1) Job Market and Salaries — 5/10
Coimbra is a medium-sized city with a strong academic presence, which shapes its IT landscape. Local job opportunities exist but are limited compared to Lisbon or Porto. Most IT professionals either work remotely for international companies or commute to larger hubs.
Up-to-date IT jobs in Portugal, including Coimbra, can be found here:
Pros
- Opportunities for remote work or EU-oriented positions
- University links provide some local internships and entry-level roles
Cons
- Smaller local market with fewer positions
- Salaries can be lower than in major cities
Key questions answered
Is it realistic to find a job locally? For Junior or student roles, yes; for Mid/Senior positions, remote options dominate
Local market vs remote work? Mostly remote-friendly, with few local product teams
2) IT Ecosystem and Companies — 6/10
Coimbra’s ecosystem is shaped by academia and small startups. There are some tech companies, mostly in software consulting or university spin-offs.
👉 IT Companies & Updates in Portugal
Pros
- Strong university-industry collaboration
- Opportunities for research-based projects
Cons
- Limited number of mid-to-large tech companies
- Fewer corporate or international teams
3) Startup World and Investment — 5/10
Startup activity exists, mostly early-stage and university-driven. Local accelerators support small projects, but VC presence is minimal.
Pros
- Early-stage ideas can be nurtured via incubators and university programs
- Good environment for bootstrapped projects
Cons
- Low investment density compared to Lisbon or Porto
- Limited networking for scaling startups
4) Community, Meetups, Conferences — 6/10
Coimbra has active academic and developer communities, including Python, Data Science,and AI groups.
👉 Upcoming IT Events in Coimbra
Pros
- Regular meetups and university-linked events
- Networking with students and researchers
Cons
- Events are smaller and less frequent than in major hubs
- International exposure is limited
5) Cost of Living for IT Professionals — 8/10
Coimbra is affordable. Rent, food and daily expenses are significantly lower than Lisbon or Porto.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Affordable housing near city center
Cons
- Fewer premium services compared to larger cities
6) Housing and Rental Availability — 8/10
Housing is easier to find than in Lisbon or Porto, with good prices for modern apartments.
Tips
- Central apartments are available at reasonable rates
- Old university-area buildings may need renovation or better insulation
7) Internet and Remote-Work Infrastructure — 7/10
Reliable fiber and mobile networks are available, supporting remote work. Some older buildings may require checking for high-speed connections.
8) Coworkings — 5/10
Limited coworking spaces exist. Options are sufficient for occasional use but not as diverse as Lisbon or Porto.
9) English and Expat Friendliness — 6/10
English is mostly used in academia and IT teams; daily life may require Portuguese.
10) Bureaucracy and Services — 6/10
Processes are calm but slow. Some English support exists in universities and IT companies.
11) Transport and Connectivity — 7/10
Coimbra has a central location in Portugal with good rail and bus connections. No major airport, but Porto and Lisbon are reachable in 1–2 hours.
12) Work–Life Balance — 9/10
Quiet, low-stress environment ideal for focus and productivity.
13) Climate and Productivity — 7/10
Temperate climate: warm summers, cool and humid winters. Indoor heating may be needed in older apartments.
Final Take: Is Coimbra a Good City for IT?
Coimbra is ideal for remote professionals, students and early-career IT talent who value focus, affordability and quality of life.
Best suited for:
- Junior or student IT roles
- Remote workers looking for affordable, quiet cities
- University-linked projects or bootstrapped startups
Less ideal for:
- Professionals seeking frequent international networking
- Mid/Senior engineers wanting many local job opportunities
Related News