Earn €870 in Portugal: What Really Remains in Your Wallet in 2025

Are you thinking about moving to Portugal and want to know if you can live on the Portuguese minimum wage? The answer is more complex than it seems. Portugal’s minimum wage reached €870 per month in 2025, but when you see how much actually ends up in your bank account after mandatory deductions, the story changes quite a bit.

How much is Portugal paying as the minimum wage in 2025?

Portugal adjusted its minimum wage to €870 per month on the mainland during 2025, an increase from €820 the previous year. In the islands, the compensation is slightly higher:

• Madeira: €913.50 monthly
• Azores: €915 monthly

Converting to the purchasing power of Brazilians, this amount is approximately R$5,500 to R$5,600, depending on exchange rate fluctuations. At first glance, it seems quite advantageous, but it’s important to understand that Portugal is part of the European Union and still maintains one of the modestest minimum wages in the European bloc, according to Eurostat data.

The deductions nobody talks about: how much is really left?

Here’s the critical point. When earning €870, you don’t take home the full amount. The deductions are as follows:

Social Security: 11% mandatory — all employees pay
IRS (Income Tax) — applies only above a certain threshold, varying depending on dependents and family composition

In practice, it looks like this:

• Gross salary: €870
• Social Security (11%): -€95.70
• Balance before IRS: €774.30

If IRS is applied, the net amount decreases even further. Most minimum wage earners manage to keep around €750 to €770 after all deductions — practically 12% less than they might have expected.

How has the minimum wage in Portugal changed over the years

The Portuguese government has been gradually increasing the minimum wage, signaling its intention to approach European average wages. Even with these annual adjustments planned until 2026, Portugal remains among the countries with the lowest earning power in Western Europe.

How much do professionals earn in Portugal?

Earnings in Portugal vary drastically depending on the profession and experience. While a construction laborer might earn close to the minimum, an engineer or IT specialist can earn between €1,800 and €3,500 per month. Qualification is key.

The standard workweek in Portugal is 40 hours, totaling about 176 hours per month, which means the hourly rate of the minimum wage is approximately €4.94 per hour. Specialized professionals can earn two, three, or even four times this amount.

How much does it really cost to live in Portugal?

Cost of living data indicates that:

• One person spends around €1,800 per month
• A family of four requires approximately €3,304 monthly

Portugal ranks second as the most affordable country in Western Europe, only behind some neighbors.

Common expenses you will encounter:

Food and meals:

• Fast food: €8
• Set menu in a restaurant: €12
• Half a kilo of chicken: €3.36
• Half a kilo of cheese: €4.90

Rent:

• T2 apartment (85m²) in a upscale neighborhood: €1,518
• T2 apartment in a common area: €1,005
• Studio in a common area: €729

Mobility:

• Gasoline: €1.69 per liter
• Monthly transportation pass: €35

Comfort and utilities:

• Gym membership: €34
• Electricity, water, and gas combined: €112
• Private medical consultation: €65

Is it feasible to survive on €870 in Portugal?

Technically yes, but with important caveats. The answer depends on where you choose to live, how much you can save on non-essential expenses, and whether you can achieve salary progression.

In metropolises like Lisbon and Porto, living solely on the minimum wage requires strict budgeting. In medium-sized centers, the situation is less tight. Many earning the minimum seek additional income through side jobs or move to inland cities where the cost of living is 30% to 40% lower.

How do Portugal and Brazil compare in salary terms

For a Brazilian considering the move, comparison is essential. In 2025, Portugal offers €870 while Brazil maintains its minimum wage at R$1,518.

Converting: the Portuguese minimum wage is more than three times the Brazilian minimum in nominal values. However, the Portuguese cost of living is also substantially higher. Rent, groceries, and transportation consume significant portions of the budget.

In net monthly figures:

• Portugal: approximately €770 after deductions
• Brazil: minimum wage worker retains a larger proportion of the gross, as deductions are lower

In other words, the financial advantage in Portugal materializes when the person earns above the minimum. For those with qualifications, technical training, or experience in in-demand fields, migration tends to be more financially attractive in the medium and long term.

Does Portugal really pay off for those earning the minimum?

The answer depends on your profile:

Favorable for: qualified professionals, people with valuable experience in the European market, those seeking institutional security and quality of life

Challenging for: those planning to live only on the minimum wage in large cities like Lisbon or Porto

The decision should not be based solely on gross salary figures. It’s essential to assess the salary potential of your specific profession, choose a city where the cost-benefit ratio is favorable, understand the tax structure, and evaluate growth prospects over the coming years.

Moving to Portugal solely based on the minimum wage is risky. But for those able to position themselves in higher-demand professions, the experience can be transformative.