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In recent years, Portugal, with its pleasant climate, friendly culture and relatively low cost of living, has attracted a large number ofimmigrants. However, different cities and individual lifestyles can affect overall expenses. Then.Immigration to PortugalAfterward, how much does it really cost per month? What areas burn the most money? How can I save money? In this article, we will look at theRent, taxes, health care, daily spendingThe cost of living in Portugal is fully analyzed to help you make a more informed immigration decision.
1. Rental costs: Lisbon vs. Porto vs. Algarve
The rent isImmigration to PortugalOne of the biggest expenses afterward, prices vary significantly from city to city.
| municipalities | Downtown One Bedroom (€) | Suburban 1 bedroom (€) | Downtown Three Bedroom (€) | Suburban 3 bedroom (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon, capital of Portugal | 1,200 – 2,000 | 900 – 1,500 | 2,000 – 3,500 | 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Oporto | 900 – 1,500 | 700 – 1,200 | 1,500 – 2,500 | 1,200 – 2,000 |
| Algarve (Faro et al.) | 700 – 1,200 | 600 – 1,000 | 1,200 – 2,000 | 1,000 – 1,800 |
| Coimbra (university town) | 500 – 900 | 400 – 800 | 900 – 1,500 | 800 – 1,300 |
Rental Tip:
✅ Short term vs. long term: Portugal has a well-developed tourism industry and short-term rentals (Airbnb, etc.) are more expensive.Signing a long term lease (more than 1 year) can result in significant rent savingsThe
✅ Sharing a room saves money: If you are on a budget, you can reduce your rent and utility expenses by choosing to share your apartment with others.
✅ Avoid tourist areas: Rent is cheaper in non-core areas such as Almada in Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto.
2. Taxes: how does immigration status affect your taxes?
(1) Individual Income Tax (IRS)
Personal income tax in Portugal is calculated on a progressive basis, with rates ranging from **14.51 TP3T - 481 TP3T**, as follows:
| Annual income (€) | tax rate |
|---|---|
| 0 – 7,479 | 14.5% |
| 7,480 – 11,284 | 23% |
| 11,285 – 15,992 | 26.5% |
| 15,993 – 20,700 | 28.5% |
| 20,701 – 26,355 | 35% |
| 26,356 – 38,632 | 37% |
| 38,633 – 50,483 | 43.5% |
| 50,484 Above | 48% |
✅ NHR Tax Benefits: If you apply forNHR (Non-Habitual Resident) Tax SchemeYou can enjoy10 years of low tax rates(Fixed 20% tax rate for some occupations, passive income tax free or 10%).
(2) Value added tax (IVA)
Portugal has an excise tax (IVA) rate:
- Essential foodstuffs, medicines:: 6%
- Dining, Entertainment:: 13%
- General goods and services: 23%
3. Cost of care: public vs. private
Portugal's healthcare system includesPublic (SNS) and private healthcareThe
| Type of medical treatment | cost | population (esp. of a group of people) |
|---|---|---|
| public health care | As low as free | Residents, NHR immigrants, D7/D8 visa holders |
| Private hospitals | 50 - 100 Euro per visit | Those without SNS eligibility, those who want faster access to medical care |
| Private health insurance | 40 - 100 Euro/month | Private medical users, additional coverage |
✅ How can I save money on my healthcare?
- Residency status in Portugal (D7/D8 visas) provides access to public healthcare with very low overheads.
- buyingPrivate insurance(e.g., Medis, Multicare) to reduce the cost of care in private hospitals.
- chronic diseases, pregnancy tests, etc. can apply to the public health care system.No need to pay high private medical billsThe
4. Cost of daily living: food, drink, transportation, entertainment
(1) Food expenses
| foodstuffs | Supermarket prices (€) | Restaurant prices (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | 1.20 | – |
| Eggs (12) | 2.50 | – |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | 6 – 8 | – |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.50 | – |
| Restaurant lunch (regular) | – | 10 – 15 |
| Upscale restaurant dinner (2 persons) | – | 40 – 80 |
✅ Money Saving Tips::
- Supermarket (Pingo Doce, Lidl) shopping is cheaper than eating out.
- Buying local products (seafood, wine) is more cost effective than imported food.
(2) Transportation costs
| Transportation | Fees (€) |
|---|---|
| Monthly subway/bus pass | 40 – 50 |
| Starting fare for urban cabs | 3.50 |
| Urban cab per kilometer | 0.50 – 1.00 |
| Gasoline (1L) | 1.80 – 2.00 |
✅ Money Saving Tips::
- Purchase of monthly ticketsCheaper than buying a single ticketThe
- High Walk Score for Lisbon/PortoRenting in the city center reduces transportation expenses.
5. Summary: one-month cost-of-living estimate
| living category | Lisbon (€) | Porto (€) | Algarve (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1 residence in the city center) | 1,500 | 1,200 | 800 |
| Hydroelectric grid (single) | 100 | 100 | 90 |
| Food (supermarket shopping) | 200 – 300 | 200 – 300 | 200 – 300 |
| medical insurance | 50 – 100 | 50 – 100 | 50 – 100 |
| transportation | 40 – 50 | 40 – 50 | 40 – 50 |
| Entertainment/Dining | 150 – 300 | 120 – 250 | 100 – 200 |
| Total (single person cost of living) | 2,040 – 2,650 | 1,710 – 2,300 | 1,280 – 1,990 |
6. Conclusion:Immigration to PortugalIs life expensive?
Overall, Portugal'sThe cost of living is cheaper than most countries in Europe and the United States, but larger cities (such as Lisbon) are still more expensive.
Recommendations for cities that are good for money-saving immigrants:
- Oporto: Cheaper than Lisbon 20%, high quality of life.
- the Algarve (southern region of Portugal): Ideal for retirees, slow pace of life, cheap rent.
- Coimbra: University town with low rent for those on a budget.
