or neglected animals in the Palmela area.
What you’ll do: Clean kennels, feed the animals, administer medications and general daily management of the shelter.
My notes: The website is easy to navigate, although you’ll need a language translator on your browser if you don’t speak or read Portuguese. Use their volunteer form to apply. They request a minimum commitment of 3 hours per each day that you volunteer.
Animais de Rua – Help Stray Animals.
Location: Locations throughout Portugal
What it is: An organization dedicated to helping thousands of stray animals by providing food, medical treatment when they’re ill, and neutering to prevent overpopulation.
What you’ll do: Numerous opportunities including trapping (requires training), post-op care, fostering, organizing and participating in fundraising events, photography and video,
graphic design, public relations, translations (Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese), data management and communication support (replying to messages, comments and/or e-mails).
My notes: The website is easy to navigate with an English version option. Use their contact form to inquire about opportunities.
Additional resources.
If you're looking for more short-term, remote, or cause-specific opportunities, try these platforms:
Workaway – Trade your skills for room and board.
Idealist.org – Not just for volunteering. This site is a directory for international nonprofit roles.
Portugal Voluntário – A platform with the goal of facilitating meetings between those who want to participate in a volunteering action and the organizations that promote it.
NGOs, Charities and Non-profits in Portugal – A list of non-profits, charities and NGOs (nonprofit organization that operates independently of any government) working in Portugal
Local opportunities – Check local Facebook pages to see if there are volunteer opportunities in your community. Also inquire at local schools and churches in your community.
Tips for volunteering in Portugal.
Language: Many roles are English-friendly, especially in urban areas or international non-profit organizations. Always check with the organization before making a commitment.
Time commitment: Varies — some just a few hours a week, others full-day projects.
Dress code: Comfortable, casual, weather appropriate.
Paperwork: Most roles don’t require legal registration, but some ask for ID or insurance.
Age minimum: In some cases, there may be a minimum age requirement to volunteer.
Transportation: Be sure to inquire if the organization is easily accessible by public transportation or if a car is necessary.
If volunteering is not your thing, there are other ways to help.
Most charitable organizations accept monetary and in-kind donations. When deciding where to donate, it’s important to be sure your contribution goes to a cause that truly makes a difference. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:
Do your homework. Not all charities operate the same way. Take time to understand what the organization does, how it works, and who it helps before making a donation.
Evaluate their impact. Look at the results they’re achieving. Are they delivering direct support to those in need, or working toward sustainable, long-term change?
Review their finances. Check how donations are allocated. What percentage of your money goes directly to programs versus administrative costs? Transparency matters.
Align with your values. Your donation is more than financial support — it’s an endorsement of the charity’s mission. Choose one whose goals and approach you genuinely believe in.
Have you volunteered in Portugal? I would love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment or share your tips for newcomers.
Want a free PDF of this list? Download your copy here.
Thanks for being on this journey with me!
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Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.
Thanks for doing research for us and providing a wealth of options available for volunteering. Very helpful.
What a great idea for finding a way to give back to your adopted home. I’m sharing the links for workaway and idealist with a young family member who has started thinking about spending some extended time abroad.