Cost of Living in Portugal : Expense, Rent and Fees

Portugal is a rewarding study abroad destination in Europe. It offers good education and decent employment opportunities, all at a relatively low cost of living in Portugal 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 person, a comfortable monthly cost of living in Portugal is between EUR 1,388 and EUR 1,598, and it can vary according to the location and living standard a person prefers. Here is a breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal. Read through to get all the details!

Category	Approx Costs
Cost with Rent	EUR 1400
Rent (outside the city centre)	EUR 727.87
Basic Utilities	EUR 111.50
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	EUR 10
Local Transportation (Monthly pass)	EUR 40
Monthly salary after tax	EUR 1,069.60
English Speaking %	27.3%

Detailed Breakdown of the Cost of Living in Portugal 

Managing living expenses in Portugal is a key factor to consider when relocating in this vibrant city. The average monthly cost of living in Portugal for a for a single person, it is around EUR 1500 with rent in the city area, while family of four is approximately EUR 3900.

The cost of living in Portugal depends on several factors like the lifestyle you follow, area you select, and other personal preferences. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Portugal across various categories:

Also, Read: Cost of Living in Seoul: A Comprehensive Guide on Seoul’s Expense

Cost of Food in Portugal

Dining out is might be inexpensive in Portugal. Lunch at a nearby restaurant costs between EUR 10 and EUR 40. Additionally, groceries are not too pricey. Figuring out the cost of food and groceries in Portugal and including them in the cost of living in Portugal is the most important part. The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Portugal:

Items	Average Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	EUR 10
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	EUR 8
Meal for 2 people in mid-range restaurant	EUR 40
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast	EUR 3.52
1 litre (1 qt.) of whole-fat milk	EUR 0.97
12 eggs	EUR 3.01
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese	EUR 5.23
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	EUR 0.85
Fruits 1 kg	EUR 2
Vegetables 1kg	EUR 2

Cost of Housing in Portugal

Rent costs vary by location and apartment size, but you should budget between EUR 727 and EUR 1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. Moreover, students need to plan for the accommodation cost they will be living in. The following table compares the cost of renting apartments within and outside the city centre:

Apartment Size and Location	Rent Per Month
One bedroom apartment in city centre	EUR 937.21
One bedroom apartment outside of centre	EUR 727.87
Three bedrooms apartment in city centre	EUR 1646.07
Three bedrooms apartment outside of centre	EUR 1194.62

Cost of Utilities in Portugal

In Portugal, utilities are not very expensive. For energy, gas and water, you should budget between EUR 100 and EUR 150 each month. The utility bills can affect your cost of living in Portugal according to the area you prefer. In the table below, Utility costs in Portugal are provided for your convenience:

Items	Average Cost
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 2 people in flat	EUR 111.50
Internet 60+ Mbps (1 month)	EUR 36
40” flat screen tv	EUR 310
Microwave 800/900 watt	EUR 117
Laundry detergent 3 l	EUR 9
Hourly rate for cleaning help	EUR 9

Cost of Transportation in Portugal

The best method to get to Portugal is by using the public transit system. Around EUR 40 is spent on a monthly metro pass in Lisbon. The costs of transportation comes under overall cost of living in Portugal, which are outlined in the table below:

Items	Average Cost
1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas	EUR 1.75
Monthly ticket public transport	EUR 36
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	EUR 0.75
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	EUR 1.70

Also Read: Cost of Living in Hamburg: A Comprehensive Guide on Hamburg’s Expense

Cost of Clothing in Portugal

The cost of clothing in Portugal might be a significant part of the overall cost of living in the country because it is known for its vibrant fashion scene and diverse shopping options. The prices of clothing items can vary widely depending on factors such as brand, quality, and location. For your reference we have given the cost of a few clothing item in the table below:

Items	Average Cost
1 pair of jeans	EUR 71.76
1 summer dress in a high street store	EUR 32
1 pair of sports shoes	EUR 75
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes	EUR 85

Cost of Personal Care in Portugal

Portugal is recognised for its relatively inexpensive lifestyle compared to many other European nations. Personal care expenses can vary based on individual budgets and preferences. Portugal offers various options from grooming to healthcare services according to the different budgets. The cost of personal care here is often influenced by the overall cost of living in Portugal.

Items	Average Cost
Cold medicine for 6 days	EUR 4.97
1 box of antibiotics	EUR 9
Short visit to a private doctor	EUR 65
Deodorant, roll-on (50 ml ~ 1.5 oz.)	EUR 3.68
4 rolls of toilet paper	EUR 2.43
Tube of toothpaste	EUR 2.22

Cost of Entertainment in Portugal

Portugal offers many entertainment choices that will fit your budget, reflecting its reasonable cost of living in Portugal’. Below, we have given the costs of entertainment for various sectors in Portugal:

Items	Average Cost
Cappuccino in the expat area of the city	EUR 29
2 tickets to the movies	EUR 14
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club	EUR 9
Cappuccino in expat area of the city	EUR 3.47
1 month of gym membership in the business district	EUR 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 in Portugal, tuition fees can vary. Along with the cost of living in Portugal, figuring out the average tuition fees can be a daunting task. For you reference we have given the average tuition fees at the Universities in Portugal:

Course Level	Average Tuition Fee
For Bachelor’s degrees	EUR 550 – 1,050 /year
For Master’s degrees	EUR 500 – 2,500 /year

Why Study in Portugal?

Along with affordable cost of living in Portugal, the education system of here 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, which includes seven of the nation’s universities.
  
• As a result, the average annual tuition fee at Portugal’s public institutions is now between EUR 950 and EUR 1,250 for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. EUR 2,500 to EUR 3,000 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.

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 Portugal compared to other European nations. Here are few things to consider when moving to Portugal. 

• 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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Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs 

So, this was all about the cost of living in Portugal. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.