Background checks for hiring in Portugal
Unlock global background checking processes you can rely on and repeat with Zinc.
Checks and features
Compliant and consistent Portuguese background checks
Thorough and quick criminal checks
Run a media search across 500,000+ public sources in minutes instead of waiting on a certificado de registo criminal for days.
Dedicated support for compliant background screening
Get support from Zinc’s legal, compliance, and data security team to help you understand Código do Trabalho Art.17’s proportionality and necessity requirements on every check.
Centralised reporting
View every check, progress, and candidate record in one dashboard. Plus, Zinc integrates directly with 20+ ATSs and HRISs at no extra cost to send check results straight to your preferred platform.
9.4
/10
46
minutes
Average criminal check completion
23
days
Average education check completion
Compliance you can trust
Zinc's dedicated team of legal and compliance experts helps you stay in line with Código do Trabalho, so that you ask for only the necessary information. We'll help you build checks packages that work for you, so you can guess less and get new hires started faster.
Tech-led checks, same-day results
Zinc's fast, tech-led checks return same-day results for Portugal's criminal check. It runs as a public-information media search across 500,000+ sources instead. Clear results are resolved automatically, and anything flagged for extra attention is left for your final decision.
One platform for every market
Run your Portuguese hiring alongside every other country you screen in, all from a single dashboard with audit-ready records. Zinc integrates with 20+ ATS and HRIS systems at no extra cost, so you don't have to constantly switch between multiple platforms.
“Zinc supports international checks and is ideal for companies with global offices or cross-border employees. It enables admins to consider checks that display concerns and leave a comment upon review.”
Checks that work everywhere you do
Full visibility, transparent pricing, and adaptable checks for borderless hiring.
Industry-leading global turnaround times
Adaptive checks, not extra admin
Integrated with your HR tech stack
Truly transparent pricing
Pricing
Built for global teams
Whether you're a growing team or an enterprise hiring across borders, Zinc has a plan for you.
Under 20 hires annually
Pay As You Grow
Get started in minutes. Our Pay As You Grow plan is built for lower hiring volumes — a flat rate per check, with no hidden costs or setup fees.
Start checking in minutes, no setup needed
Flat rates per check, no hidden fees
Pay only for what you check, every month
20+ hires annually
Custom solutions
For larger volumes, our experts build a plan around your needs. Credit is flexible with your hiring and never expires, with integrations, setup, training, and support all included for free.
A custom plan built around your hiring
Credit pool that rolls over and never expires
Integrations, setup, and training included for free
“Zinc is so user friendly for companies to use, issue checks and review results efficiently. It integrates perfectly into the rest of your HR tech stack meaning a smooth employee onboarding experience and less administrative time for the HR team.”
What background checks are legally permitted in Portugal?
Portugal's Labour Code (Código do Trabalho, Art.17) says employers can't require private-life data unless it's strictly necessary for the role, and they need written justification.
Screening is common in regulated or sensitive sectors like finance, healthcare, security, and roles involving minors, but it isn't standard for every hire. The real question employers face is what the legal basis is for a specific check. Zinc's compliance team helps you navigate Código do Trabalho, Art.17 and answer that question with confidence.
Does Zinc's credit check affect a candidate's credit score in Portugal?
No. Zinc's credit check for Portugal uses public adverse financial information from the Bank of Portugal, covering insolvencies, loans, and debts going back to 2006, accessed with the candidate's consent.
It leaves no footprint on the candidate's own credit report and doesn't affect their creditworthiness.
What right to work documents does Zinc accept in Portugal?
Portuguese citizens can use a Portuguese passport, an EEA or Swiss passport, or a National Identity Card. EEA and Swiss nationals can use their National Identity Card. Non-EEA nationals need an EU Blue Card, Work Visa, or Residence Permit.
All documents upload securely through Zinc, and sensitive candidate data is deleted 120 days after the screening process is completed.
Can Zinc run checks for our Portuguese employees alongside our global workforce?
Yes, that's exactly what Zinc is built for. Your Portuguese hiring sits on the same platform as every other country you screen in, with one dashboard instead of separate vendors per market.
All your checks progress is available in a centralised dashboard, including country-by-country breakdowns. If you have multiple hiring teams globally, user groups allow you to share checks packages across Zinc without exposing candidate data to users who don’t need to see it.