Do you want to know what it's really like to live in Lisbon? Then let a member of the Flatio team from Lisbon, who has been living in the Portuguese capital for five years, tell you about it—from rent prices to expat life and the best bank.
Read on if you’re interested in a first-hand account of life as an immigrant in Lisbon that can help you decide if Lisbon is the right place for you to visit or live.
But remember: Everyone has different needs, preferences, personality traits, expectations, and individual circumstances that can influence their experience in Lisbon. Take this guide as an opportunity to gather some new information about this popular city.
What is Lisbon like in general?
“We live where people vacation.” That's what you may hear from locals and expats alike. And it’s so true. Lisbon is incredibly beautiful and offers almost everything you need to have a “decent” quality of life, from nature to historical sites. Some people joke that the only thing missing in Lisbon is “snow.”
A “decent” quality of life in this context means that you, as a single person with an average salary, can meet your basic needs with dignity, from housing to food to healthcare, and that you can enjoy a hobby that is not too expensive, such as sport.
Lisbon is a sunny city and the weather is pleasant most of the year. Healthcare, public transport, banking services, and other daily necessities are easily accessible and relatively affordable.
What’s the minimum income you need to live in Lisbon?
If you are a tax resident in Portugal and registered as an “independent worker,” you generally have to set aside 23% of your income for tax purposes and 21% for social security. There may be exemptions for you in certain circumstances. So be sure to check your status.
But if you live alone and have to pay these amounts, you can live relatively comfortably in Lisbon if you earn €1700-2000 a month.
Apart from your financial obligations to the government, rent is of course a big part of your expenses.
At the time of writing, prices for studios (T0) in Lisbon start at around €650 and for one-bedroom apartments at around €800. Prices vary depending on the neighborhood, type, and size of apartment.
If you are willing to live outside of Lisbon, for example in areas that are a 15-minute drive from Lisbon, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for around €600.
With a salary of €1700-2000 a month and if you have no loans or debts, you may not be able to save much. But if you don’t tend to overspend on eating out or similar things, you can still put some money aside each month for savings, occasional trips, unexpected expenses, or personal goals. If you choose to rent a private room instead of having your own living space, you can save more on rent.
Remember that the above amount is suitable for a minimalist lifestyle. If you want to enjoy a higher standard of living, you should aim for a higher income.
You can achieve this by working remotely for companies outside Portugal that offer higher salaries. In this way, you can benefit more from the relatively low cost of living in the Portuguese capital compared to many other European capitals.
Source: Photo by Mathias Wichmann on Unsplash
How easy are the official procedures in Lisbon?
What is the general experience of dealing with the authorities in Lisbon, e.g. when applying for or renewing a residence card, obtaining a driving license, or similar tasks? There is no definitive answer to this question, as every case is different.
However, if you have informed yourself thoroughly about the procedure in question and have all the documents ready, the official procedures are fairly straightforward and not very time-consuming.
The Portuguese administrative system was generally bureaucratic before the pandemic. But afterwards, many platforms have improved their digital processes, resulting in greater speed and efficiency.
Staff in public institutions are usually very helpful, especially if they realize you can't communicate in English. And although most platforms and forms are in Portuguese, there are very useful videos on YouTube posted by expats in English about everything from getting a diving license to opening an account to filing your tax return.
Is it easy to find accommodation to rent in Lisbon?
From experience it is. Some people complain about the difficulty of finding accommodation in Lisbon and about rental scams.
While such experiences are real, you can find a large selection of reliable accommodation if you search on trusted websites and are careful which Facebook or WhatsApp groups you join for this purpose.
Platforms like Flatio offer a secure rental experience and deposit-free, flexible stays throughout Lisbon. 
Don’t limit yourself to Lisbon if it’s feasible for you. Look for rental properties in areas outside Lisbon that are easily accessible by public transport, especially on the Lisbon to Azambuja train route, which are less touristy, more residential, and more affordable than those on the Lisbon to Cascais route.
In these areas, you can usually rent a one-bedroom apartment for the price of a private room in Lisbon.
What’s the Portuguese healthcare system like?
In Portugal, if you intend to reside long-term, you need to register with the health center of your neighborhood. It’s a relatively easy and fast procedure if you have all the documents ready and visit the health center early in the morning. After that, you’ll be assigned a family doctor and nurse.
You can make appointments with your doctor either through your nurse or through the health center. For emergencies, the São José Hospital in Martim Moniz is a good choice. Private health insurance and private clinics are also widely available for those who need faster services.
Is public transport in Lisbon affordable and reliable?
Public transport in Lisbon may not be as efficient, affordable, modern, and punctual as in other European capitals, but it offers a good service at reasonable prices.
There are a variety of options, including buses, metro, trains, and trams, as well as ferry services to cross the river. Public transport is very limited after midnight.
Make sure you use a monthly pass for Lisbon (€30) or the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (€40) to save on public transport. Otherwise the costs can add up very quickly. A bus or metro ticket bought with cash, for example, costs an average of €2.
Which bank is the best in Portugal?
It depends on your needs and preferences, but ActivoBank has one of the most advanced applications with fast, efficient services and branches across the city.
Which telecommunications provider is the best in Portugal?
MEO offers great services at good prices. But make sure you do your own research as individual needs vary.
Should you know Portuguese to live in Lisbon?
An A2 language certificate is required if you want to renew your residence card in Portugal. Although you may not need Portuguese to get by in everyday life, it is part of the official requirements for the purpose mentioned.
In general, a large percentage of Portuguese people speak English, so you can get by with a few basic phrases. However, knowing the language will make your life easier, especially when filling out official forms.
Where can I take Portuguese lessons in Lisbon?
Many institutions dedicated to helping immigrants, as well as some public schools, offer group language courses at a very reasonable price.
Check with the schools in your neighborhood, which will surely help you find the information you need. There is usually a waiting list for these courses, so you should register your interest in advance.
Find the perfect accommodation in Lisbon
Are the Portuguese friendly?
The Portuguese are some of the warmest, friendliest, and most helpful people you will ever meet. You will feel this especially when you find yourself in situations where you cannot communicate in Portuguese, because then you will see that they will do everything they can to give you the help you need.
What is Portuguese culture like?
Portuguese culture is characterized by the desire to meet in cafés, go to the beaches and travel around the country. Sometimes you get the feeling that nothing serious happens in Portugal, and there is some truth in that. The relaxed, slow pace of life is what makes the country so appealing to many people who choose to live in Portugal.
Where can I do sports in Lisbon?
The INATEL sports complex (Parque de Jogos 1.º Maio) is one of the best places to play all kinds of sports, from football to swimming, badminton, and basketball.
Who is Portugal for?
Portugal is for those seeking a relaxed lifestyle and a slower pace of life. It offers pleasant weather, affordable living, beautiful landscapes, and a welcoming environment for remote workers, retirees, and anyone who appreciates the simple things in life and natural beauty.
Photo by Lorin Both on Unsplash
Who is Portugal not for?
Portugal may not be for those looking for a fast-paced, busy city life with constant action, as it tends to offer a slower, more relaxed lifestyle.
It may also be less suitable for those who rely on a well-paid job market or for those looking for diverse career opportunities in certain specialized fields.
Living in Portugal could also be challenging for those who struggle with the language barrier, although many people speak English, especially in larger cities.
Miscellaneous tips
- Make sure you visit Costa da Caparica, which is easily accessible from Lisbon, for a great beach experience.
- Newly published English books are not available everywhere in Lisbon. You can usually order them from bookshops and have them delivered to the desired address or collect them from the store. Bertrand is one of the bookshops that offer this service.
- For unique gifts, visit Flying Tiger Copenhagen.
- Many local stores do not accept cards. So make sure you have some cash with you.
- For an efficient grocery shopping experience and good prices, visit Lidl.
Flatio can help you find deposit-free rentals in Lisbon!
If you plan to rent accommodation in Lisbon, Flatio is the place for you. Our platform is specially designed for digital nomads.
Most rentals on Flatio don't require a deposit, so you can use your budget for other things that are important to you. Our accommodations for rent in Lisbon, which are spread across different parts of the city, have flexible terms and all come with Wi-Fi as standard.
Here are the highlights of Flatio's features that make it particularly suitable for remote workers looking for a trustworthy, professional platform to make their stay in Lisbon as pleasant and efficient as possible.
- Flexible, reasonably priced stays (from days to months)
- Large selection of accommodation (rooms, apartments, houses, etc.)
- Utilities and Wi-Fi included
- Visa-friendly lease agreements
- Online signing of lease agreement
- Renting directly from hosts
- No deposit for stays under 180 days (unless required by local law)
- Balanced lease agreement, translated into several languages
- Favorable cancelation policy
- StayProtection for Tenants: assistance with emergencies and accidental property damage
- Move-in Guarantee with a 24/7 emergency line
- 100% money protection
- Customer support available every day of the week
- No hidden fees
- Secure and simple payment system, including Bitcoin option
COVER IMAGE: Source: Photo by Alano Oliveira on Unsplash
