Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Portugal

Portugal remains one of the most popular destinations for moving to Southern Europe. The country's capital, Lisbon, combines the dynamics of a European metropolis with the comfort of living near the ocean coast. Lisbon is located on the coast of the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The country's business, cultural, and academic life is concentrated here. The city offers a huge selection of shops, restaurants, private and public medical clinics, international education, and highly developed public transportation.

But how expensive is it to live in Lisbon today? How can a foreigner legally move to Portugal, what rules apply to work, which professions are in demand, and what income is required for a normal life? How much do groceries, restaurants, transport, healthcare, and apartment rentals cost? We will cover these questions using Lisbon and current legislative conditions as an example.

For rental and daily expenses, estimated market ranges are used: the actual price depends on the neighborhood, season, property condition, and the specific landlord.

How to Move to Portugal with Minimal Costs

Entry rules and the allowable length of stay in Portugal depend on your citizenship: EU or EEA citizens have the right to free movement, while third-country nationals enter on a Schengen visa (or visa-free regime, if applicable) for up to 90 days per 180-day period. However, a short-term stay and the right to legal work or long-term residence are separate legal issues.

Portugal offers a clear line of long-term Type D national visas followed by obtainment of a residence permit (TRP). All immigration and status processing matters are administered by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo).

For non-EU citizens, Portuguese law provides several main grounds:

• Subordinate Employment (D1 Visa): Requires a signed employment contract or an official job offer from a Portuguese employer.
• Entrepreneurship and Freelance (D2 Visa): Suitable for opening a business in Portugal or for independent specialists (independent professions).
• Remote Work / Nomads (Digital Nomad Visa – D8 Visa): One of the most popular options for highly qualified specialists. Requires proof of remote income from sources outside Portugal amounting to at least 4 minimum Portuguese salaries per month (from €3,280+ per month).
• Passive Income (D7 Visa): Suitable for financially independent individuals (pension, dividends, rental income from abroad). Income requirement is at least 1 minimum Portuguese salary for the main applicant (€820+ per month) plus additions for family members.

Since 2024, Portugal has officially abolished the "expression of interest" (manifestação de interesse) — the procedure for legalizing from within the country on a tourist visa. Now, legal relocation requires obtaining the corresponding Category D visa at a consulate in your country of residence prior to entry.

For remote specialists, the situation looks most comfortable. If your primary income comes from a foreign employer or clients, the Digital Nomad Visa (D8) allows you to live in the capital by the ocean without being tied to the Portuguese job market. As for real estate, the Golden Visa program for residential property purchases in Portugal is completely closed. Buying an apartment solely for residence permit purposes is no longer possible. Therefore, at the initial stage, almost all relocators rent housing, get acquainted with Lisbon's neighborhoods, and only then decide on a purchase.

In terms of starting budget, moving to Lisbon requires a solid financial cushion: main upfront costs include visa fees, flights, rental housing (often requiring 2–3 deposits plus the first month's rent in advance), connectivity, household purchases, and a financial reserve.

In-Demand Professions in Portugal

Lisbon is the economic hub of Portugal, where the technology sector, startup ecosystem, tourism, banking, and international services are actively growing.

For skilled professionals, remote work targeting US, UK, or Northern European markets is an excellent fit. IT, design, marketing, and analytics allow you to earn international-level income while living in Portugal. The salary ranges below serve as a benchmark for both the local Portuguese market (after taxes) and the international remote segment:

High Demand + Good Prospects

For a relocator in Lisbon, the most sustainable model is often a combination of living in the capital while working remotely for a foreign company or working at an international hub based in Portugal.

High Demand, but Additional Requirements for Foreigners

In regulated fields (medicine, law, engineering), foreigners face a complex diploma recognition procedure, required professional qualification exams, and mandatory high-level proficiency in Portuguese (B2–C1).

High Demand + Relatively Low Salary

Given the high cost of rental housing in Lisbon, living in the capital solely on a minimum or low-to-mid local salary (€820–1,000) will be extremely difficult without room sharing.

Cost of Living in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the most expensive locations in Portugal. Although supermarket groceries remain relatively inexpensive by European standards, rental costs and service prices have increased significantly in recent years. Current analytics services, including Numbeo, estimate base living costs for one person without rent at approximately €700–850 per month.

Groceries

Lisbon has an excellent network of supermarkets (Continente, Pingo Doce, Auchan, Lidl, Mercadona), as well as numerous local markets called Mercado. With mostly home cooking, it is reasonable for one person to budget around €250–350 per month for groceries. A couple can expect around €450–600. Portugal offers an excellent selection of affordable fresh fish, seafood, cheeses, and local wines.

Cafes and Restaurants

Lunch in a simple traditional Portuguese restaurant with a daily set menu costs €9–13 per person. Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant with wine will cost around €40–60. If you dine out 2–3 times a week, it is reasonable to budget about €120–220 per month per person in addition to groceries.

Transport

Lisbon has a great public transportation system: metro, buses, trams, suburban trains, and ferries. A unified monthly pass, Navegante Metropolitano (valid on all transport modes throughout the Greater Lisbon region), costs €40 per month (€30 for Lisbon municipal routes). Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt are more affordable than in Northern Europe: a short trip across town costs €5–10. An additional €30–60 per month can be budgeted for occasional rides.

Healthcare

Portugal operates a National Health Service (SNS). Residents with a TRP have access to public clinics, where medical care is provided for free or for minimal co-payments. Private healthcare is also very popular due to short waiting times. Private medical insurance (CUF, Luz Saúde, etc.) costs between €30 and €70 per month per person, depending on age and coverage.

Entertainment

Entertainment in Lisbon includes museums, concerts, surfing, parks, and trips to ocean beaches such as Cascais and Costa da Caparica. For a quiet lifestyle, roughly €100–180 per month is sufficient. With more active leisure, the budget can increase to €200–350.

Overall, average base costs per person come to around €600–850 per month (excluding rent). However, housing is the largest expense item in Lisbon.

Apartment Rental Costs in Lisbon

Renting housing in Lisbon is the most expensive part of the budget. Due to high demand, immigration, and tourism, prices have risen significantly in recent years.

On real estate portals Idealista and Imovirtual, long-term rentals are distributed as follows:

• Studio (T0) or 1-bedroom apartment (T1): from €900–1,200 in residential or peripheral areas (Benfica, Lumiar, Areeiro) and from €1,200–1,600 in the city center or prestigious districts (Saldanha, Baixa, Parque das Nações).
• 2-room apartment with a separate bedroom and living room (T1 / T2): Practical benchmark for comfortable long-term living – €1,100–1,500 per month.
• 3-room apartment with two bedrooms (T2): suitable for a couple needing an office or for a family. Range for long-term rental – €1,400–2,000 per month.

Utilities (electricity, water, gas) and internet are billed separately. Portuguese homes often lack central heating, so electricity bills (space heaters) can rise in winter. For a standard-sized apartment, utility bills average around €90–150 per month + internet/TV (€35–45).

Monthly Expenses for One Person

Let's compile a practical budget for a single person living in Lisbon long-term, renting a standard T1 apartment (1+1), cooking at home, occasionally dining out, and maintaining a reasonable lifestyle.

For a standard, comfortable lifestyle, a single person in Lisbon should budget approximately €1,900–2,400 per month including rent. With a budget-conscious approach (renting a room for €500–650 or a modest studio on the outskirts), it is possible to manage on €1,400–1,600.

Monthly Expenses for a Couple

For a couple, expenses increase, but not double: rent remains a primary expense, utility bills grow moderately, and part of the household costs are shared.

A practical benchmark for a couple is approximately €2,500–2,900 per month when renting a T1 apartment and around €3,000–3,500 when renting a more spacious T2.

Buying Real Estate in Lisbon

Lisbon remains an attractive European real estate market both for personal residence and investment. Despite the elimination of the Golden Visa route through real estate, market capitalization and rental demand remain high.

The average price per square meter in Lisbon ranges around €3,800–6,500/m² depending on the area and property condition. In these conditions, purchasing property both for personal living and as an investment is worth considering.

For instance, in promising Lisbon suburbs where housing demand consistently exceeds supply, LDV Invest is developing a boutique gated condominium consisting of 6 exclusive villas near Quinta de Fez. It is an ideal blend of privacy, elegance, and modern comfort, perfectly suited for both personal residence and protected private investment in a high European standard of living.

The Bottom Line

Lisbon is ideal for those seeking a comfortable, safe European capital with a mild climate, ocean access, and developed infrastructure. Long-term rentals for a T1 apartment in the city can realistically be found from €1,000–1,300 per month.

For a single person, a practical budget for everyday living is around €1,900–2,400 per month including rent. For a couple, it is approximately €2,500–2,900 in a T1 or €3,000–3,500 in a T2. Job-wise, Lisbon offers a growing local market (IT, services, tourism), though local Portuguese salaries are lower on average than in Northern Europe. Therefore, the most advantageous strategy for foreign professionals remains working remotely for the international market or relocating under the Digital Nomad Visa (D8).

When planning your move, keep in mind that legalizing in Portugal requires obtaining a Category D national visa in your country of origin prior to travel, and processing documents with AIMA can take a considerable amount of time.