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Volunteer in Portugal

Explore International Volunteer HQ’s popular Portugal volunteer abroad program. Choose from a wide range of trusted Portugal volunteer projects, including Youth Support, Homeless Support, Wolf Conservation and Food Rescue. Volunteer work in Portugal is located throughout the wider city area of Lisbon with​​ ​Wolf Conservation volunteers based in Mafra. With affordable Program Fees and top rated volunteer projects trusted by over 135,000 travelers, IVHQ is the best volunteer organization in Portugal.

Highlights:
  • 9 meaningful project options available year-round
  • Program Fees from $705 for 1 week
  • Includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
  • Accommodation in dormitory style hostels​ in Lisbon or ​homes on-site

  • Affordable Portuguese language lessons available in-country

Apply For Free

Key information

Fully hosted experience from $705
Volunteer from 1 - 12 weeks
Ages 16+ and families
Based in & around Lisbon
Projects align with UN Sustainable Development Goals
Impact driven projects run by locals
B Corporation certified organization
Portuguese language lessons available

Volunteer opportunities in Portugal

Protects animals

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $705

  • Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based in animal shelters in Lisbon
  • Volunteers aged 16+

Help out at a local animal shelter for dogs and cats, providing the animals with medical treatment and companionship, while raising awareness of abandonment.

Protects animals

Up to 8 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $1265

  • Duration: 2 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based at a biological conservation park
  • Volunteers aged 18+

Contribute to animal conservation in the countryside of Portugal by helping protect lynx, eagles, wolves, brown bears and other animals at a biological park in Miranda do Corvo.

Conserves the environment

4-6 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $1180

  • Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based at a local diving school
  • Volunteers aged 16+ or 10+ accompanied

Gain dive certifications as you contribute to preserving and conserving the local marine environment by cleaning up the sea floor and helping with research projects.

Improves health & wellbeing

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $705

  • Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Local community initiatives
  • Volunteers aged 16+ or 13+ accompanied

Help to redistribute unused food from restaurants and supermarkets to up to 300 locals in need throughout Lisbon.

Conserves the environment

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $1065

  • Duration: 2 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based in a natural park in Lisbon
  • Volunteers aged 18+

Help restore Portugal's native forests by aiding the ecological recovery of degraded areas and protecting precious ecosystems.

Improves health & wellbeing

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $705

  • Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based in homeless centers
  • Volunteers aged 18+

Help a local homeless center to provide the basics for homeless people, with a focus on combating addiction and the challenges it poses for those in vulnerable states.

Supports community development

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $705

  • Duration: 1 - 2 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based at a skate-park in Lisbon
  • Volunteers aged 16+ and families

Help upcycle single-use plastic into sports items, such as skateboards, for marginalized groups and children in the local community. This helps integrate those on the fringes of society, while having a positive environmental impact.

Protects animals

5-8 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $1248

  • Duration: 2 - 4 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based at a wolf conservation center
  • Volunteers aged 20+

Help wolf conservation centers to care for wolves that have been rescued from zoos, illegal trapping or human captivity and are unable to return to the wild. Based in the beautiful forests of Mafra, volunteers help monitor, feed and look after these magnificent creatures whilst supporting vital wolf and wildlife protection efforts.

Increases access to education

3-5 hours volunteering per day

Program Fees from $705

  • Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Based in after-school programs
  • Volunteers aged 16+ and families

Help teenagers from underprivileged communities on after school programs, providing help with homework, games and activities to keep them entertained and inspired.

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

KG
Kayla Gore
01 Mar 2024

I truly enjoyed my time living by the beach in a beautiful castle like home and commuting on the train daily to my placement. It really gave me the opportunity to explore Portugal as a local. Very safe, I found myself walking to the beach across the street on a nice evening to watch and hear the waves crashing. The staff were amazing!

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BF
Benjamin Fiddimore
27 Feb 2024

I gained knowledge about the extent to which food poverty affects Lisbon, as well as the huge volume of food that would normally go to waste. It was great to be able to help impact two problems on one project, and I do think that I genuinely helped the team at my placement to make a difference in the local community.

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SW
Sophie Williams
15 Jan 2024

I learned something about the culture in Lisbon/Portugal but I also learned about the cultures of the other volunteers I met while staying in Portugal. To anyone who is hesitant about joining the program, I would tell them to not be afraid to work hard, the work would be easy if they didn’t NEED volunteers but the projects desperately do need help, its not just a holiday, its work.

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VV
Valentina Velazquez
05 Apr 2023

IVHQ was very helpful to guide me throughout the application and preparation process for my trip. They also helped me find projects that were connected under my interests. The local team were both helpful and friendly. I knew I could trust them with any questions or concerns I had. Being able to see all the different creatures that live under the water, and being able to help clean up their environment meant allowing them to continue living a safe life was my favourite moment. I learned that even one small action can lead to a large change in helping the world and the people on it. If you are considering volunteering, go for it! Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but you will find that it will leave a good impact on your life and teach you many new things!

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HW
Hope Williams
24 Mar 2023

IVHQ did an incredible in preparing me for this experience and the local team were great and always available to answer my questions. I loved the project and really felt like in my own small way I was making a contribution. One of my favourite moments was when I had a beautiful cat jump on my lap and fall asleep. This program has inspired me to do another trip! I want to continue to give back and do another volunteer trip soon. It is a great way to contribute while at the same time push yourself out of your comfort zone. Dong the trip by myself was hard but once I did it, I knew I wanted to do it again. It feels wonderful to travel independently and meet new people while giving back to a cause I care about.

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HM
Hanna MacDonald
08 Feb 2023

I think that IVHQ does a wonderful job at getting things organized and settled, and the support from the local team was phenomenal! The accommodation was great! Better than i thought it would be. I think my favourite moment was orientation where we got to meet each other and have a tour of the city in a Tuk Tuk. Very good ice breaker! The way people live and the way their culture is had the greatest impact on me. It is so relaxing and refreshing and also very eye opening. I would tell people who are hesitant about volunteering abroad that they would be missing out if they decided not to go.

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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Free-time experiences & tours in Portugal

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Portugal! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Portugal program.

Language Lessons
Language Lessons

Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.

From $315
Language Lessons
Language Lessons

Enhance your Portuguese language proficiency at the most affordable rate while volunteering in Portugal.

From $315

Check what's required to visit Portugal

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way!