Andreia SantosMoving from Germany to Portugal inside the Volkswagen Group is not starting from scratch. You stay in the same family of companies, your experience counts from day one, and much of how you work stays familiar. The country changes, not your foundation.
Moving from Germany to Portugal within the Volkswagen Group does not force you to start over. You join a company in the same Group, you bring what you already know, and you gain a new country. The operation here is international and largely serves the German market — so your German and your experience are worth as much here as they were there.
What transfers with you
Your experience does not stay at the border. Product knowledge, processes, internal tools and the way you handle German-speaking customers — all of it still counts. You are not just another candidate arriving without context; you arrive with a background the Portugal operation values. It is the opposite of changing companies without starting over: here you do not even leave the Group.
- Knowledge of the Group's business and products.
- Familiarity with service and quality standards.
- Your native or fluent German, which is the core of the role.
- The shared work culture across Group companies.
What the international operation looks like here
In Portugal you work for German-speaking customers, often in the same services you already know. The team is international and the day-to-day is built to support people in another country. If you want to understand how these operations are structured, read contact center: international operation — it explains how teams serving several markets from Portugal are organised.
The format is 100% remote in Portugal. You do not have to be in an office in a specific city: you work from home, with the equipment and framework the company provides. That gives you freedom to choose where you live in the country.
I changed countries, but not my home — I'm still in the same family of companies, just with more sun.
Why this is different from changing jobs
Changing jobs means proving yourself again, learning another culture and losing your track record. Moving within the Group does not. You keep your path and the trust you have built. Someone who did the reverse journey tells it well in I came back from Germany, I work in Portugal — the professional continuity is real, not marketing.
If you are weighing the step, look at the open opportunities to see which roles exist and in which markets. Talking to a recruiter helps clarify what transfers in your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to restart my career in Portugal?
No. You stay in the same Group and your experience counts from the start. You change country, not your starting point.
Do I need Portuguese to work here?
For the role, German (and often English) is what matters. Portuguese you pick up slowly while living here — see learning Portuguese while working in German.
Is the work really remote?
Yes, 100% remote in Portugal. The company provides the framework; you can choose where you live in the country.
Will I handle German or Portuguese customers?
You mostly serve the German-speaking market. That is why your previous experience fits so well.
What do I gain compared to staying in Germany?
A different climate, cost of living and quality of life, while keeping professional continuity. Change without a break.
- Volkswagen Group Services Portugal [confirmar]
- Volkswagen Group internal recruitment teams [confirmar]