Stuart Page, from Ipswich, Suffolk, flew from Stansted to Lisbon on 20 April 2016 to take part in a work-accommodation exchange scheme on a farm in Torres Novas.
His family say they alerted the authorities after he failed to make any form of contact with them or his friends since May.
Speaking to The Portugal News on Tuesday, Mr. Page’s sister said “something must have happened to make him vanish from the face of the earth like this.”
Lindsay Ramsey said her brother’s phone has been switched off for almost five months and there has been no activity on his social media pages.
“We got a few emails after he arrived in Portugal and his last cash withdrawal was made on 9 June, but his phone has been switched off since early May,” she said, adding: “After he arrived in Portugal he said he was going to spend a few days in Lisbon before going to the farm in Torres Novas.”
She claims “police have spoken to the owner of the farm, who said he never turned up.”
Mr. Page’s trip to Portugal was intended to be the first step towards a “fresh start” after he sold his flat 18 months ago.
His sister recalls: “Stuart had travelled before and always wanted to work abroad. A work colleague of mine had travelled Europe the previous summer doing the same thing, so when Stuart got a place at the farm in Portugal he felt it was a good opportunity. He was going to be picking olives and figs, there’s no payment but they provide accommodation.”
The arrangements were made via website HelpX.com, which describes itself as “an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.”
The website says it serves “primarily as a cultural exchange for working holidaymakers who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience.”
In a typical arrangement, it elaborates, the helper works an average of four hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts.
“It is out of character for him to do this,” Ms. Ramsay states, stressing “he is incredibly close to our parents.”
“We are very concerned for him”, she emphasises.
Stuart Page is described as 5ft 11in tall and of medium build, with mid brown hair and blue eyes.
His disappearance is also logged with the Lucie Blackman Trust (www.lbtrust.org), an organisation set up to support British nationals in crisis overseas.
A spokesperson for the Suffolk Constabulary told The Portugal News, “Stuart Page aged 36 from Ipswich was reported as missing to Suffolk Police on 18 May 2016. It is believed that Stuart travelled to Portugal at the beginning of May and is thought to still be abroad.
“Police are liaising with authorities in Portugal to locate Stuart whilst carrying out their own inquiries in the UK.”
The British Embassy in Lisbon said “consular colleagues have been providing support to the family of a British national reported missing in Portugal.”