Working in Portugal: Does the minimum wage really compensate for the cost of living?

If you are a Brazilian considering moving to Portugal, the burning question is: how much is left at the end of the month? In 2025, Portugal’s minimum wage reached €870 monthly in the mainland region, while Madeira and the Azores offer €913.50 and €915 respectively. At first glance, it seems like a fortune — after all, converting to reais, we’re talking about approximately R$5,500. But here comes the reality: is this amount enough when you account for all expenses?

What is really left from the minimum wage in Portugal

Let’s start with the simplest calculation. That €870 you receive is not what you spend.

Social Security deducts 11% directly — €95.70 that disappear before the money reaches your account. If your salary is above the minimum, the Portuguese income tax (imposto de renda português) also applies, which varies depending on your family situation and dependents.

In practice: €870 gross becomes €774.30 net — at minimum. We’re talking about more than €100 less than you thought you would earn.

How much does it cost to live in Portugal in 2025

This is where many Brazilians get a shock. Portugal is indeed cheaper than most Western European countries, but it’s far from being a financial paradise.

For a single person, the monthly cost is around €1,800. If you bring your family (4 pessoas), it’s €3,304 per month. Let’s look at the details:

Housing — the biggest expense:

• A 2-bedroom apartment in a common neighborhood: €1,005
• The same property in a upscale area: €1,518
• Small studio: €729

Food — depends on your habits:

• Fast food: €8
• Set menu in a restaurant: €12
• Grocery shopping (frango 500g): €3.36
• 500g cheese: €4.90

Other unavoidable expenses:

• Monthly transportation pass: €35
• Gasoline (if you have a car): €1.69 per liter
• Electricity, water, and gas: ~€112
• Gym membership: €34
• Private medical consultation: €65

Minimum wage Portugal versus Brazil: who earns more?

When you compare the numbers side by side, Portugal pays more than 3x the minimum wage offered in Brazil. In 2025, while Portugal sets €870, Brazil maintains R$1,518 — a huge difference on paper.

But what is the real picture? In Portugal, you earn €774 after mandatory deductions. In Brazil, a worker earning R$1,518 has smaller deductions — INSS and income tax — retaining a larger percentage of the gross.

The question is not “who earns more in numbers,” but how much each can save. In Portugal, the disposable income after rent, food, and transportation can be similar — or even lower — than what you take home in a medium-sized Brazilian city.

For qualified professionals, the story changes. Engineers, developers, healthcare professionals in Portugal earn 2, 3, or even 4 times more than the minimum. That’s when the advantage becomes clear.

Is it worth earning the minimum wage in Portugal

It depends. Truly.

If you will earn only the minimum wage Portugal:

• In small and medium-sized cities? It’s possible to live with financial control
• In Lisbon or Porto? It will be tight — very tight
• With a family? It’s difficult without additional income

If you can secure a qualified profession:

• The answer is much more “yes”
• Portugal offers stability, a robust social security system, and salary growth over the years
• Purchasing power improves significantly

The working hours in Portugal

With a minimum wage of €870 and a monthly workload of 176 hours, you earn approximately €4.94 per hour. Part-time work yields about €435 monthly. For context: qualified professions earn double, triple, or more per hour worked.

Conclusion: is it possible to live on minimum wage in Portugal?

Yes, it is possible. But it requires real planning. Portugal is not excessively expensive — it’s just that the minimum wage, anywhere in the world, is inherently tight by definition.

The real question for those considering a move is this: what is your earning potential in your field? A Brazilian developer, plumber, nurse, or IT specialist in Portugal earns significantly more than the minimum and can achieve a clear quality of life. Someone arriving without specific qualifications will face the Portuguese minimum wage — and then the story is different.

Portugal remains an attractive option for Brazilians, especially for those with education or experience valued in the European market. The move is safe if you consider these factors before taking the leap.