Portugal is a rewarding study abroad destination in Europe. It offers good education and decent employment opportunities, all at a relatively low cost as compared to other EU countries. It is a perfect place to live If you’re searching for a warm, reasonably priced, safe country with a high standard of living. For a single individual and a couple, a comfortable monthly budget of between €1,000 and €1,500 is needed, according to the typical cost of living in Portugal. Here is a breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal. Read through to get all the details!
Cost of Living | One Person |
Cost with Rent | €971.57 |
Rent and Utilities | €561.39 |
Food | €266.21 |
Transportation | €46.00 |
Monthly salary after tax | €987.87 |
English Speaking % | 27.3% |
Population | 10.3M |
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Why Study in Portugal?
The education system of Portugal is quite good and also helps students to explore various job opportunities. There are several reasons to study in Portugal few of them are mentioned below
- For international students looking to pursue a study abroad programme in Europe, Portugal is a desirable and convenient location to study. Polytechnics Universities and public & private institutions with an emphasis on theory and research make up Portugal’s higher education system.
- Portugal’s higher education is renowned across the world. The University of Porto and the University of Lisbon have the top entries in the QS World University Rankings 2023, which includes seven of the nation’s universities.
- As a result, the average annual tuition fee at Portugal’s public institutions is now between 950 and 1,250 euros for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 2,500 to 3,000 euros on average per year for PhD third-cycle programmes
- There are several job openings in the hospitality, retail, eating, and customer service industries. In Portugal, tech-related IT occupations are expanding, and call centre jobs you can easily find.
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Detailed Breakdown of the Cost of Living in Portugal
Below is the breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal:
- Housing: Rent costs vary by location and apartment size, but you should budget between €500 and €1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
- Utilities: In Portugal, utilities are not very expensive. For energy, gas and water, you should budget between €100 and €150 each month.
- Food: Dining out is very inexpensive in Portugal. Lunch at a nearby restaurant costs between €10 and €15. Additionally, groceries are not too pricey.
- Transportation: The best method to get to Portugal is by using the public transit system. Around €40 is spent on a monthly metro pass in Lisbon.
- Entertainment: Depending on your lifestyle, other costs may include clothing, entertainment, and travel.
Cost of Food
Items | Average Cost |
Basic lunchtime menu | €10 |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant | €8 |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.52 |
1 litre (1 qt.) of whole-fat milk | €0.97 |
12 eggs | €3.01 |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.23 |
Water (1.5 litre bottle) | €0.85 |
Cost of Housing and Utilities
Items | Average Cost |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation | €1,319 |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €140 |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | €29 |
40” flat screen tv | €310 |
Microwave 800/900 watt | €117 |
Laundry detergent 3 l | €9 |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €9 |
Cost of Transportation
Items | Average Cost |
1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.75 |
Monthly ticket public transport | €36 |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | €0.75 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | €1.70 |
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Cost of Clothing
Items | Average Cost |
1 pair of jeans | €89 |
1 summer dress in a high street store | €32 |
1 pair of sports shoes | €75 |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €85 |
Cost of Personal Care
Items | Average Cost |
Cold medicine for 6 days | €4.97 |
1 box of antibiotics | €9 |
Short visit to a private doctor | €65 |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.68 |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.43 |
Tube of toothpaste | €2.22 |
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Cost of Entertainment
Items | Average Cost |
Cappuccino in the expat area of the city | €29 |
2 tickets to the movies | €14 |
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club | €9 |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.47 |
1 month of gym membership in the business district | €36 |
Tuition Fee in Portugal
The Cost of Studying in Portugal depends on the course type and the duration of the course, but At most public universities, tuition fees vary between:
Course Level | Average Tuition Fee |
For Bachelor’s degrees | 550 – 1,050 EUR/year |
For Master’s degrees | 500 – 2,500 EUR/year |
Things to Consider When Moving to Portugal
If you’re thinking about relocating to Portugal, you should be aware that the nation has numerous benefits to offer, including a pleasant temperature, stunning beaches along the Atlantic, a low cost of living in comparison to other European nations, and more.
- Portugal is one of the most walkable countries in Europe, so seeing the top attractions in Lisbon, Porto, Evora, and beyond is usually best done on foot.
- Plan your trip to Portugal for the off-season, which typically lasts from November through March, for a more tailored experience.
- Bring an ATM card and take out euros because Portugal is less credit card friendly than other countries.
- Portugal’s wide coastline offers breathtaking sea views and delectable cuisine. As a result, one of our top pieces of advice when visiting Portugal is to always try fresh seafood.
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FAQs
Ans. A couple should be able to survive in Portugal outside of the big cities on between $2,500 (€2,332) and $3,000 (€2,798) per month, depending on their lifestyle. Expect to require a little extra in large cities, especially in the city centre.
Ans. Living costs in Portugal are lower than in the US. Almost everything, including food, medicine, transportation, and real estate, is affordable. Compared to Washington, DC, Lisbon’s rent is 46.37% cheaper, consumer prices are 37.8% cheaper, and restaurant prices are 57.21% cheaper.
Ans. Portugal has a considerable English-speaking population, particularly in the Algarve and the bigger towns. Many immigrants manage to live happily and productively while just using English.
This was all about the cost of Living in Portugal, if You are also planning to kick your career with Portugal Universities, reach out to Leverage Edu for the Admission process