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LIVING IN PORTUGAL
Changing countries isn’t easy!
Starting all over again is a task that few can do successfully. In this article we will help you, with concrete data and figures, to prepare this great decision.
I’m Portuguese (from Lisbon) and moved to the UK in 2011. I lived there for 3 years and felt the difficulties of emigration.
One thing is certain: it will take a lot of organization, effort, some money and a lot, a lot of resistance! Are you ready? Great, let’s do it!
Variations in the cost of living
Portugal remains a country with many social (economic) differences. The differences are felt between the different regions of the country and often the differences are also very large within the same region. Renting a small apartment (50 square meters) in the center of Lisbon can cost more than 2000 euros per month.
But the same apartment on the outskirts of town can cost less than $500 a month. The difference is huge! For this reason we can say that it is essential to get a lot of information before making your decisions.
How much does it cost to rent a house in Portugal?
The price of renting a house in Portugal is very different. It depends on where you want to live in Portugal. If you come to Portugal to live in a village or a remote place, then know that 300 euros are enough to rent a house in good condition with 2 bedrooms and a living room. But this same house in the centre of Lisbon can cost you more than 2000 euros per month…
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO YOU NEED TO RENT A HOUSE IN LISBON?
Portugal is still a country where the rules and modes of operation are not uniform. When renting a house directly with the owner, he can demand all the documents that the law requires or he can demand absolutely nothing (if the rent is made without contract – still common practice in Portugal).
If the rent is made through a real estate agency, then have prepared the following documents:
- Passport
- TIN (Tax Identification Number)
- Security deposit (usually 2 months rent in advance)
- Guarantor
HOUSE PRICES IN PORTUGAL, EXAMPLES (FEBRUARY 2020)
PORTO
Type of property: Apartment with two living rooms and a bedroom
Campanhã: 550 euros (per month)
Vila do Conde: 650€
Ramalde: 750€
Boavista: de 850€ a 1500€
Foz do Douro: 2500€
CITY OF LISBON
Type of property: Apartment with two living rooms and a bedroom
Amadora: 800€
Parque das nações: 1100€
Benfica: 900€
Telheiras: 1300€
Santa Apolónia: 1000€
Avenidas Novas (coração de Lisboa): 1400€
RENT A ROOM
Sharing a house and renting a room is also a valid option for many students and also many professionals.
The price trend has followed the price trend of houses, i.e. a constant increase over the last years (until March 2020).
In Lisbon and Oporto, the price for a room varies between 380 euros and 500 euros (expenses included). The variation is dependent on the quality of the house/room, the location, the transport, and services nearby.
WHICH WEBSITES CAN YOU USE TO CONSULT THE PRICES OF THE HOUSES / ROOMS?
- Idealist
- Imovirtual
IS IT HARD TO FIND A HOUSE TO RENT?
Yes, it is difficult if you want to rent a house in a large urban center (Lisbon or Oporto) and if your budget is limited.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT PRICE OF HOUSES?
Since 2015 the price of houses has been rising in Portugal. However, it was in the years 2018 and 2019 that the most significant increases were registered. Here is the price per square meter (if you are thinking of buying a house).
From March 2020, Portugal (and the world) entered a new economic phase (Covid-19). House prices have slowly started to fall and it is believed that the price of housing will continue to fall over the coming months (or even years).
FIXED EXPENSES WITH THE HOUSE (water, light, other)
The following values are reference values per couple.
Light: 5O euros/month
Gas: 25 euros/month
Water: 30 euros/month
Television and Internet: 35 euros/month
FOOD COSTS
In Portugal, there is a very significant supply of supermarkets and there is no significant price difference between operators.
The difference to which you should pay attention is whether or not there are promotions. Every day there are different promotions in supermarkets. Keep an eye on these promotions because at the end of the month they mean a very significant saving in your budget.
A couple will spend an average of £400 per month on food (restaurants not included).
EAT IN RESTAURANTS IN PORTUGAL
Eating out (in restaurants) is an important part of Portuguese culture and a form of socialization. In Portugal, people come together to eat and to talk.
It is at the table that business is done and personal and family problems are solved.
There is a great offer in the restaurant area in Portugal and there are prices for all the wallets. If you choose to eat in a shopping center you can expect to pay between 7 and 10 euros per meal. If you choose to eat in a conventional restaurant the average price varies between 13 and 20 euros per person.
THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN PORTUGAL
The health system in Portugal is quite good. There is a public network of hospitals and health centers that all Portuguese citizens (or legally living in Portugal) can use. Whenever you use one of these services you will have to pay a moderating fee of 5 euros per consultation.
If you want to use the private health system, you should be aware that this system also has a lot of quality and that the average price of consultation can vary between 50 and 80 euros per consultation (dentists included).
LEISURE
The large urban centers in Portugal (Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra) have a very remarkable cultural offer. Cinemas, theatres, museums, bars, concerts, exhibitions are some examples of the offer at your disposal. A visit to the cinema costs about 6 euros. The theatre can cost between 10 and 20 euros. An entrance to a museum or an exhibition costs about 10 euros.
If your concept of leisure is more related to nightlife, then know that a beer in a bar costs between 1 and 3 euros (depending on the bar you frequent).
TRANSPORTATION IN PORTUGAL
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
In 2019 the Portuguese government operated a real revolution in the price of social passes in the metropolitan area of Lisbon and Oporto. As a result, citizens started paying only 40 euros per month to be able to use all public transport for the duration of 1 month.
This change meant for many families a saving of 100 euros or more per month. A measure that has improved the lives of many Portuguese (and foreigners living in Portugal) and led many people to leave their car at home.
OWN CAR
Buying a car in Portugal is expensive. A new low cylinder small car will cost between 11,000 and 15,000.
If your option is to buy a second-hand car, then prepare about 5000 euros to buy a small car about 8 years old in a reasonable state of repair.
But it’s not all bad news about own cars. Your car’s annual insurance will cost between 130 and 220 euros per year (depends on the driver’s history) and the road tax for a small car will cost between 15 and 40 euros per year.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM WAGE AND THE AVERAGE WAGE IN PORTUGAL? (before tax)
Portugal continues to have a low wage value when compared to other European countries. Many foreigners living in Portugal do not understand how the Portuguese live (survive) as house prices are quite high. Well, it is not easy…
CHANGES IN THE MINIMUM WAGE IN PORTUGAL
Do not forget that Portuguese workers receive this salary 14 times (Christmas bonus and holiday bonus)
COMPARISON OF MINIMUM WAGE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE (2020)
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN PORTUGAL EARN THE MINIMUM WAGE?
One in five Portuguese people receives the national minimum wage. This means that 720 thousand people in Portugal receive the minimum wage.
EVOLUTION OF AVERAGE WAGE IN PORTUGAL
STUDY IN PORTUGAL
If you are thinking of moving to Portugal to study, then know that the quality of education in Portugal is globally good.
There are, however, some universities that are more than good. They are great and are internationally referenced. The educational institutions that stand out positively are the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (in the area of economics and management) and the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (also in the same areas).
On the other hand, Portugal also has some private universities where the quality of their teaching is sufferable (for ethical reasons we will not mention the names of these organizations).
If you come to study at a Portuguese university, do your homework! Look for information about the quality of the university where you want to apply. Talk to former students and try to locate the ranking of that institution at European level.
COST OF LIVING PER PERSON
It is always difficult to find a reference number. It will naturally depend on each person’s lifestyle and the concept of quality of life that each of us has.
Thus, we risk saying that with 1000 euros per month it is already possible to have a very interesting quality of life in Portugal (even if you have to live in the suburbs of a large urban centre).
CONCLUSION
There are many elements to take into account when you want to “make the leap”. There are many hours to spend carefully considering all the options and all your decisions.
Living in Portugal can be a good option but it can also be a frustrating and negative option. Don’t rush and don’t lose patience in this process of searching for information.
Portugal is a safe, diverse country with great food and (some) professional opportunities. It is a perfect country for a digital nomad or for someone who can work remotely through your computer.
For those who come to Portugal in search of a job or a better life, the challenge is more difficult. If this is your case, then the key to your success lies in your planning and organization! Good luck!
