Cost of living in Portugal

Cost of living in Portugal (2025)

Do you dream of living and working in Portugal? Can you already picture yourself enjoying the wonderful climate, the welcoming culture and the relaxed lifestyle? Good news: living and working in Portugal is not only fantastic, but also very affordable, especially compared to other European countries.

Living in Portugal: rental prices

The cost of housing in Portugal is very attractive. For around €800-€1200 per month, you can live comfortably, including rent, food and leisure activities. In cities such as Porto and Coimbra, you can rent a comfortable apartment from around €450 per month. If you opt for the capital Lisbon, you can expect to pay around €750 per month for a two-room apartment in the city centre. Would you prefer to share an apartment? Then you will pay an average of only €400 per month. And if you dream of owning your own home, in smaller towns you can sometimes buy a nice house for less than the price of a new car.

Cost of groceries in Portugal

Shopping for groceries in Portugal is not only inexpensive, but also delicious thanks to the fresh, local produce. You can buy basic items such as fruit, vegetables and bread for very little money at local markets. Expect to pay around €1-€2 for a loaf of bread and €1-€3 per kilo for fruit and vegetables. Meat has become slightly more expensive and costs an average of £13 per kilo. For wine lovers, Portugal is a paradise: good wines can be bought from £4 per bottle and local beer costs only £1 to £2.

Be sure to visit local markets such as the Mercado do Campo de Ourique and Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon for affordable and fresh local produce.

Going out in Portugal

Do you enjoy nightlife? Then Portugal is the place for you! Cities such as Lisbon and Porto have countless bars and clubs. Admission to clubs is often free if you arrive before 1 a.m., especially on weekdays. Taxis are very affordable: around £0.80 per kilometre, so getting home safely after a night out is never expensive.

Drink prices

In addition to beer and wine, Portugal offers delicious cocktails at attractive prices. A good cocktail usually costs between €6 and €12. During events such as Cocktail Week in Lisbon (usually at the end of April), you can even take advantage of great offers such as two cocktails for the price of one. In the Algarve, you can enjoy excellent wine for only €1.50 per glass and local beer for €2.

Eating out in Portugal

Eating out in Portugal is very affordable and always enjoyable. You can eat a full meal in a local restaurant for €10-€15 per person. Order a ‘prato do dia’ (daily special) and enjoy a delicious local meal for less than €8. Fancy some fast food?

A meal at McDonald’s or Burger King costs around £6 and a simple snack such as a cheeseburger is only £2.

It is customary to tip around 10% in restaurants.

Haven’t found a job yet but already convinced about life in Portugal? Check out our latest vacancies and start your Portuguese adventure!