Can you make a living from Videogames in Portugal?

A lot of people love gaming, what if you could turn a hobby into a career?  In a global sector that already generates over $190 billion annually, the question seems inevitable: can this passion realistically become a sustainable career in Portugal?

At first glance, the signs are encouraging. The number of game studios in Portugal has been growing, now exceeding two hundred, while industry revenue has increased significantly in recent years. This suggests a developing ecosystem, with more projects, more companies, and greater international visibility.

However, a closer look reveals a structural challenge: lack of scale. Most Portuguese studios are small and independent, which limits their ability to invest in development, marketing, and expansion. In an industry where initial costs are high and success often depends on global visibility, this fragmentation makes it difficult to compete. As a result, many studios can release games, but only a few manage to grow sustainably.

This limitation is closely tied to the size of the Portuguese market. Unlike countries such as the United States or South Korea, Portugal does not have a large enough domestic consumer base to support the industry on its own. As a result, Portuguese studios depend heavily on international markets. As noted in a TEK analysis, the national sector has gained global recognition and contributed to major projects, but remains exposed to the dynamics and volatility of the international market.

This external dependence creates a paradox: Portugal participates in the global video game economy but does not control its main drivers. Decisions made by large international companies can directly affect local studios, even when their creative output is strong.

The labour market reflects a similar tension. On one hand, there is increasing demand for skilled professionalsreflecting the growing complexity of the industry. On the other hand, much of this talent ultimately leaves the country. Portuguese education and training produce globally competitive professionals, but the domestic market is still too limited to absorb them all.

The presence of international companies in Portugal further illustrates this dynamic. The expansion of Side in Braga, for example, highlights how multinational firms are increasingly using Portugal as a hub for specialized talent. While this brings employment opportunities and integrates Portugal into global value chains, it also suggests that the country often plays a supporting role, focusing on services rather than developing large-scale intellectual property.

In esports, the pattern is similar. There are active teams and communities, such as Team Alientech, which demonstrate the presence of talent and interest in competitive gaming. However, professionalization remains limited. In a sector that relies heavily on large audiences, sponsorships, and network effects, the Portuguese market struggles to generate stable and consistent income for players and organizations.

Finally, the economic model of video games itself is evolving. The industry no longer relies solely on initial salesbut increasingly on continuous revenue through in-game purchases and live services. This model tends to favour companies with the capacity to manage and monetize large user bases — something that remains challenging for many Portuguese studios.

So, can you make a living from video games in Portugal? In most cases no. While it is certainly possible to work in the industry, making a stable living from it remains difficult for most. The sector is growing, but it still faces structural limitations related to scale, investment, and dependence on external markets.