Cost of Living in Lisbon

Is Lisbon expensive?

According to Numbeo, Lisbon is the priciest city in Portugal. The cost of living in Lisbon without rent is around €745 for a single person and €2,645 for a small family. The price of a single-bedroom apartment outside the city centre is €1,090, while a three-bedroom apartment costs around €1,710. So, for a single person, the cost of living in Lisbon is €1,835 and €4,355 for a family of four, rent included.

By urban area and other measures, Lisbon is one of the biggest cities in the European Union. But the cost of living is considerably more benign than in other big cities of the EU. In London, a family of four can expect to spend €10,771 while a single person can expect to spend €4,060 monthly in total. In Berlin, a family of four is estimated to spend €6,082 a month, and single persons’ estimated monthly costs are €2,372 in total. So this means that Lisbon is approximately 55% cheaper than London and 23% cheaper than Berlin for a single person. For a family of four, it’s 60% cheaper than London and 28% cheaper than Berlin.

On a national level, Portugal has costs and living standards that are closer to Spain than to Germany or the United Kingdom. But salaries are 30% higher in Spain than in Portugal. In fact, many people from Portugal go to Spain every day to work (and have to adjust to a different time zone twice a day!)

We can also compare Lisbon to other Portuguese cities. A single person’s monthly living expenses, including rent, are roughly 17% higher in Lisbon than in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Or, in exact figures, an expat who lives in Porto spends €695 per month before rent. The city’s price differential extends to housing, where buying a home costs more than in any other major Portuguese city.

So, if you compare Lisbon to London, then it’s not expensive. But if you compare Lisbon to the national minimum salary, then yes, it’s very expensive. To live comfortably in Lisbon, you’ll need an above-average, well-paying job and a Portuguese expat visa.

Rent per month

The average monthly rent in Portugal is as follows (Source: Numbeo):

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre: €1,408
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of the centre: €1,090
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city centre: €2,630
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of the centre: €1,710

Rent prices in Lisbon are rising more slowly in 2025 than in previous years, so potential renters can expect a stable market. Besides, Lisbon is a place where you can move further out and still have a better place for your money. Still not cheap, but more convenient. It has good transport links, good motorways and bus services where there's no train. Expats recommend Montijo, Alcochete, Marvila, or Beato, to name a few districts.

Centric areas in Lisbon are expensive and are getting pricier, so it’s a good idea to look for properties further away from the city centre and in suburban areas. Expats and travel blogs usually rank Chiado, Príncipe Real, and Alfama as the most tourist-heavy. You can avoid those. You can also avoid Mouraria, which many travellers deem as sketchy.

How to find an apartment in Lisbon

Some popular online platforms to find an apartment to rent are Idealista, OLX, Imovirtual and Casa Sapo. To rent a property in Portugal, you need to have your Number of Fiscal Identification (NIF) and proof of identity. You will also be required to provide a bank statement, tax return, or proof of employment. In general, contracts have a minimum duration of 12 months with an automatic renewal, unless one of the parties decides to end it.

It’s a good idea to look for housing along the train line that goes between Lisbon and Cascais, as it has plenty of options to eat out and enjoy the city life while staying affordable. Having the train line close by, neighbourhoods in this area are well-connected, being no more than 30 minutes away from Lisbon’s centre.

Expats and digital nomads have been flocking to Portugal in the last years, and many locals claim that it has hurt the housing market. So if you can’t find reasonably-priced accommodation in Lisbon, you’ll be in a similar situation to many expats and Portuguese citizens alike. Make sure to speak with a trusted professional before you make your decision to get the best deal possible when you rent. Or try Porto instead!

Property prices

You can find properties to buy in Lisbon using websites like Idealista, OLX, Imovirtual and Casa Sapo. To buy a property as a non-EU citizen in Lisbon, you need to get a Number or Fiscal Identification (NIF). You also need to have a Portuguese bank account, more so if you are going to apply for a mortgage or a loan.

Let’s look at the average prices to buy properties in Lisbon (Source: Numbeo):

• City centre: €6,554/sqm
• Outside of the city centre: €3,714/sqm

Keep in mind: Buying a property is no longer an option if you’re seeking the Portuguese Golden Visa.

Utilities

Another big chunk of the Lisbon cost of living is the monthly utilities (Source: Numbeo):

• Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for an 85m² apartment: €126
• Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10 GB+ Data: €20
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): €37

These expenses can add up to a hefty amount throughout the year, especially hang in mind that many buildings in Lisbon still keep old appliances. It’s a good idea to replace old electric appliances with newer, more efficient ones, and install flow reducers on all taps and showers to reduce utility costs. You can also try to bring down this price by comparing utility plans using websites like Comparaja and PoupaEnergia.

Furnished apartments

Rental apartments in Lisbon are usually unfurnished, but you may be able to find furnished apartments for short-term rentals. Conversely, according to some expats, furnished apartments may be easier to find right around universities.

Transportation

Moving across Lisbon is easy and inexpensive, as it has an extensive metro network, as well as several local bus lines. The public transport services are reliable and connect most parts of the city. If you own a car, 1 litre of gasoline in Lisbon costs €1.78.

Taxi (Source: Numbeo):

• Taxi start (normal tariff): €3.73
• Taxi 1 km: €0.80
• Taxi 1 hour waiting: €16.10
• From the Airport to the city centre: €15

Food

Portugal has some big supermarket chains such as Continente, Mercadona, Pingo Doce, Auchan and Intermarché, all of which can be found in Lisbon, as well as in most big cities. There are also some discount chains like Minipreço, Lidl, and Aldi. You will also find plenty of independent neighbourhood supermarkets that are more affordable. For fresh and organic food, you can also go shopping at local food markets, which are also regarded as a tourist attraction.

Eating in Lisbon is not particularly expensive, with plenty of affordable options. Keep in mind that the number of people in a household will make the price vary.

• For a single person: €150–€250
• For a couple: €300–€400
• For a family of four: €600–€700

Here are some typical grocery items to give you an idea of price:

• Milk (1 litre): €0.96
• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): €1.48
• Rice (1kg): €1.49
• Eggs (12): €2.70
• Chicken fillets (1kg): €6.80
• Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught): €1.24

Mobile phone plan

Prepaid plans in Portugal come with flexibility, while contracts are more convenient for the long term, but they usually require a lengthier commitment as well. To sign up for a mobile phone contract you will need to have your Number of Fiscal Identification (NIF) already. Also, it is recommended to have a Portuguese bank account opened, but some providers may allow the use of foreign bank accounts. Let’s look at some providers of mobile services:

• Major providers: MEO, Vodafone and NOS are the major and overall better mobile providers in Portugal. Plans start at €17.
• Cheaper options: Lycanmobile provides budget-friendly plans with low international fares that are ideal for expats and plans starting from €8.
• eSims: if your phone supports eSim, most providers offer them, sometimes with an activation fee of as modest as €3.50.

Childcare

Childcare options in Portugal include private, public and international options. Nurseries are intended for children under 3 years old and are largely private. Kindergartens offer childcare for children over 3 years old, and there are free public options. The Portuguese government offers a family allowance to partially foot the costs of childcare and education, and is in the process of introducing free childcare for children under 3 years old. Non-EU nationals are usually required to have a resident permit, either permanent or temporary.

• Nursery: provides care for children from 3 months to 3 years old
• Preschool / kindergarten: for children from 3 to 6 years old
• Babysitters: cares for children up to 3 years old, and are legally permitted to care for 4 children at once.

Here are some international school fees (Source: Numbeo):

• Preschool (or kindergarten), full day, private, monthly for 1 child: €533
• International primary school, yearly for 1 child: €14,323

Gym

Gyms in Lisbon usually offer monthly and yearly prices. Monthly memberships are easier to cancel, while yearly memberships are typically more budget-friendly. There are some popular gym chains, but you may also be able to find local neighbourhood gyms that are generally cheaper and more convenient to get to.

Some of the major gym brands and prices:

• Solinca: €12–€20
• Holmes Place: €90–€150
• VivaGym: €30–€40