How much does a worker in Portugal earn in 2025? A real analysis of salary, deductions, and costs

We are in 2025, and Portugal continues to attract Brazilians dreaming of a country change. But the question on everyone’s mind is: how much money is left at the end of the month? The Portuguese minimum wage has just been adjusted again, but before falling in love with the numbers, you need to understand the deductions, the real cost of living in the cities, and whether converting to reais really pays off.

What is the current minimum wage in Portugal?

In 2025, the minimum wage on the Portuguese mainland reached €870 per month, an increase from €820 in 2024. But Portugal is not just Lisbon and Porto — in the autonomous regions, the values are slightly higher:

• Madeira: €913.50
• Azores: €915

Converting to reais, these €870 are approximately R$5,584, which seems quite attractive when compared to the Brazilian minimum wage of R$1,518. However, this difference is misleading if you don’t consider what really matters: how much is left after mandatory expenses.

The deductions that no one mentions

Here’s the reality many ignore: gross salary is not what you actually receive. The main deductions are:

Social Security: 11% mandatory for everyone
IRS (Income Tax): varies depending on personal situation and dependents

Calculating: if you earn €870, Social Security deducts €95.70, leaving €774.30. If there’s IRS withholding, this amount decreases further. In practice, many minimum wage workers are left with €750-770 net salary — far from the initial amount that looks impressive when converted to reais.

Has the minimum wage really increased in Portugal?

Yes, and this is a trend. Since 2016, the Portuguese government has been making annual adjustments to approach the European average. Still, Portugal maintains one of the most modest minimum wages in Western Europe — according to Eurostat data, it’s behind countries like Spain, France, and Italy.

The difference is: while the minimum wage is low compared to other Europeans, qualified professionals in Portugal earn much more than the minimum and have access to better working conditions.

What is the real cost of living in Portugal?

The cost of living is the true thermometer. According to updated data, a single person spends around €1,800 per month, while a family of 4 spends about €3,304. Portugal is the 2nd cheapest country in Western Europe — but “cheap” is relative when you earn little.

Main expenses:

Housing (biggest expense):

• Studio in a common area: €729
• T2 in a regular neighborhood: €1,005
• T2 in a upscale area: €1,518

Food:

• Executive menu: €12
• Chicken (500g): €3.36
• Cheese (500g): €4.90

Transportation:

• Monthly pass: €35
• Gasoline: €1.69/liter

Essential services:

• Electricity + water + gas: €112
• Gym: €34
• Private medical consultation: €65

Is it feasible to live on minimum wage?

Technically, yes, but with important caveats. In small or medium-sized cities, with financial discipline, it’s possible to get by. In Lisbon and Porto, where rent consumes 40-50% of income, the situation becomes tight.

If you receive €770 net, and spend €1,000 on rent in a upscale area, you’ve already lost the entire month’s income. The solution is: look for property in peripheral areas (€700-800), save on food and transportation, or have additional income.

Portugal vs Brazil: which offers a better salary?

The comparison is more complex than it seems. Yes, €870 converted to reais exceeds the Brazilian minimum wage quite a bit. But the local purchasing power is different.

Portugal:

• Minimum wage: €870 (≈ R$5,584)
• Typical net salary: €770
• Basic cost of living: €1,800-2,000/month

Brazil:

• Minimum wage: R$1,518
• Smaller deductions, but still significant
• Some basic costs (local food) are more affordable proportionally

The real difference: in Portugal, qualified professions earn 2 to 4 times more than the minimum. An analyst, programmer, or health specialist earns €1,500-2,500+. In Brazil, this amplification exists, but opportunities and contractual stability are lower in many sectors.

Salaries by profession in Portugal

Qualified professionals earn considerably above the minimum:

• Nurse: €950-1,200
• Teacher: €1,100-1,400
• IT Analyst: €1,400-1,800
• Engineer: €1,500-2,000+
• Finance Specialist: €1,600-2,200+

The hourly work rate with minimum wage is €4.94 (176 hours per month). Qualified professionals reach €8-15/hour.

Is migrating to Portugal worth it?

It all depends on your profile:

It’s worth it if you:

• Have a qualified profession with demand in the European market
• Seek contractual stability and strong social security
• Are willing to invest in the first months of adaptation
• Want to improve quality of life (public health, safety, educational opportunities)

It’s more complicated if you:

• Only find jobs with minimum wage
• Have no savings for the first 3-6 months
• Are used to a very low cost of living
• Don’t speak Portuguese or English fluently

Planning is key

Moving to Portugal is not just about comparing numbers — it’s about evaluating your professional trajectory, skills, the kind of life you want, and the real opportunities in your field. The €870 minimum wage is a floor, not a destination. The real decision involves: what career do you have, what is the growth potential, which city do you want to live in, and how to balance quality of life with financial return.

If you are a professional with valued experience in the European market, Portugal offers a very interesting scenario. If you are aiming for exactly the minimum wage, seriously consider the cost of living and have a financial backup plan.