Cost of Living in Portugal in 2026: How Much Do You Need Per Month?

Coffee on a sunny terrace easily fits into the dream of living in Portugal. Rent, winter electricity bills, and daycare costs usually come into the picture later—while preparing for the move. That’s when you need to figure out how much your usual standard of living will cost in your chosen city. Let’s break down the cost of living in Portugal by major expense categories and compare budgets for those moving alone, as a couple, or with children.

In a previous article, we discussed the world’s best cities to live in, according to Generation Z.

Planning to move abroad and calculating your budget? Also consider the requirements for legal residency: grounds for obtaining a residence permit, proof of income, and necessary documents. Visit World’s immigration lawyers will help you understand the available relocation options and the requirements for your specific situation so you can plan the application process and related expenses in advance.

How much does it cost to live in Portugal per month?

For a single person renting a private apartment, the cost of living in Portugal in 2026 can be roughly estimated at €1,400–2,200 per month. The main reason for this difference is housing: the same budget in Braga and Lisbon offers different possibilities.

You can use the following ranges to plan your move:

1. Single person – €1,400–2,200: a small apartment, mostly home-cooked meals, public transportation, and moderate leisure expenses

2. Couple – €2,000–3,000: a shared one-bedroom apartment, groceries for two, utilities, communication, and everyday purchases

3. A family of two adults and one child – €2,700–4,000: a two-bedroom apartment, food, transportation, and typical expenses for a school-age child

What is included in the monthly budget?

The amounts listed cover rent, utilities, internet, cell phone service, groceries, public transportation, and minor personal expenses. The calculation for a family assumes the child attends a public school.

You’ll need to increase your budget for living in Portugal if you plan to own a car, have private health insurance, or pay for daycare or an international school. A security deposit for an apartment, moving expenses, paperwork, and furniture purchases are also calculated separately.

Learn more about key changes to the Portuguese citizenship application process in 2026 by following the link.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Portugal?

In September 2026, the median rental price for apartments in Portugal, as listed in ads, was €18.3 per m² per month. However, the specific city’s rate is a more important indicator for calculating costs: in Lisbon, it was more than double that of Braga.

Apartment Prices in Different Cities

For comparison, let’s consider a 60 m² apartment. If we multiply the city’s rate per square meter by this area, we get the following estimates:

- Lisbon – €1,506 per month, at a rate of €25.1/m²

- Porto – €1,140, at a rate of €19/m²

- Coimbra – €768, at a rate of €12.8/m²

- Braga – €642, at a rate of €10.7/m²

This is a rough estimate based on data from Idealista and does not represent the average price of 60-square-meter apartments. Specific offers depend on the neighborhood, the condition of the building, furnishings, and the lease term. These figures reflect prices listed in ads, not the amounts specified in signed leases.

What should you check before renting?

When comparing apartments for rent in Portugal, pay attention to the total cost of living and the apartment’s amenities:

1. Utility bills: clarify whether water, electricity, gas, and internet are included in the listed price

2. Furniture and appliances: check for a refrigerator, washing machine, stove, and sleeping arrangements

3. Heating and window condition: inspect the apartment for signs of moisture and ask about utility bills for the winter months

4. Availability: make sure the apartment is available for the period you need

5. Transportation: calculate the cost and duration of daily commutes from your chosen neighborhood

Compare apartments based on the total cost of “rent + utilities + transportation.” Cheaper housing far from work or school may turn out to be less cost-effective once transportation costs are factored in.

Previously, we discussed real estate prices in Portugal: how much housing costs in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve in 2026.

Utilities and Recurring Payments in Portugal

Utilities in Portugal for an 85 m² apartment cost approximately €80–200 per month. The Numbeo average is about €121 for electricity, heating, cooling, water, and trash collection. These figures are based on user data and are not fixed rates.

Including communication costs, monthly payments total:

- Utilities – about €121

- Home internet – about €36, ranging from €25 to €59

- Mobile plan with calls and at least 10 GB—about €18 per person, ranging from €10 to €35

Based on these averages, the total comes to approximately €175 per month with one mobile number or €193 with two. Actual costs depend on usage and the plans selected.

How to estimate electricity bills?

To calculate utility costs in Portugal, ask the landlord for bills from the summer and winter months. Find out how the water is heated and how the apartment is heated.

You can calculate the impact of an electric heater separately: a 2 kW appliance running at full power for five hours a day will consume 300 kWh over 30 days. Multiply this amount by the price per kWh in your contract. This is additional consumption, excluding lighting, cooking, and other appliances.

We previously reported that Lisbon was named the happiest city for tourists in 2026.

Grocery and Food Prices in Portugal

An approximate grocery budget in Portugal for one person is €220–300 per month, based primarily on home-cooked meals. Visits to cafes, alcohol, and household goods are not included in this amount.

How much do groceries cost in supermarkets?

As of October 2026, grocery prices in Portugal are approximately:

- Milk, 1 L – €0.95

- Bread, 500 g – €1.43

- Rice, 1 kg – €1.42

- Eggs, 12 pieces – €3.05

- Chicken breast, 1 kg – €6.71

- Beef, 1 kg – €13.26

- Cheese, 1 kg – €10.26

- Apples, 1 kg – €1.97

- Tomatoes, 1 kg – €2.18

- Potatoes, 1 kg – €1.50

How much do cafes and restaurants cost?

Lunch at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €12, while a combo meal at a fast-food chain costs €9. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about €45 without drinks; a cappuccino costs €1.90.

If you eat out five times a week, your expenses for 20 workdays will total €240. Four dinners for two over the course of a month will add another €180 to a couple’s budget.

Learn more about the new immigration rules for highly skilled professionals in Portugal by following the link.

How much does transportation cost in Portugal?

For public transportation in Portugal, specifically in Lisbon and Porto, you should budget €30–40 per month per adult at the standard fare. The cost of a pass depends on its coverage area.

Monthly Passes

The following options are available for daily travel:

- Lisbon: Navegante Municipal – €30, for travel within a single municipality

- Lisbon: Navegante Metropolitano – €40, travel within the 18 municipalities of the metropolitan area

- Porto: Andante 3Z – €30, travel within three selected adjacent zones

- Porto: Andante Metropolitano – €40, travel throughout the entire Andante network in the metropolitan area

The two standard passes with the broadest coverage will cost a couple €80 per month. In Lisbon, a single Carris/Metro ticket costs €1.90: forty such trips will cost €76 per person.

Costs of Owning a Car

The cost of owning a car in Portugal includes fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking, and toll roads.

At an estimated gas price of €1.88 per liter, a monthly mileage of 1,000 km, and fuel consumption of 6 L/100 km, fuel alone will cost about €113.

Parking near home and work, as well as toll sections along your daily route, should be added separately. The annual cost of insurance and scheduled maintenance can be divided by 12 to include them in your monthly budget.

In our previous article, we discussed Portugal’s toll roads in 2026, Via Verde, traffic rules, fines, and parking regulations.

Health Insurance and Medical Care in Portugal

To use the public healthcare system (SNS), foreigners are assigned a patient number—número de utente. Eligibility for state-funded medical care is determined on a case-by-case basis: the number itself does not guarantee coverage. Coverage terms must be clarified during registration at a medical facility.

Private health insurance in Portugal is an additional expense. For example, Médis offers a basic plan with hospitalization coverage starting at €10.57 per month. Consultations under this plan are billed at the network’s standard rates. For a couple aged 30 with a two-year-old child, the company quotes a price starting at €40.23 per month.

The cost of the policy depends on age and coverage. With Médis, the waiting period for hospitalization is 90 days, and for outpatient care—60 days, if included in the policy. Copayments for appointments and tests should also be factored into treatment costs.

Before your trip, get medical insurance for your stay abroad through Visit World. Choose a policy based on the length of your stay, the purpose of your trip, and the medical coverage you need.

In our previous article, we reported that Portugal was named the best EU Golden Visa program for 2026: minimum stay, €500,000 investment, and a path to citizenship.

How much does it cost to raise a child in Portugal?

The choice of daycare or school has the greatest impact on the cost of raising a child in Portugal. Free daycare and public education reduce a family’s budget by hundreds of euros each month compared to private institutions.

Daycare and Preschools

For children under three years of age, the Creche Feliz program is available. It covers attendance at participating daycare centers for children born on or after September 1, 2021. Enrollment depends on availability; additional program conditions apply to private institutions.

If a family pays for a private preschool on their own, the estimated cost for a full day is €300–730 per month, with an average cost of about €443. Over 12 months, this amounts to approximately €5,316.

Public and International Schools

Education in Portugal’s public schools is free. Compulsory education begins at age six and continues until the completion of high school or until the age of 18.

The following expenses remain for the family budget:

- School meals

- School supplies and learning materials

- After-school care

- Clubs, sports teams, and field trips

Low-income families may qualify for assistance with meals, transportation, and educational materials. Applications are submitted when the child is enrolled.

Elementary education at an international school costs approximately €6,000–18,000 per year. To break down the annual costs, that’s €500–1,500 per month, not including any potential enrollment fees, meals, or the school bus.

In our previous article, we discussed how Portugal has become a magnet for millionaires: how the country became a new hub for investment in Europe.

Where Is It Cheaper to Live in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Braga, or Coimbra

Among these four cities, Braga and Coimbra are the most affordable places to live in Portugal. Porto falls somewhere in the middle, while Lisbon has the highest costs, whether rent is included or not.

How much can you save by choosing a different city?

For the same living space, the difference in city rent rates results in the following savings compared to Lisbon:

- Porto – €366 per month, or €4,392 per year

- Coimbra – €738 per month, or €8,856 per year

- Braga – €864 per month, or €10,368 per year

The calculation is based on rental prices as of September 2026. It shows the difference in rent only, excluding utility bills

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How do daily expenses differ?

The cost of living in Portuguese cities varies across different categories. According to Numbeo indices, the cost of groceries in Lisbon is about 8% higher than in Braga, while dining out costs about 37% more. This is a significantly smaller gap than the difference in rent.

For a family that cooks at home and uses public schools, housing is where the biggest savings come from. If you need an international school or have to commute by car every day, you should factor these costs into your choice of city: they can eat up a significant portion of the difference in rent.

Learn more about the best cities in Portugal for expats to live in 2026 by following the link.

How much money do you need to move to Portugal?

The initial budget for moving to Portugal should cover the first few months of living expenses, a security deposit for an apartment, travel costs, and paperwork.

By written agreement, rent can be paid in advance for up to two months. Separately, the parties may agree on a security deposit of up to two months’ rent. For a rent of €1,000, this amounts to a security deposit of up to €2,000 in addition to the rent.

Suppose a couple plans to spend €2,400 per month, including €1,000 in rent. In that case, the breakdown for the first three months would be as follows:

1. Living expenses for three months – €7,200

2. Apartment security deposit – €1,000–2,000, if the lease requires a deposit of one or two months’ rent

3. Total—€8,200–9,200, plus expenses directly related to the move

The rent for these three months is already included in the calculation. If part of it needs to be paid in advance, there’s no need to add it to the total amount again.

Moving expenses to Portugal also include tickets, shipping of belongings, temporary housing while searching for an apartment, visa and administrative fees, and document translations. Add furniture and appliances to the estimate after selecting an apartment—depending on its amenities.

If you’ve already chosen a country to move to, the next step is to prepare your documents and agree on submission deadlines. Contact the immigration lawyers at Visit World to review your document package, clarify the process for obtaining residency status for yourself and your family, and minimize the risk of delays due to errors in your application.

We remind you! Where in the European Union will it be cheapest to live in 2026? Read more about which EU countries have the lowest cost of living, and compare prices for groceries, transportation, utilities, housing, and daily expenses before moving.

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