Cost of Living in Portugal
What a month actually costs, with rent and salary context
Portugal is cheap relative to northern Europe and expensive relative to Portuguese salaries. Outside Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, a couple with foreign income lives comfortably on a budget that would be tight in most of western Europe.
| Average net salary | Roughly EUR 1,100–1,400 per month source |
| 1-bed rent, central Lisbon | Commonly EUR 1,100–1,500 |
| 1-bed rent, Braga or Coimbra | Commonly EUR 550–750 |
| VAT | 23% standard rate |
| Utilities, small flat | EUR 90–140 per month |
Monthly budget, one person
| Item | Lisbon (EUR) | Coimbra (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom | 1,250 | 620 |
| Utilities and internet | 135 | 120 |
| Groceries | 300 | 270 |
| Transport pass | 40 | 30 |
| Phone | 15 | 15 |
| Total before discretionary spending | 1,740 | 1,055 |
The tax picture changed
The non-habitual resident regime, which gave a flat rate on many foreign income streams for ten years, closed to new arrivals. Its replacement is narrower and aimed at scientific research, higher education, and qualifying innovation roles rather than retirees or general remote workers.
Assume standard Portuguese progressive rates unless a professional confirms otherwise for your situation. Rates reach the high forties at upper incomes, and social security for the self-employed is a significant additional cost. Plan the tax before you plan the move.
Where the value is
The interior and the north — Braga, Coimbra, Viseu, Guarda — offer housing at half or a third of Lisbon prices with the same healthcare and the same passport at the end. The trade-off is less English, fewer international schools, and thinner flight connections.
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Official sources
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.