Wondering what is it like to live in Portugal? Find out all about the cost of living, paperwork, safety, and more.
8min
Would you like to live in Portugal? Many people share your dream. Over the last few decades, this charming country has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe for relocating, especially among digital nomads, remote workers, and retirees from northern European countries. Several factors have contributed to the rise of Portugal as a desirable place to live, which we’ll explore in this article.
If you’ve traveled to Portugal, you’ve likely already experienced some of the great pleasures of living in this country, such as its beaches, pleasant climate, cuisine, landscapes, and historical heritage.
But going there as a tourist is obviously not the same as living there, where other factors come into play—like work, healthcare, cost of living, safety, and residency paperwork.
Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons Portugal is such an attractive country to move to is its cost of living. Being one of the cheapest countries in Europe—and the most affordable in Western Europe—Portugal is appealing to many people who can work from anywhere without relying on the Portuguese labor market.
The same applies to retirees from countries with stronger economies, who prefer to live somewhere their pensions stretch further while also enjoying the many other benefits Portugal offers.
For example, a studio apartment in Lisbon, the most expensive city in Portugal, costs around €1000 per month, but rents are cheaper in cities like Braga, Aveiro, or Coimbra. The most commonly used website for rentals is idealista.pt. Other popular websites include OLX.pt, Imovirtual.com, and Casa.Sapo.pt.
Utility bills average between €50 and €150 per month. Grocery shopping in supermarkets or local markets is quite affordable as well. A meal at a simple restaurant costs between €8 and €15.
Among Portugal’s many benefits are its pleasant climate throughout most of the year, in most of the country, and its beaches, with a coastline stretching from north to south.
If you visit the Algarve region, located in southern Portugal, you’ll often hear both Portuguese and English spoken due to the large number of British residents who choose to live there. The sunny days and seaside lifestyle are a major draw.
Speaking of languages, unlike other countries like Italy or France, the Portuguese are more enthusiastic about speaking other languages, especially English and Spanish, so you won’t have so much trouble finding people who can communicate in another language.
Naturally, it’s up to you to learn their language, but this makes communication easier in your early days.
Safety is another positive aspect of living in Portugal, as it is one of the safest countries in the world. According to the Global Peace Index, Portugal frequently ranks in the top five, thanks to its low crime rates, political stability, and a generally peaceful society. Violent crime is rare, and most incidents are limited to petty theft, such as pickpocketing in tourist-heavy areas.
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Regarding the labor market, Portugal has seen a significant economic resurgence in recent years, with unemployment dropping from 17% in 2014 to the current 7%.
As expected, the low cost of living is accompanied by salaries that are among the lowest in the region. To give you an idea, the average salary in Portugal is only €22,900 annually. For this reason, moving there makes more sense for those with remote jobs, but not as much for people seeking local employment.
As it is the case worldwide, there is high demand in the technology sector, with salaries above the average.
U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to visit Portugal for short stays. They’re allowed to enter the country for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. If you’re from a different country, you’ll need to check whether you need to obtain a Schengen visa to go there as a tourist depending on your nationality.
However, if you plan to live in Portugal for a longer period of time, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit.
The country offers various visa types depending on your needs, such as residence visas, work visas, and family reunification visas. For stays exceeding three months, obtaining a Portuguese residence permit is mandatory. After living in Portugal with a valid residence permit for five years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Those looking to settle in Portugal long-term can explore several visa options tailored to different situations. A recently launched option is the Temporary Residence Visa (Visto de Estada Temporária), also known as the "digital nomad visa," as it’s geared to those with remote jobs and not for people intending to work locally.
This visa allows you to stay in Portugal for up to one year, but there are several requirements to be eligible. You’ll need to prove financial solvency (earning at least €2,800 per month in the last three months), hire health insurance for the first four months of your stay (you can get a discount by being a Worldpackers member), and prove that you work online. If it’s a remote job for a specific company, it cannot be a Portuguese company. Applications are made online through vistos.mne.gov.pt.
Once your visa is approved, you can stay in Portugal for 120 days, during which you must schedule an appointment to register as a resident at SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras).
With this visa, you can travel freely through the Schengen area like any European citizen.
Another option you might consider is the Job Search Visa (Visto de Procura de Trabalho), which allows you to stay in Portugal for 120 days (extendable by 60 more days) while you search for a job.
On the website of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you’ll find all the information regarding visas to help you figure out which one best suits your needs.
An interesting way to experience life in Portugal while spending very little money and worrying much less about bureaucracy is by volunteering or doing a work exchange program. This will allow you to travel economically, and during that period you can evaluate whether you’d like to live in Portugal long-term.
As part of a work exchange program through Worldpackers, you’ll help out for a few hours a day on a local non-profit project or small business in exchange for free accommodation and sometimes other benefits, like meals and tours.
The opportunities are diverse, ranging from being part of the staff at one of the best hostels in Lisbon to helping out at a food truck in the beautiful Azores Islands.
In addition to traveling without paying for accommodation, this is an opportunity to live with locals, which allows you to get to know their culture and learn the language—something that will be essential for your adaptation if you decide to move to Portugal later on.
You can do these volunteer programs without needing a residence permit or a special visa (unless your nationality requires a Schengen visa to enter Portugal), making it ideal if you’re on a backpacking trip.
Learn more about work exchange programs: How Worldpackers works
And check out some stories from fellow travelers who've done volunteer work:
There’s no shortage of beautiful places in Portugal, but choosing where to live goes beyond that. Consider your priorities to choose a destination that meets them as much as possible.
Having family or friends in a city is one of the most decisive factors for those who are thinking of moving abroad, as it’s a huge help in the initial stages. If you don’t know anyone there yet, the volunteering experience we’ve just mentioned might be a way to connect with locals and other expats.
Vacation destinations, where there are many job opportunities in the hospitality sector, might also be a good choice if you’re thinking of looking for work in Portugal.
These are some of the most popular places to live in Portugal:
In addition to being one of the most visited cities in Europe, the capital of Portugal is the most chosen by expats, and you’ll understand why as soon as you get to know it.
The wide avenues, beautiful buildings, and spacious squares in the lower part (the newest area of Lisbon) make a good match with the narrow, colorful passages and tiles of Alfama and the nightlife of Bairro Alto (the higher parts of the city).
Lisbon’s fantastic beaches, where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, are another reason it’s one of the best cities to live in Portugal – and in Europe as a whole.
Another great reason is the fast and affordable connection to other European countries, since its airport receives many low-cost flights. This makes it easy to visit countless places whenever you have at least a couple of days off.
Located on the banks of the Douro River, Portugal’s second most important city is famous for its historic district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its gastronomy. However, there are many more activities that will keep you entertained after work, such as tasting port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia, strolling along the coast at sunset in Foz do Douro, or visiting the beautiful villages in the Minho region.
Additionally, Porto is also an important hub for low-cost flights, so you don’t need to travel all the way to Lisbon for quick getaways to other countries.
Porto is an increasingly popular choice for those who want to live in a big city but with a more relaxed atmosphere than Lisbon.
In the heart of Minho, the green region in northern Portugal with valleys covered by vineyards, peaceful beaches, and small villages, Braga is nicknamed "the city of archbishops" due to the numerous historically important churches, including the Braga Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.
Aside from everything there is to explore in the city itself, you'll be close to Peneda-Gerês National Park, probably the country's most famous national park, perfect for hiking and camping. You can also easily reach the interesting region of Galicia, in Spain.
Braga is a great option if you want to live in a peaceful city that’s very close to Porto (50 km) but more affordable.
The traditional moliceiros (wooden boats) sailing through the canals and the pastel-colored art nouveau and art deco buildings are the classic postcard of Aveiro, a small city in Portugal full of history.
In addition to its cultural heritage, such as the Convento de Jesus and the Cathedral, which are examples of Portuguese Baroque, Aveiro is also popular for its nearby beaches. It’s a much less touristy alternative to the more famous Algarve region in the south.
As we mentioned earlier, the southernmost part of Portugal is highly chosen by foreigners who move to Portugal for its beaches and sunny days for most of the year.
Being such a popular destination among tourists and expats, it may not be the best place if you're looking to experience authentic Portuguese culture and traditions. However, it’s an area with many job opportunities in things related to tourism.
Its two main cities are Faro and Lagos, where most foreigners live. Naturally, this makes rental prices higher than in other parts of the country.
There are many opportunities for volunteering in exchange for accommodation in Faro and Lagos, from party hostels to holistic centers.
If you liked these tips on how to live in Portugal, follow us on social media for more travel tips and inspiration: we’re on Instagram and TikTok.
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