I was researching about moving to Portugal and found it interesting to share what I discovered about the minimum wage in Portugal. In 2025, the floor reached €870 per month in the mainland region, a significant increase compared to €820 in 2024. On the islands, Madeira and the Azores pay a little more: €913.50 and €915 respectively.

But here’s the point that many people don’t consider: the net salary is quite different from the gross. Immediately, 11% goes to Social Security, which is mandatory. Then there’s IRS, which varies quite a bit depending on the family situation. In practice, those earning the minimum end up receiving something close to €770 per month. Converting to reais, €870 is about R$5,500 to R$5,600, depending on the exchange rate. It seems a lot compared to the Brazilian minimum wage, but the cost of living there is also much higher.

I did the calculations for the cost of living: a single person spends on average €1,800/month, a family of four around €3,300. Portugal is the second cheapest country in Western Europe, but even so, the numbers are impressive. Renting a T2 apartment in a common neighborhood costs €1,000, grocery store prices are high, and gasoline is at €1.69/liter.

What caught my attention is that the minimum wage in Portugal only works well if you live outside the big cities. In Lisbon or Porto, living on €870 requires strict financial control. But in medium-sized cities, you can get by better.

Comparing with Brazil: here the minimum is R$1,518, much lower in absolute numbers. But here’s the detail — in Portugal, qualified professions earn 2, 3, or even 4 times more than the minimum. In Brazil, this difference also exists, but the progression is slower. So for those with training, Portugal offers more growth opportunities.

In the end, the decision to move isn’t just about comparing numbers. It depends a lot on your profession, the city you choose, and what you expect from life. The minimum wage in Portugal looks attractive on paper, but the financial reality is more complex. Is it worth it? It depends on your context.