If you are looking to move to Portugal but the capital’s higher prices are putting you off, there are plenty of cosmopolitan cities that remain affordable. Coimbra, once the proud capital of the Portuguese nation, is still relatively affordable, despite rising prices all over the country.
One of Portugal’s oldest cities, Coimbra boasts the oldest University in Portugal, which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a place full of history and culture.
The best part – Coimbra is around 25% to 30% cheaper than Lisbon. But how much does it exactly cost to live in Coimbra? Let’s take a look at the monthly budget for an expat, digital nomad, and family of four in Coimbra.
Cost of Living in Coimbra for an Expat
The monthly budget for an expat in Coimbra, Portugal, is at least €1,000 if you want to live in the center.
A one-bedroom apartment in the center costs around €530. Outside of the center, it can cost around €380.
A monthly transportation pass is around €30 or less per person. Utilities cost around €130, including phone data and cable TV.
For exploring Coimbra, eating out at your favorite restaurants, and exploring the nightlife, budget around €150 a month. You can easily spend more, this depends on your lifestyle.
Groceries for a single person average out at around €40 a week.
Cost of Living in Coimbra for a Digital Nomad
The cost of living in Coimbra for a digital nomad is at least €1,090 a month. This is the case if you sleep in a hostel’s dorm and cook most of your meals. If not, expect to need €3,000+ a month in Coimbra.
How did we get from around €1,000 to over €3,000? If you opt for the budget option of a shared dorm in a hostel, expect only to need to pay €20 a night, so around €600 a month. However, a private Airbnb would cost you at least €2,000.
Renting a desk at a co-working place in Coimbra costs around €100. Transportation costs around €30.
Budget at least €200 for leisure such as eating out, bars, and tourists to discover the island.
Food can easily max out your monthly budget. If you want to save and have a kitchen at your disposal, a weekly shop shouldn’t cost more than €40.
However, if you plan to eat out, an affordable meal is around €10. This would set you back around €1,000 in a month.
Cost of Living in Coimbra for a Family of Four
Expect to spend at least around €2,000 a month for a family of four in Coimbra, which is more than double the budget of a single expat.
However, if you need health insurance for the entire family and your two kids will attend private school, you will spend thousands more.
A three-bedroom apartment in the center of Coimbra will only set you back around €725. However, prices can go up to €1,000, depending on the apartment type and amenities. Moreover, if you want to save money, opting for an apartment outside the center can save you another couple hundred euros.
Budget around €150 a month for monthly transport passes. However, it is more convenient for a family of four to own a car and drive around Coimbra. This way, you can also more easily visit neighboring cities. Fuel will cost you anywhere between €150 and €250 a month.
Utilities cost around €160 and include electricity, heating, water, etc. However, this can be much higher in the winter or depending on your family’s consumption.
Groceries for a family of four in Coimbra should cost around €125 a week, so budget at least €500 a month.
If you need to purchase health insurance for the whole family, this will cost you at least €200 a month.
However, you might be eligible to use access to healthcare for free, even if you are not an EU resident. Non-EU citizens are only entitled to use the public health system if they are employed and pay social security in Portugal, having to be registered as legal residents as well.
While public schools are free, private schools can cost anywhere between €6000 and €2000 a year, depending on the establishment and age of your child. You could pay around €4000 a month for two kids just for education.
