Latest news and stories about cost of living in finance in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Is Romania a Good Alternative to Portugal?
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An analytical look at the property market reveals that Lisbon has become the least affordable capital city in Europe, driven by rising costs of living and housing.
A report highlights the significant price gap in the housing market, noting that foreign buyers are willing and able to pay 43% more for properties compared to local Portuguese residents.
A BPI Vida e Pensões study reveals that while 63.3% of Portuguese citizens save for short-term emergencies, only 22.1% prioritize retirement planning, highlighting a significant gap in long-term financial security amid rising life expectancy.
An analytical look at the financial pressures of childcare costs in the UK, prompting a family to weigh the trade-offs of a significant salary reduction in exchange for a better work-life balance in Portugal.
This Wednesday features key economic data releases from the INE, a parliamentary hearing for Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, the election of the Nova University of Lisbon rector, and significant institutional inaugurations alongside political debates.
Leader of Chega, Ventura, has called on the Government to return the additional VAT revenue generated from the recent rise in fuel prices, emphasizing the need to differentiate between individuals and businesses. He criticized the Government's response to the fuel price crisis, particularly the insufficient discount on road diesel, and plans to push for an urgent debate in the Assembly of the Republic.
Chega plans to propose the reinstatement of zero VAT on essential goods, a measure they aim to limit until the end of the year. Additionally, the party is advocating for further government action to reduce fuel taxes.
European stock markets and the euro are experiencing declines as oil prices surge due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly in Iran. US oil prices rose by 8% to $72.40 per barrel, while Brent crude increased by 8.8% to $79.30 per barrel. Natural gas futures in Europe saw a significant rise of over 40% following a production halt by Qatar. Gold prices also increased by 1.2% as investors sought safer assets amid uncertainty. Wall Street opened lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.70%, the Nasdaq down 0.58%, and the S&P 500 down 1.09%. In Europe, while the Lisbon stock exchange remained relatively stable, major markets like Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, and London faced notable declines. The euro fell to $1.1703, down from $1.1817, and also weakened against the pound and yen.
Reported house prices rose 16% year‑on‑year, but the data provided appears inconsistent: the body states prices reached €2,111 per square metre in Q3 last year, while the headline claims €5,000 per square metre in Lisbon. This likely reflects different measures or geographies (national average vs Lisbon city centre, asking vs transaction prices). Verify source breakdowns and timing; implications include tighter affordability, stronger expat/investor demand in Lisbon, and amplified regional divergence in the housing market.
The invoices listed household expenses, including petrol, electricity, gas, groceries, and transport, concluding that all of them exceeded the value of a salary.
A new study has singled out Lisbon as Europe’s least affordable rental market, with average rent consuming over 99% of net salary. The finding comes from financial consultancy Tradingpedia, which examined The post Lisbon named least affordable European city for renting appeared first on Portugal Resident.
In a study comparing 37 European capitals based on daily expenses and average net salaries, Lisbon emerges as the least affordable capital. For those living alone, expenses exceed 127% of the average salary in 2026.
Davide Amado, president of the Lisbon PS branch, criticizes the PCP for allegedly rejecting a PS recommendation on the cost of living. However, the PCP abstained, while the right-wing parties (PSD, IL, and CH) voted against it. The article argues that the PS is hypocritical, as it has historically supported policies that perpetuate precarious work, high living costs, and the degradation of public services, while often aligning with the right-wing on economic issues. The author concludes that the PCP's refusal to participate in this political theatre is what the PS labels as 'irrelevance'.
Lisbon leads the list of the most expensive rents in 127 European cities.
PS leads while AD struggles with the cost of living. In Lisbon, people wait hours to travel while Chega stalls reforms. Between polls and blockages, governance feels like an endless queue.
At a time when the war in Iran keeps fuel prices high, the consumption of diesel and liquefied petroleum gas in April fell compared to the same month last year and also in relation to March, according to data provided by the energy regulator. CP and the Lisbon Metro report no changes.
The fiscal package is a good measure, but it does not resolve the crisis.
Despite economic uncertainty, Portugal's tourism sector recorded its best first quarter ever in 2026. Driven by a rise in visitor numbers and higher prices, total accommodation revenue reached one billion euros. While international demand remains strong—led by growth in the Canadian, German, and US markets—domestic growth has slowed. Madeira and Lisbon remain the most expensive regions for overnight stays, with the National Statistics Institute (INE) noting that the Easter holiday may have contributed to the positive performance.
An analysis of CEO compensation at companies on the main Lisbon Stock Exchange index reveals that they earned, on average, 53 times more than their employees. The Bank of Portugal will reduce the debt-to-income ratio that families must meet for home loan repayments, with the aim of curbing...
The Patriarch of Lisbon thinks the salary gap between Portugal and wealthier countries is “one of the great mysteries”. He could start by solving the enigma within his own house.
Portugal faces a severe rental crisis, with Lisbon, Porto, and Braga ranking among Europe's least affordable cities, as the capital's rental costs consume nearly all of the average household income.
Access to housing in Portugal is constrained by the growing gap between salaries and prices, according to a study by real estate consultancy CBRE. In Lisbon, the median bank valuation reached 2,523 euros per square metre, meaning it takes approximately 90 months of average salary to buy a 50-square-metre property, a significant increase from the 61 months required in 2011. The study highlights a low level of new construction, with only 27,000 new homes built in 2024 compared to 170,000 sales. CBRE suggests that a deep reform of the rental sector, the reduction of bureaucratic friction in licensing, and fiscal stability are essential to address the housing crisis.
Público highlights this Tuesday that airlines are raising ticket prices and charging more for seat reservations and baggage. The newspaper states that the war in the Middle East has doubled the price of kerosene, leading airlines to recalculate for the summer: flights are more expensive, with new fees and cancelled routes. This daily also reports that the AD wants to attract young people to the Armed Forces by offering 439 euros and a driving licence. The programme that the PSD and CDS want to create is called 'Defending Portugal' and operates on a voluntary basis, seeking to 'provide young people with robust training in leadership, discipline and autonomy, and bring new generations closer' to the military branches, says the newspaper, noting that the PS has also presented a proposal for a voluntary programme in this regard. Expresso reports that the Judiciary Police reveals in the latest Annual Internal Security Report (RASI) a 'worsening' of 'antisemitic' acts of violence against official and private entities related to the State of Israel. It also states that these 'illicit actions' have affected citizens and companies from Tel Aviv as well as the Jewish community in Portugal. Jornal de Notícias reports that two-thirds of former mayors take up positions in the State and that political colour is a determining factor, according to a study by the University of Minho. 'Topping the list of destinations is the Public Administration, with a return to their original profession appearing only in fourth place,' the newspaper says. Correio da Manhã states that the Governor of the Bank of Portugal only has 1166 euros in the bank. It explains that Álvaro Santos Pereira - who has held this position since October 2025 with a monthly salary of 19,915 euros - declared to the Transparency Entity that he has money in three current bank accounts. In Diário de Notícias, we highlight that Beijing threatens to retaliate if Brussels approves laws that block Chinese companies. You can also read that inmates at the Lisbon Prison Establishment are determined to denounce what is happening in the prison, which has already earned several convictions at the European Court of Human Rights. They managed to secure a meeting with the management this Monday, but predicted: 'We are almost certain that nothing will change.' Read the DN for this Tuesday, May 5th here. Negócios writes that the Lisbon Metro Red Line is waiting for the EIB to reach Alcântara by 2030. 'The new financing structure for the project, which was removed from the RRP due to delays, is currently being evaluated by the European Investment Bank. The Government believes that the work can be commissioned by the end of June,' it says.
The average rent for an apartment in Lisbon represents more than 167% of the national minimum wage. This is the second-highest ratio among European Union capitals, surpassed only by Prague.
Free transport on Carris, rent exemptions, and free school meals are some of the measures. Moedas disagrees and calls for a national or European Union response.
The President of the Republic calls for the fulfilment of April, especially in the fight against inequalities. Furthermore, Iran guarantees that there will be no negotiations with the US for now, this weekend in Islamabad.
The median value of houses sold in Portugal reached 2,076 euros per square metre throughout 2025, the highest price ever recorded by the INE. There were increases in all regions of the country.
Median housing prices rose 16.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year, to 2,076 euros/m2, with Greater Lisbon exceeding the national average by 1,363 euros/m2, according to data released this Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). Taking as a reference the 164,677 house sales carried out during the year of...
At issue is the Government's decision to reduce the extraordinary ISP discount on diesel by 1.5 cents.
