Located in the Algarve in southern Portugal, Portimao is the best of both worlds – warm weather with affordable living. The city also offers a large expat community, along with the warmest weather in the country and some of the best beaches in Portugal.
But is it expensive to live in Portimao? Portugal has a lower cost of living than major European countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, and France. To put it into perspective, Portimao is all around 60% cheaper than New York City. Rent is a whopping 80% cheaper!
If you’re considering Portimao as a permanent or temporary home, let’s take a look at the average monthly budget for expats without children, families, and digital nomads.
Guide to the Algarve
Cost of Living in Portimao for an Expat
The monthly budget for an expat in Portimao is at least €1140, making it quiet an affordable city in Portugal.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around €650. However, you can save around €100 if you opt for an apartment outside the city center.
A monthly transportation pass is around €20 or less for buses. Utilities cost around €130, including phone data and cable TV.
For exploring Portimao, eating out at your favorite restaurants, and exploring the nightlife, budget around €160 a month. You can easily spend less or more, depending on your lifestyle.
Groceries for a single person average out at around €45 a week.
Health care could add to your monthly budget in Portimao. EU citizens with a valid European Health Insurance Card can use the National Health Service (SNS) for free for up to 90 days in Portugal. This allows them time to get registered as legal residents to continue using the public health system.
However, 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.
Even if this is the case, they must purchase private health insurance to cover medical care before arriving in Portugal and becoming a legal resident.
Cost of Living in Portimao for a Digital Nomad
Being a digital nomad in Portimao is a lot more affordable than in other European cities, especially sunny ones.
Co-working spaces are less common than in Portimao and can cost around €150 a month. A monthly transport pass is extremely affordable at €20 a month, while this would cost you over €100 in cities like London and Amsterdam.
For accommodation, you can choose to save by booking a shared dormitory room starting at €20 a night or a private room starting at €40 a night.
For a more luxurious experience, you can book an Airbnb in Portimao, which will cost you between €1,500 and €2,500 a month.
Budget at least €200 a month for exploring the city’s monuments, museums, clubs, and bars, as well as some of the best food in the country.
If you have a kitchen at your disposal, this will save you a large portion of your budget, as groceries cost around €45 a week, depending on your lifestyle (and appetite). If you choose to eat out 3x a day, budget at least €10 per meal, so around €1000 a month.
Cost of Living in Portimao for a Family of Four
While having kids will always hurt the wallet, Portimao is quite an affordable city for a family. Expect to spend at least €2160 a month for a family of four in Portimao.
A three-bedroom apartment in Portimao will only set you back around €850. However, prices can go up to €1500 or more, depending on the apartment type and amenities.
Budget around €150 a month for monthly transport passes. However, it is definitely more convenient for a family of four to own a car and drive. 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 higher in the winter or depending on your family’s consumption.
Groceries for a family of four in Portimao should cost around €125 to €150 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. EU citizens with a valid European Health Insurance Card can use the National Health Service (SNS) for free for up to 90 days in Portugal. After becoming legal residents, they can continue to use the SNS.
However, 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.
If you want your kids to attend an international school, this will cost you! While public schools are free, private international schools can cost between €6,000 and €20,000 a year. You could pay around €2000 a month for two kids just for education.
