Minimum Wage in Portugal in 2025: How Much Is It Really Worth for Those Coming from Brazil?

The truth about Portugal’s minimum wage is more nuanced than it seems. While the €870 monthly figure impresses at first glance, when converted to reais it reaches approximately R$ 5,500–R$ 5,600, the scenario changes significantly when considering mandatory deductions and cost of living. For Brazilians evaluating a possible move, understanding this reality is essential before making any decision.

The Current Scenario: €870 Monthly on the Mainland

In 2025, Portugal set its minimum wage at €870 for the continental territory — an increase from €820 in 2024. In the autonomous regions, the values are slightly higher: Madeira (€913.50) and Azores (€915).

This increase reflects the Portuguese government’s strategy of gradual alignment with the European average, although the country still ranks among the lowest wage floors in Western Europe according to Eurostat data. The comparison is revealing: Portugal’s minimum wage is more than three times higher than the Brazilian (R$ 1,518), but this advantage shrinks when accounting for purchasing power.

Invisible Deductions: What No One Talks About

Here’s the critical point that many overlook. From the gross salary of €870, mandatory deductions significantly reduce disposable income:

Social Security: 11% — €95.70 automatically deducted from every worker. This amount funds pensions, health benefits, and social protection.

Portuguese Income Tax (IRS) (Imposto de Renda Português) — applied to earnings above the minimum, varying according to dependents and marital status. Those earning exactly the minimum wage have lower incidence, but there is still progressive withholding.

In practice: from €870 gross, after Social Security (€95.70), the worker retains €774.30. With possible IRS deductions, this amount can drop to €750–€760 net.

Contrast with Brazil: here, deductions from the minimum wage are proportionally smaller, allowing for greater retention of the gross amount. Although earning less nominally, a Brazilian worker receives a higher percentage of their gross income than they declare.

Cost of Living: The Big Challenge

Government figures indicate that a person lives on €1,800/month in Portugal (€3,304 for a family of 4), making the country the second most affordable in Western Europe. But this average masks different realities.

In Major Cities (Lisbon and Porto):

• T2 apartment (85m²) in a central neighborhood: €1,500–€1,600
• Studio in a common area: €700–€800
• Groceries (shopping): 500g chicken (€3.36), 500g cheese (€4.90)
• Casual restaurant meal: €12–€15
• Gasoline: €1.69/liter
• Monthly public transport pass: €35

In Medium-Sized Cities:

• T2 in a common area: €800–€1,000
• Overall costs 20–30% lower than Lisbon

Add to this: electricity + water + gas (€112/month), gym (€34), medical consultation (€65). The expenses add up quickly.

Is It Possible to Live on Portugal’s Minimum Wage?

Yes, but with caveats. In medium-sized cities, with strict budgeting, a worker earning €870 can cover essential expenses and save modestly. In Lisbon or Porto? It requires military-level planning: sharing housing, cooking at home, eliminating unnecessary expenses.

The reality: someone earning €770–€780 net in Lisbon spends €1,500–€1,800 just on rent + food + transportation. Little remains.

Qualified Professions: Where Is the Real Advantage

Portugal’s minimum wage is less impressive when compared to wages by profession. Engineers, developers, healthcare professionals, and managers earn €1,800–€3,500+ monthly. For this professional category, the salary advantage over Brazil is substantial and justifies the move.

Standard workweek: 176 hours per month, resulting in €4.94/hour at minimum wage. Qualified professions reach €10–€20/hour.

Portugal vs Brazil: Beyond the Numbers

Portugal: pays more, charges more, offers stability and robust social security. Professional qualification is decisive.

Brazil: pays less, but certain costs (protein, some services) are proportionally more affordable. Salary growth can be faster in specific sectors.

The decision to move to Portugal should not be based solely on Portugal’s minimum wage but on your profession’s earning potential, the city chosen, and medium- and long-term growth prospects.

Practical Conclusion

Portugal’s minimum wage of €870 in 2025 is numerically attractive, but context is essential. For workers with qualifications or valued experience in the European market, the move tends to pay off. For those earning only the minimum, feasibility depends on the city (Lisbon demands much more than smaller cities) and on budgeting capacity.

The best strategy before immigrating: research specific salaries for your profession in Portugal, map out costs in the target city, and build a financial reserve covering at least three months of adaptation. Isolated numbers can be misleading; context decides.