Portugal’s landscape offers everything from quaint seaside towns to bustling urban centers. You could wake up to the sound of the sea in the Algarve or the hustle and bustle of energetic Lisbon. Lifestyle options abound.
Portugal enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year (more sunny days than anywhere else in Europe), and it has one of the most stable climates on Earth. This country is among the safest in the world, and it boasts international-standard health care for a low cost.
If you want to move to this country full-time, Portugal has one of the most user-friendly residency options in the eurozone.
Best of all, Portugal offers a low cost of living, including the cost of renting a place to live. Here are some of the best areas in Portugal where rent can be as low as 700 euros (about $734) a month.
Affordable Rentals In Lisbon
Lisbon is a sophisticated urban city that blends historical districts with modern architecture. It is vibrant and multicultural, with rich tradition, cuisine, art, history, and culture, all of which combine to make it an exciting place to live.
Lisbon has a well-connected public transport system that includes trams, buses, metros, taxis, Ubers, and more. You can easily get by without a car here, although the city is notoriously hilly. If you have limited mobility, Lisbon, particularly its old neighborhoods, can pose challenges.
Lisbon offers cultural entertainment and outdoor recreation opportunities. There are music festivals, art galleries, live Fado shows, street art tours, museums, historical landmarks, gastronomic scenes, and more. It’s also close to nature, including beaches where you can practice water sports and parks and mountainous areas for hiking.
The cost of living in Lisbon has been rising in the last couple of years, but it’s still more affordable than other Western European capitals and much of North America. This applies to the cost of accommodation as well.
Here are a few current rental listings:
- A furnished two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is available for 1,900 euros (about $1,992) a month. The unit has a living space of 70 square meters and a modern design. It offers a completely equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, and electric water heating. The electricity, water, gas, and internet bills are included in the rent.
- A 50-square-meter apartment is available for 1,300 euros (about $1,363) a month. The unit has one bedroom and one bathroom and comes completely furnished. The open-plan living room and kitchen area have a French balcony with great city views. Utility bills are not included.
Affordable Rentals In Porto
Porto is one of Portugal’s most charming cities. Its historic center was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996, and the city has been named the Best European Destination in several lists in recent years.
The city has solid infrastructure and a vast array of services. It offers countless activities for every taste, with no shortage of art, impressive architecture, historical neighborhoods, parks, beaches, green areas, and, of course, port wine. If you’re a foodie, Portuguese cuisine does not disappoint, and Porto is a stronghold of traditional recipes.
Porto attracts people from all over the world and from different age groups. Locals, especially the younger generations, speak English well. Expats have settled in Porto instead of Lisbon because it’s more affordable but has all the perks of a big city.
Porto has plenty of public health care centers and private clinics where you can have your health needs taken care of affordably. The city has many markets and supermarkets that cater to all budgets, and you could pay as little as $250 in groceries per month if you buy local products.
These are some current rentals in Porto:
- A two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is available for 1,500 euros (about $1,572) per month. The unit comes furnished, has a total living space of 75 square meters, and is just two minutes from a metro station. Utilities are included in the price.
- A 100-square-meter, first-floor apartment with a spacious outdoor patio is available for 1,200 euros (about $1,258) per month. The apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and it’s close to the beach.
Affordable Rentals In The Algarve
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, a stunning coastline of 150 sandy beaches, friendly locals, delicious cuisine and local wines, and a low cost of living, the Algarve is many expats’ favorite Portuguese region.
If you’re a golfer, this could be your paradise. The Algarve is home to some of Europe’s best championship courses, and they all come with breathtaking surroundings.
If you are looking for a familiar community in your new home, the Algarve has a big expat community of retirees, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and families who have settled here looking for a simpler, healthier, and sunnier life. You’ll find a myriad of quaint shops, stalls, and markets where you can buy locally produced goods such as arts, crafts, produce, clothing, and more.
A range of towns of different sizes is available across the Algarve. You could settle in a small, picturesque village such as Ferragudo or Tavira or in a bigger, busier city like Faro.
The largest state hospitals in the region are in Lagos, Portimão, and Faro, and smaller private clinics and hospitals can be found across the Algarve. If you want to move with school-aged kids, several international schools offer education in English, but Portuguese schools welcome foreigners as well.
Here is a rental that is currently available in the Algarve:
- This one-bedroom apartment in Monte Gordo is available for 700 euros (about $734) a month. This unit is just 100 meters from the nearest beach. It has a balcony and terrace, and it has a total living space of 75 square meters. It comes with an indoor parking space.
Until next time,
Kathleen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Live And Invest Overseas