I'm sharing this because I found it interesting: Portugal’s minimum wage in 2025 reached €870 per month on the mainland. If you’re thinking about moving there (a lot of Brazilians are doing this), it’s worth understanding how this whole thing works.

Converted to reais, it was around R$5,500 to R$5,600 at the time, depending on the exchange rate. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? But here’s the real part: after deductions (11% Social Security + IRS), the net salary drops to about €770. That changes your perspective quite a bit.

On the islands, it’s a little better—Madeira is at €913.50 and the Azores at €915. But most people who want to go to Portugal usually point to Lisboa or Porto, and there the cost of living takes up a big portion of what you earn.

Talking numbers: renting a T2 in a upscale neighborhood costs €1,500+, basic food, transportation... all of that adds up quickly. Based on data I saw, a single person needs about €1,800/month to live comfortably. A family of 4 is talking about €3,300+.

The point is: Portugal pays more than Brazil, but it also charges more for living. If you only receive Portugal’s minimum wage, it’s tight in big cities. Now, if you can get a qualified profession? Then things change—you earn much more than the floor wage and the situation becomes interesting.

For those analyzing whether the move is worth it, the key is not to look only at the gross number of Portugal’s minimum wage. You need to consider: what’s your profession, which city you want, and how much you can save per month. In smaller cities, you can live well with less. In the capitals, it takes planning.

In the end, for most Brazilians seriously considering this, the real difference is having a profession that’s in demand there. That’s when Portugal offers the stability and quality of life that makes the move worth it.