Minimum Wage in Portugal Converted to Real: Is It Worth Migrating in 2025?

Deciding to move to Portugal is about much more than numbers. Thousands of Brazilians wonder if the investment in relocating is worth it, considering that the minimum wage in Portugal converted to reais seems high at first glance, but the financial reality can be quite different. To make an informed decision, you need to understand not just your nominal income, but your real income after mandatory deductions, your effective purchasing power, and how it compares to the situation in Brazil.

In 2025, Portugal set a new minimum wage of €870 per month on the mainland, a significant increase from €820 in 2024. Converted to reais, this amounts to approximately R$5,500–R$5,600, depending on the exchange rate of the day. At first glance, this seems like an attractive amount for a Brazilian. However, when considering that the minimum wage in Portugal converted to reais must cover much higher costs than in Brazil, the assessment changes considerably.

How Much Do You Really Earn: Net Salary After Deductions

The biggest mistake many make is comparing Portugal’s gross salary (€870) with Brazil’s gross salary (R$1,518). What truly matters is the net salary — what you actually receive and can spend.

In Portugal, deductions are quite high. Social Security deducts 11% of every worker’s salary, a mandatory contribution that doesn’t exist in the same way in Brazil. Additionally, there’s IRS — Portugal’s income tax — which is applied progressively based on your family situation and dependents.

For a single person earning the minimum wage, the calculation is:

• Gross salary: €870
• Social Security deduction (11%): €95.70
• IRS deduction (about 8%): €69.60
• Net salary: approximately €705

This €705 per month is what you will actually have available in your bank account. Converting to reais, it’s about R$4,500–R$4,700 per month. The difference is substantial: nearly R$900 lost to mandatory deductions.

Conversion of Portugal’s Minimum Wage to Real: The Macroeconomic Context

Although the minimum wage in Portugal converted to reais far exceeds the Brazilian equivalent, it’s essential to consider the broader context. The cost of living in Portugal is, on average, 35% to 45% higher than in Brazil — and in cities like Lisbon and Porto, this difference can reach 50%.

According to Eurostat data, Portugal still maintains one of the lowest minimum wages in Western Europe, despite recent adjustments. Even so, it’s not cheaper for those living on the minimum. The government’s gradual wage increase policy aims for further rises until 2026, seeking to approach the European average.

In autonomous regions, the scenario is slightly better:

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

These figures reflect slightly higher local costs but also offer greater purchasing power compared to the mainland.

Trends and Future Outlook: Where Is Portugal’s Minimum Wage Heading?

Portugal’s upward trend in minimum wages over recent years demonstrates the government’s commitment to aligning with European standards. The increase from €820 (2024) to €870 (2025) was a 6.1% rise — above the European inflation rate during that period.

Government projections indicate further increases until 2026, aiming for €950 in the coming years. However, even with these increases, Portugal will remain among the European countries with the lowest minimum wages, below the eurozone average.

For Brazilians, this information is relevant because it suggests that, in the medium term, the wage gap compared to Brazil is likely to widen — especially if the Brazilian economy does not keep pace with European wage growth.

Cost of Living in Major Cities: Housing, Food, and Transportation

Here’s the crux: even with a minimum wage in Portugal converted to reais that seems impressive, living on €870 gross (or €705 net) is extremely challenging.

Housing (largest monthly expense):

• Studio in a common area: €750–€850
• T2 apartment (85m²) in a typical area: €1,000–€1,200
• T2 apartment in a prime area (Lisbon, Porto): €1,500–€1,800

Note that rent alone can consume between 90% and 120% of your net salary. If you earn the minimum, you’ll need financial help or live in a distant suburb, spending significant time commuting.

Food:

• Set menu (lunch): €10–€12
• Meal at a cheap restaurant: €8–€10
• 500g chicken (supermarket): €3.50–€4.00
• 500g cheese: €4.50–€5.50
• 1L milk: €0.80–€1.10

Compared to Brazil, food is more expensive, especially imported items and animal protein. Someone cooking at home might spend €200–€300 monthly on groceries.

Transportation:

• Monthly public transport pass: €35–€40
• Fuel: €1.65–€1.75 per liter
• Uber/taxi: €2 per km

Utilities and Services:

• Electricity + water + gas: €100–€140
• Internet + mobile: €30–€50
• Gym membership: €30–€40
• Private medical consultation: €60–€80

Minimum budget with minimum wage: For a single person living in a big city:

• Rent: €800
• Food: €250
• Transport: €40
• Utilities: €130
• Phone/Internet: €40
• Total: €1,260

Your net salary is €705. You’re short by €555 per month — you can’t even cover basic expenses.

Is It Possible to Live on Minimum Wage in Portugal? A Realistic Answer

The honest answer is: no, without additional help or extreme sacrifices.

In smaller or medium-sized cities, the situation is slightly less dire. You might find rent for €500–€600, making the budget feasible but very tight.

In Lisbon and Porto, it’s practically impossible. You would need:

• External financial help (family, savings)
• To live in a very distant suburb
• To find a job paying above minimum wage
• To share housing with multiple people

According to Expatistan, a person can live better in Portugal with roughly €1,800–€2,000 per month. Below that, quality of life drops significantly.

Salaries by Profession in Portugal: When Education Matters

The story changes completely when you’re not confined to the minimum wage. Portugal offers good opportunities for qualified professionals, especially in tech, health, engineering, and tourism.

Examples of salaries (for a 40-hour workweek):

• Software developer: €1,500–€2,500
• Nurse: €1,200–€1,600
• University professor: €1,800–€2,500
• Civil engineer: €1,600–€2,200
• Receptionist: €750–€900
• Administrative assistant: €650–€850

For a Brazilian with experience, especially in in-demand sectors, migrating and earning between €1,500 and €2,500 per month is entirely feasible — which translates to R$9,600–R$16,000, a huge difference compared to Brazil’s minimum wage.

Comparative Analysis: Portugal’s Minimum Wage vs Brazil in Real Context

Superficially, it looks like: “Portugal pays €870, Brazil pays R$1,518 — Portugal wins easily.”

But when you break down the numbers, the story is more nuanced:

In Portugal, with a minimum salary (€705 net = R$4,500–R$4,700):

• Monthly cost of living: €1,200–€1,500
• Monthly deficit: €495–€795

In Brazil, with a minimum salary (R$1,518):

• Monthly cost of living: R$1,800–R$2,200
• Monthly deficit: R$282–R$684

Surprisingly, both situations leave the person with a deficit — living on minimum wage in either country requires assistance. The difference is that in Portugal, a qualified professional’s salary can be much higher than the Brazilian average. In Brazil, even with qualifications, the gap is smaller.

When Does It Make Sense to Migrate to Portugal?

Your decision should consider:

1. Your profession: If you’re a developer, engineer, or health professional, Portugal offers significantly better opportunities. If your profession isn’t in demand, it’s more complicated.

2. Your financial cushion: If you have savings, you can ease the transition. Moving on only the minimum wage is extremely difficult.

3. Your goals: If you seek quality of life, safety, and long-term stability, Portugal is worth it — even if initial earnings are low. Career progression tends to be faster than in Brazil.

4. The city: Lisbon and Porto are expensive. Covilhã, Viseu, or interior cities are about 30% cheaper.

Conclusion: The Minimum Wage in Portugal Converted to Real Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

The minimum wage in Portugal converted to reais is attractive to those who only see the exchange rate. But the financial reality for those living on €870 gross in Portugal is as challenging as living on the minimum wage in Brazil — perhaps even more, given Portugal’s higher living costs.

However, for qualified professionals, the story is entirely different. Portugal offers real salaries 2 to 4 times higher than the minimum, professional stability, quality healthcare, and safety that justify the move.

The best approach isn’t to look at the minimum wage as a reference, but to:

• Research what your specific profession pays in Portugal
• Calculate the actual cost of living in your intended city
• Save enough to cover the first 3–6 months
• Consider opportunities for career growth in your area

When you analyze Portugal this way — focusing on your profession, not the minimum — migration shifts from a financial risk to a viable strategy for improved quality of life and economic stability.