Portugal 2025: How much do you really earn with the minimum wage?

In 2025, the minimum wage in Portugal reached €870 per month on the mainland, representing a new adjustment compared to €820 the previous year. In the autonomous islands, the amounts are slightly higher: Madeira with €913.50 and Azores with €915. When converted to Brazilian purchasing power, this amount corresponds to approximately R$5,584, a figure that initially impresses but warrants a deeper analysis considering the Portuguese fiscal reality and cost of living.

The salary that appears in the bank account

The difference between gross and net is substantial. Portuguese workers face mandatory deductions that significantly reduce their remuneration:

• Social Security Contribution: 11% (€95.70)
• Income Tax (IRS): applied progressively depending on family situation and dependents

With these deductions, a minimum wage of €870 results in approximately €774.30 net, considering only Social Security. With the IRS, the amount decreases further. This means that those earning the Portuguese minimum wage keep just over 88% of the gross amount available.

Direct comparison: Portugal versus Brazil

Superficial comparison favors Portugal: €870 versus R$1,518 in Brazil. However, this analysis ignores crucial variables.

In terms of real purchasing power, the Portuguese advantage diminishes when considering the cost of living. Rent for two bedrooms in common neighborhoods of Lisbon costs €1,005 per month — consuming almost all the net income of someone earning the minimum wage. In Brazil, rent in medium-sized cities represents a similar proportion of the salary, but in absolute numbers, it is significantly lower.

Basic expenses demonstrate this reality:

• Food: executive menu for €12, fast-food for €8
• Transportation: monthly pass €35
• Electricity, water, and gas: €112
• Gym: €34

A person living alone in Portugal spends approximately €1,800 per month to maintain a basic quality of life. A family of four needs around €3,304.

Where is the true advantage

Wage disparity becomes evident when looking beyond the minimum wage. Skilled professionals — engineers, developers, healthcare workers — earn significantly more in Portugal than in Brazil, creating a scenario where professional qualification determines the real impact of the move.

The hourly value of the Portuguese minimum wage is around €4.94 — with a monthly workweek of 176 hours. Qualified professions can reach two, three, or even four times this amount per hour.

Is it feasible to live on minimum wage in Portugal?

Yes, but with important caveats. In small and medium-sized cities, the minimum wage provides a decent life with careful planning. In Lisbon and Porto, it requires strict budget management and usually involves sharing housing or accepting peripheral neighborhoods.

Portugal remains the second cheapest country in Western Europe, which means that even with higher costs compared to Brazil, it offers better cost-benefit than most neighboring European countries.

The context of a possible move

For Brazilians considering immigration, the decision goes beyond numbers. Portugal offers:

• Robust healthcare and social security system
• Economic and institutional stability
• Opportunities for professional growth, especially in technological sectors
• Quality of life in terms of safety and infrastructure

However, the reality is that living solely on the minimum wage in large cities offers limited financial margin. The real opportunity lies in professions that pay above this floor, where salary differences compared to Brazil become substantial.

Final reflection

Portugal’s minimum wage of €870 in 2025 represents more than a number: it reflects a policy of gradual appreciation, although Portugal still maintains one of the lowest floors in the European Union. The decision to migrate should not be based solely on salary comparisons but on a holistic analysis: earning potential in the chosen profession, regional cost of living, actual tax burden, and medium- and long-term professional development prospects. Only with this integrated assessment can it be determined whether the move is justified from a financial and personal standpoint.