Are you thinking about trading in the US for the sunny shores of Portugal? I don’t blame you. However, as with any big international move, setting up a new life in Portugal can be expensive.
So, how much money do you need to move to Portugal? Let’s dive in and find out!
Cost of Moving to Portugal from the US
So, when we talk about moving costs there are a lot of factors that come into play. Things like how many people are moving? Are there pets to consider? Are you currently renting or living in your own home? Things like that.
These are all variables that are going to affect the cost of moving to Portugal from the US. Of course, if you’re moving solo, that’s going to be cheaper than if you’re moving with a spouse and/or kids.
And, as much as we love our furry friends, moving pets overseas is an expensive and complicated undertaking that requires paperwork and sometimes a lengthy – and costly – quarantine process.
So, let’s leave those variables to one side and go through the different moving costs that you’re definitely going to come across when working out how much money you need to move to Portugal from the US.
Visa Costs
If you’re going to move to Portugal, you’re going to need a visa. US citizens can only stay in Portugal for 90 days out of a 180-day period in line with Schengen policies, so to stay any longer than that, you’ll need more long-stay paperwork.
While there are a ton of different visa options for Portugal, from Digital Nomad Visas to Golden Visas for investment to a great range of retirement visas and many more, they all cost money. Some may cost more than others, but the general processing fee works out to 75 Euros for a Temporary visa and 90 Euros for a Residency visa.
Keep in mind this is just the processing fee, the actual cost of getting everything together, validated, and getting to and from visa appointments might mean that this costs even more.
Flights
Okay, it’s hardly news to say that flights from the US to Portugal are expensive. On average, flights can cost around 400-600 Euros from the East Coast and 600-800 from the West Coast.
Obviously, these prices are based on the major US airports like New York, Boston, San Francisco, etc., so if you’re flying out of a more regional airport, you might need to add another connection to your schedule. This can often drive the price up even more.
Primarily, these flights tend to land in Lisbon, rather than Faro on the Algarve or Porto in the north of Portugal. That’s because although both of these airports are international airports, they don’t tend to run Transatlantic routes. So, if you’re not moving to Lisbon, you’re going to have to add additional moving transport to your end location.
This might be a local bus or train service, or you might want to hire a car and drive it straight from the airport to your new home.
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Movers Fees
If you have a ton of stuff that you want to bring with you or you’re moving the whole family with you, then chances are that you’re going to need a mover. Transatlantic moving costs can easily hit $10,000 dollars if you’re not careful, so it’s important to assess how much you need individual items. You’re going to have to Marie Kondo it a little bit.
You’re moving to Europe, not Mars, so you can get things like pots and pans and storage baskets over there. Really, you only need to move sentimental things to items that are one-of-a-kind or that you’re unlikely to find out there.
If you find that you still need a moving company for your stuff and it’s either too heavy, bulky, or fragile for the hold of the plane, make sure you book your movers way in advance and have it all packed up and ready to go a few weeks before you fly out!
Insurance
Like many European countries, whether you’re going to be living in Portugal for a long or short time, you have to have health insurance. It doesn’t have to be super expensive or flashy and some plans start from around 10-20 Euros a month which is going to be less than your phone bill.
If you’ve secured a job in Portugal and are moving on a work visa, check your employment terms and perks because you might have your insurance included in your remuneration package!
Initial Accommodation
Unless you’re moving straight into an apartment or house that you’ve already organized while you were in the States, you’re going to have to find a temporary home base where you can start looking for more permanent accommodation.
A lot of the time, this is either an Airbnb, a hostel, or a reasonably priced hotel. You need it to be affordable enough that it’s not going to blow the budget out of the water, and flexible enough that you might be able to stay longer if you need to.
I’d recommend booking initial accommodation in the area or suburb that you’re thinking of moving into, rather than staying in the touristy center. This way you can get a feel for the place, find those local coffee spots, work out your commute or the closest school – things like that.
It also makes it super convenient for you to get to viewings in the area, and get out of your temporary accommodation as soon as possible! Once you’ve done that, you can start setting up your new life in Portugal!
How Much Money Do You Need to Move to Portugal?
So, this obviously varies based on your situation. If you’re moving to Portugal as a couple, you should be budgeting around $2,500 (€2,332) to $3,000 (€2,798) per month to cover yourself. If you want to live in the heart of the city center, you’re going to be looking closer to €3,000 per month. However, with all the moving fees and expenses, you could be looking at around 10-20,000 Euros in setup fees.
This definitely depends on whereabouts in Portugal you’re thinking of living. Obviously, Obidos is cheaper than Lisbon, and Braga is way cheaper than Porto. It all depends if you prefer the big city amenities versus either smaller cities or larger towns.
The cost of living in Portugal is generally much lower than in the US, which is why it’s so attractive to many Americans. Combine this with the laid-back attitude and access to the EU and it’s kind of a no-brainer.
That being said, the Portuguese job market isn’t exactly the best in Europe, so you might want to come across a job already secured or work for a remote company.
Cost of Living: Portugal versus USA
Okay, so now we’ve established the cost of moving to Portugal from the US, let’s see how the cost of living between the two measures up. I’ll go through categories one by one so you can really see the difference between the two, and so you can compare them to your own current costs back in the US.
Okay, let’s dive right in.
Accommodation
Right, so the biggest expense that most of us pay on a monthly basis is for our accommodation. Whether you’re renting or paying your mortgage, it’s going to be a pretty big chunk of your monthly expenses.
So, in Portugal, rent is pretty reasonable. Let’s start with the expensive end – if you have a three-bed property in Lisbon city center, you’re going to be paying around 2,500 Euros per month. Outside of the center, you can get a one-bedroom apartment for around 860 Euros per month. Considering this is a capital city and the main business hub in Portugal, that’s not bad.
For example, a three-bed apartment in Manhattan costs on average $7,152, so even with the exchange, you’re looking at around half the price. In fact, across the board, accommodation prices in Portugal are around 40-50% cheaper than in the US.
If you’re looking to stay in a large town, small city, or more remote area, you can find one-bedroom apartments for as little as 400 Euros a month. Especially if you look at small student cities like Braga, rents are a whole lot cheaper than Porto which has a similar vibe. So, if you’re not tied to a big city life, you could save a huge amount of money on accommodation.
Utilities
Bills are the bane of most of our existence, but they’re a necessary evil. While phone bills in both the US and Portugal are around the same price as they’re all run by private companies rather than state-owned, other utilities tend to be cheaper in Portugal.
For your electricity, water, heating, and garbage services, you’re looking at around 120 Euros per month. That’s not bad! Of course, this depends on how much you love your air-con or your heater in the winter months.
This is based on a mid-sized apartment, but it’s worth noting that Portuguese apartments are often smaller than their US counterparts.
If you had the same size property in the US, you’d be looking at around 170 Euros a month, so you’re saving about 50 Euros a month, which is 600 Euros a year. In some places in Portugal, that’s a full month’s rent!
Of course, you’ll probably want to add on TV subscriptions on top of this, but Portugal does have a number of free TV channels that you’ll be able to get as standard. Platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more are all roughly the same price wherever you are in the world, it just depends on the exchange rate.
Groceries
This is an interesting one, because it all depends on locally-grown ingredients and seasonality in Portugal, much like in the majority of Europe. While farmer’s markets are a crafty and hipster affair in the US, food markets are super common in Europe, where a lot of locals buy their fresh produce, rather than going to the supermarkets.
So, if you’re buying fruit or vegetables that are in season and locally grown, then chances are they’re going to be a lot cheaper than they are in the US because of the lack of export costs, transportation, and the lower growing costs to begin with.
However, if you’re looking for brand names or pantry staples, these might be more expensive than in the US. Things like toothpaste and cereal are often more expensive than in the US, so it’s worth weighing up how much fresh stuff you eat and how much you like to cook versus the comfort and ease of processed, brand-name foods.
Healthcare
One of the major reasons why people leave the US is because of the healthcare costs, especially if you’re retiring and health issues are becoming a little bit more prevalent. Like many places in Europe, Portugal has a really great public healthcare system, in fact, it’s been ranked as one of the best ones in the world.
Unlike the NHS in the UK, Portugal’s public healthcare system isn’t entirely free, but it is really reasonable unlike in the US. For example, dental cleaning on the public healthcare system in Portugal is free, if you’re paying to go private in Portugal, it’s only around 25 Euros, but in the US, the same dental cleaning would cost a whopping $120.
In fact, in Portugal, children and senior citizens do not have to pay for public healthcare services. If you’re in between these ranges, you only have to pay a small co-pay fee. This is a huge saving compared to the US where many people can’t even afford to see a GP (it’s $100 in the US and either free or 5 Euros in Portugal).
Transport
When you’re traveling around Portugal or commuting to work, transport prices are super important. While gas is cheaper in the US by almost a euro per liter and the cost of a car is also normally cheaper in the US, public transport in Portugal is much more affordable.
The rail and bus links between cities in Portugal and across into Spain are all pretty great, and if you’re living in one of Portugal’s major cities, you’re not going to really need a car. On average, you can get a monthly public transport pass in Portugal for around 40 Euros, whereas in the US, you’re looking at an average of 65 Euros.
So, depending on if you need a car or are planning to stick to public transport, it may or may not be cheaper in Portugal. Cars are king in the US which is why the gas prices and purchase prices are often cheaper, but with a decent public transport network, you can live a cheaper and more environmentally friendly life in Portugal.
Eating Out
As with many apartments in Europe, you’ll see that the kitchens aren’t that big. That’s because eating out with friends and family members is a huge part of the Portuguese culture. As such, it’s actually super affordable to eat out. In fact, most expats find themselves eating out multiple times a week.
Depending on the restaurant and area, you can grab a decent lunch with wine for anywhere between 7 and 12 Euros which is a steal. If you’re looking for a more upscale dinner, you’ll be paying around 40 Euros for a two-course dinner for two people. For the same experience, you’d be paying around 65 Euros in the US.
Even having coffee and a toasted sandwich is affordable in Portugal with the average espresso costing around a Euro and toasted sandwiches costing around three Euros. No wonder people tend to eat out rather than stay in and cook!
Drinking
Do you fancy a night in the town? Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that drinking in Portugal is super cheap. While you might end up spending 12 Euros on a bottle of wine in the supermarket in the US, you’re only going to be paying around four Euros in Portugal. Of course, Portugal has tons of vineyards and wineries, so shopping domestically is always going to be cheaper.
If you’re more of a beer drinker, you can get domestic beer for around a Euro in Portugal, whereas in the US even a domestic beer is going to cost at least double that. So, if you like partying or just enjoying a nice glass of wine at the end of a long day, Portugal is going to save you a ton of money in the long run.
School
If you’re traveling with kiddos in tow, one of the biggest considerations for you is going to be schooling and education. Portugal operates a free education system for all citizens and foreign residents, so you can easily send your kids to a public school for free.
That being said, if your family isn’t fluent in Portuguese, you can opt for one of the many private international schools in Portugal. All in all, these schools cost around 6,000 Euros per student, per year, which is around a third cheaper than private schools in the US.
Travel and Vacations
A huge benefit of living in Portugal is your access to other European nations. As Portugal is a part of the EU, once you’re a permanent resident or citizen, you can travel without restrictions to the other 26 EU member states.
If you’re just looking for a quick getaway, the international train service to Spain is reasonably affordable, and if you’re on a budget, FlixBus does operate in Portugal, connecting you to the wider continent. If you’re short of time and want to go further afield, there are a ton of low-cost airlines operating out of Portugal’s main airports; Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. For example, you could fly to London for as little as 30 Euros for a return flight.
This is a lot cheaper than in the US, where domestic flights that cover a similar distance are well into three figures. So, not only will you save money, but you’ll be able to visit more countries and discover different cultures. Want to spend the weekend in Seville, Spain? From Portugal, it’s a relatively short and simple trip.
Is Portugal an Expensive Place to Live?
By European and US standards, Portugal is definitely not an expensive place to live. It’s regularly listed as the cheapest country in Western Europe, and the cost of living is around 40% cheaper than living in the US.
Although certain brand-name products and car costs can be more expensive than in other countries due to import costs and transportation, overall, Portugal is a pretty cheap place to call home. It’s certainly cheaper than neighboring Spain and France, and with the Schengen travel rules for US citizens, you can easily enjoy the culture of both places with relatively short travel times.
What’s the Average Cost of Living in Lisbon, Portugal?
All in all, the average cost of living in Lisbon is around 1,700 Euros per person, per month. This can go up or down depending on if you’re splitting accommodation costs with friends, or the district of Lisbon that you want to live in.
As it’s a capital city, the average cost of living is around 200 Euros higher per month than in the rest of Portugal, so if you live in Lagos or Porto, you can save around 2,400 Euros a year.
When you compare this to the US, even living in Lisbon – the most expensive part of Portugal – you’re paying between 40-50% less per month than you would be in large cities in the US. It’s a huge distinction and definitely one to consider when you’re thinking about moving to Portugal.
What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal?
Now, although Portugal has its charms, it’s not devoid of downsides. While the pros include a low cost of living, increased standard of living, access to Europe, socialized education and healthcare, and many, many more benefits there are also downsides.
The biggest downside that often comes up when we’re talking about moving to Portugal is the job market. Portugal has had a pretty poor job market for around a decade now, which has caused many young Portuguese people to move to other parts of the EU.
That being said, Lisbon has been rebranding itself as a haven for digital nomads and tech start-ups. In fact, Portugal was one of the first countries to announce a formal Digital Nomad Visa and there are a lot of co-working spaces for tech start-ups and incubators.
There are actually some huge names now setting up headquarters in Lisbon including Google, Dell, Siemens, Unilever, Cisco, IKEA, and more, thanks to this tech boom.
If you’re working in the remote or tech space, then this is definitely going to be less of a problem for you, but if you’re looking for a job in other industries, it can be more difficult. I’d advise either seeing if you can pivot into tech or researching remote positions that allow you to work in Portugal where possible. Then, it’s one less thing you need to worry about when you move.
Is it Cheaper to Live in Portugal than in the US?
Yes, it is definitely cheaper to live in Portugal than in the US. The cost of living in Portugal is around 40-50% cheaper than in the US. That being said, salaries in Portugal can often be lower, so you need to take this into consideration.
If you have a remote position with a US paycheck, you can easily live like a king or queen in the vast majority of Portuguese cities and towns.
How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Portugal?
While the basic cost of living in Lisbon ranges around 1,700 Euros per person, per month, to live comfortably, you’ll probably need between 2,300-2,500 in the capital city. Elsewhere, you’ll find the basic cost of living is lower at around 1,500 Euros per person, per month, so having approximately 2,000 Euros will allow you to live comfortably in Portugal.
This obviously depends on how much you like to spend on eating out, traveling, and whether you live in the city center or on the outskirts of your home city or town.
Generally, take the cost of living and add around 500 Euros to it as a nice buffer that allows you to be comfortable and/or put away some money into savings for a rainy day.
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