Graduated from the Cascais Professional Theatre School, Rafael has received training from several professionals, notably Ricardo Neves-Neves, Cláudia Semedo, Miguel Seabra, Ana Nave, and Luís Barros. In 2021, he received the Fala-me Disso Award from Companhia de Actores.

In theatre, his work includes being directed by Sofia Ângelo in Queda Para a Morte (2023, MATRACA), Tobias Monteiro in Comédias para Todo o Serviço (2024, Teatro Experimental de Cascais), Ricardo Neves-Neves in Maria da Fonte (2024, Coliseu do Porto), and Teresa Gafeira in A Música Mágica de Mozart (Teatro Municipal Joaquim Benite).

Rafael is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Companhia de Teatro 100 Dramas, where he directed My Name Is Rachel Corrie (2025).

He has worked as an assistant director to Rui Melo on Bridezilla and to Ricardo Neves-Neves on O Quarto e o Porteiro.

In television and film, he has participated in projects such as N00B, a fiction series for RTP produced by CREart; Maxakali or The Dance of a Lifetime, an international short film directed by Mattheo Manticello; and Ruído by Bruno Nogueira for RTP. Rafael has also participated in several conferences and talks as a speaker, notably at TEDxOeirasED, with a published TED Talk.