Minimum wage in Portugal: real values, net amount, and essential expenses in 2025

Understanding the minimum wage in Portugal is essential for Brazilians considering a professional move to the European country. More than nominal figures, it is crucial to analyze the net salary after mandatory deductions, actual expenses in major cities, and growth potential in your field.

In 2025, Portugal adjusted its minimum wage to €870 per month in the mainland, reflecting the government’s progressive policy of wage appreciation. This guide provides a practical analysis of compensation, applied deductions, variation by profession, and the budget needed to live in different regions of the country.

What is the minimum wage in Portugal in 2025?

The current minimum wage in Portugal reaches €870 per month on the mainland, representing an increase from €820 in 2024. The autonomous regions have slightly higher values:

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

This increase is part of a strategy of progressive wage revaluation, with adjustments planned until 2026. According to Eurostat data, Portugal remains among European countries with the lowest minimum wages, despite the recorded growth.

Conversion to reais: The Portuguese minimum wage of €870 is approximately R$ 5,584, based on current exchange rates. Although numerically higher than the Brazilian minimum wage, it requires analysis within the context of local expenses.

Mandatory deductions: understanding the net salary

Workers in Portugal face two main deductions:

Social Security (11%):

• Mandatory contribution applied to all employees
• Calculation: €870 × 0.11 = €95.70

IRS (Personal Income Tax):

• Applies to income above the minimum, varying according to family status

Practical salary example:

• Gross salary: €870
• Social Security deduction: -€95.70
• Salary before IRS: €774.30
• With IRS withholding: can reduce to €750-€760 (depending on personal situation)

The progression of the minimum wage in Portugal demonstrates the government’s commitment to approaching European standards, although the country still ranks among the lowest minimum wages in Western Europe.

Compensation by professional sector in Portugal

Salary variation in Portugal is significant depending on the profession and experience:

Qualified professionals in areas such as technology, engineering, health, and finance earn substantially above the minimum wage — often two to four times higher. Sectors like tourism, retail, and services generally stay close to the minimum wage.

Hourly rate:

• Monthly working hours: 176 hours (40 hours per week)
• Approximate hourly rate: €4.94
• Part-time: around €435 monthly

Essential expenses: how much does it cost to live in Portugal

Actual expenses in Portugal vary considerably depending on location and lifestyle habits.

Food:

• Meal at an budget restaurant: €8-€12
• Chicken (500g): €3.36
• Cheese (500g): €4.90

Housing:

• T2 (85m²) in central area: €1,518 monthly
• T2 in peripheral area: €1,005 monthly
• Studio in common area: €729 monthly

Transportation:

• Gasoline: €1.69 per liter
• Monthly public transport pass: €35

( Services:

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

Estimated monthly budget:

• One person: around €1,800
• Family of four: approximately €3,304

Portugal ranks as the 2nd most affordable country in Western Europe for cost of living.

Is it feasible to live on the minimum wage in Portugal?

Feasibility depends on multiple factors:

Decisive factors: Chosen region, personal lifestyle, fixed expenses, access to social benefits.

In cities like Lisbon and Porto, living on €870 )reduced to €770 net### requires strict budgeting and often supplementary income or shared housing. In medium-sized urban centers, adaptation is more sustainable, with more room for discretionary expenses.

Comparative analysis: Portugal and Brazil for Brazilian workers

The comparison between the two countries reveals important nuances beyond nominal values.

Data for 2025:

• Minimum wage Portugal (mainland): €870
• Minimum salary Brazil: R$1,518
• Equivalent in reais (Portugal): R$5,500–R$5,600

Although Portugal pays more than three times nominally, the real purchasing power is closer than it appears at first glance.

Significant differences:

Portugal charges proportionally more for housing, food, and utilities. A Portuguese worker earning the minimum wage will have approximately €770 net after deductions, of which €1,000–€1,200 are spent on rent, leaving little margin for other expenses.

In Brazil, despite the lower salary, some basic costs are more proportionate to income in certain regions.

Portuguese advantage: Qualified professionals earn significantly higher salaries in Portugal, creating a notable differential for workers with specialized training or valued experience in the European market.

Realistic perspective: before migrating

Migrating to Portugal requires a multidimensional analysis, not limited to comparing minimum wages:

• Salary potential in your profession: Research specific remuneration for your area in Portugal
• Location selection: Distinguish between Lisbon/Porto (more expensive) and medium centers
• Growth prospects: Evaluate opportunities for professional development in the medium term
• Tax environment: Understand available tax benefits for new residents
• Labor market demand: Check stability and demand in your professional field

Conclusion

The minimum wage in Portugal, set at €870 for 2025, represents a financial reality quite different from the superficiality of converted numbers. For those earning only the base minimum, the experience requires adaptation, careful location selection, and often supplementary income.

For qualified professionals, Portugal offers a more favorable context: higher salaries, stability, robust social security, and a good quality of life — especially compared to certain Brazilian regions.

The decision to migrate should not be based solely on the minimum wage but on a holistic assessment: your specific profession’s remuneration, the cost of living in your target city, career opportunities, and long-term personal goals.