Discover the opportunities and benefits that the global market has to offer IT professionals and get the position and salary you’ve been longing for once and for all.
It is understandable that IT professionals look for opportunities in the international market, as the living conditions and salary are more advantageous in both Europe and North America.
The IT field is one of the fastest growing in the world over the last 20 years. In the last 3 years, mainly due to the pandemic, the demand for IT professionals has increased significantly around the world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an average of over 317,000 new openings per year between 2024 and 2034, with the United States and Europe being the regions in most need of skilled labor.
Although they are certain that they want better salaries and living conditions, one question that hangs over the heads of the best IT professionals is exactly which country offers the best working conditions, opportunities, and benefits as a whole.
Challenges to start an International IT career
Even though the world is looking for qualified IT professionals, searching on your own for the best positions in distant countries can be challenging, as it requires having some networking in the region.
Another key factor for landing an IT job abroad is English proficiency. The IT market is highly globalized, so even if the official language of the country you’re targeting is Portuguese (Portugal, for example), English fluency is essential to access the best opportunities.
That’s why finding a job through companies like KWAN—which help with visa applications, housing search, and even improving your English—can make the start of your international career much smoother.
But on the other hand, which country should you choose? Let’s explore the opportunities and benefits each foreign region offers to these professionals.
IT Career in Latin America
The IT market in Latin America has never been as dynamic, with countries such as Brazil, Peru, Panama, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina showing a growing demand for technology professionals. In fact, the IT market in Latin America is projected to reach around $140 billion by 2027, with continuous growth expected.
When it comes to building a career in IT in Latin America, Brazil is certainly the top choice. Not only does it have the highest projected growth in the sector, but it also offers the highest salaries for IT professionals compared to other countries in the region.
The main challenge arises when we compare Brazilian salaries and working conditions with those in other European countries or the United States. In countries like Portugal or the U.S., IT salaries can be 3 to 4 times higher than those offered in Brazil. Moreover, these countries are more developed, offering better quality of life and greater safety.
The primary reason for a Brazilian IT professional to choose a career within Latin America rather than abroad is often the desire to stay closer to family and friends.
IT Career in the United States
As mentioned before, the global IT market is booming, with a high growth rate and an increasing demand for qualified professionals. In the United States, the IT market is highly prioritized and a very attractive destination for professionals looking for a job abroad.
The United States’s IT services market size is estimated at $490.86 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach $671.57 billion by 2030. Plus, the median annual wage was $105,990, in 2024, for this group of professionals. We are talking about professionals such as web developers, information & security analysts, software developers, data scientists, network architects, IT managers, and many other areas.
The biggest technology companies in the world are in the USA, either because they were born there or because they have created branches in the country. For example, Silicon Valley is the birthplace of great innovations and of some of the biggest technology and Internet companies in the world. The opportunity to work with the big companies in the global IT industry is real when we talk about the USA.
Two challenges arise when looking for an IT job in the United States: the visa and English proficiency. For professionals, obtaining a work visa can be relatively straightforward, especially if there is already some form of pre-existing agreement or contract between the company and the employee.
IT Career in Europe
Several countries in Europe are looking for IT professionals to fill the great demand in the region. Countries like Germany, Estonia, Spain, and Portugal offer great salaries and quality-of-life opportunities for qualified professionals who are interested in filling these positions.
Among the many options of countries to work in IT in Europe, Portugal is certainly a very advantageous option, and we will explain why in a moment. Although in most countries there is the experience of living in a first-world country, enjoying a high quality of life, and earning in Euros, Portugal offers several additional advantages for Brazilian professionals.
Lower Cultural Shock
The connection between Portugal and Brazil goes beyond language, and moving to Portugal would certainly be a lighter transition compared to relocating to other European countries. Portugal has a large Brazilian community, which makes the cultural adjustment much easier. Many aspects of Brazilian culture are present in Portugal, such as Brazilian restaurants, samba parties, and a variety of other cultural and entertainment options that have been brought from Brazil.
People Speak Our Language
Although English is still necessary to work in the IT sector in Portugal, daily life is lived in Portuguese. Unlike other European countries, in Portugal Brazilians can communicate in their native language daily, whether going to a bar or shopping at the supermarket.
Communication difficulties in English at work won’t be a problem for qualified professionals, as KWAN provides full support, including classes and courses designed specifically to address language gaps.
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world
Portugal is the 7th safest country in the world. This means that you and your family can walk alone peacefully at night in most places (whether you are male or female), you can use your cell phone in public without fear of being mugged, you can withdraw money from the ATMs that are available in many outdoor places, and overall you won’t have to worry about security as much as in other countries.
Mild weather
Portugal is one of the countries in Europe with the mildest climate: winters are not as cold as in the Nordic and Central European countries, and summers are hot, but not so hot that you need air conditioning at home. As for the sun, it shines about 300 days a year!
Visa support
When you choose to start your international career with KWAN, you can count on our team of lawyers to help you obtain your visa. In addition, we have a special financial aid package to help you monetarily with everything that moving to Portugal involves.
Lastly, find out how much an IT professional earns in Portugal.
Conclusion: International IT Career, where to go?
As seen in this article, the options for working in IT abroad are wide, but the United States and Portugal stand out as the most advantageous destinations for Brazilian professionals.
Although salaries in the United States are higher and growth opportunities may be more attractive, Portugal is a destination where the cultural adjustment would be much easier, the language is the same, and safety is not a concern, providing a higher quality of life.
Choosing the best place is a personal decision, but one thing is certain: IT professionals who want to work abroad will greatly benefit from KWAN’s support. KWAN connects qualified professionals with the best European companies, provides full support for obtaining visas, and even helps with English learning—making the entire process of working in another country smoother and more secure.
The dream of an international career is closer than ever! Check out which opportunities are available!