Latest news and stories about cost of living in daily life in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Lisbon is currently the most expensive city in Europe for renters, with the cost of a one-bedroom apartment consuming approximately 99% of the average local salary. This housing crisis is compounded by a significant rise in the cost of living since 2022, with essential food and energy prices frequently outpacing general inflation.
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.
Portugal has launched the 'Volta' deposit return scheme, adding a 10-cent surcharge to plastic bottles and cans to boost recycling rates to 90% by 2029, though early public feedback highlights concerns over system efficiency and accessibility.
A section of a newspaper or publication where readers' letters are published.
The comparison might seem stupid, but sometimes, here inside my tent, trying to survive, I feel like part of a human experience that I am not truly a part of. Chronicle by Cláudia Lucas Chéu
The most dynamic societies are those that promote competition, encourage initiative, and accept change.
More than the lack of diagnoses or intervention plans, the problem that Lisbon residents in particular, and the Portuguese in general, feel on their skin is energy poverty. Editorial by Sónia Sapage
The support measures and exemptions presented by the PS drew criticism from both the left and the right. Irresponsibility, populism, and political opportunism were some of the accusations heard at the Municipal Assembly.
There is something that feels wrong. Perhaps because the city does not belong only to those who can afford the full experience.
The green rail pass has generated over 20 million euros in revenue for CP since its introduction in October 2024, with more than one million passes sold, the Government announced this Monday, the 20th. About 84% of customers purchase and top up the pass through digital channels, such as the app and online ticket office, the Minister of Infrastructure announced today. 'The sale of one million passes confirms the trust of the Portuguese people in CP as a public operator committed to sustainable, modern, and customer-focused mobility,' said Miguel Pinto Luz during the presentation of the green rail pass report at Santa Apolónia train station in Lisbon. According to the latest data from last March, nearly 70,000 active monthly passes were recorded. 'We will continue to focus on the digital experience and service quality, positioning the train as a central piece of mobility. These results are only possible thanks to the professionalism, commitment, and innovation of the workers,' the minister added. The green rail pass came into effect on October 21, 2024, at a cost of 20 euros per month, allowing travel on all CP trains, except for the Alfa Pendular and urban trains already covered by intermodal passes. CP will spend 72.3 million euros by 2036 on fleet maintenance and repair.
The current president of Kyndryl built his career in consulting and reached the top in an international role. It was in that position that he realised that success, happiness, and personal fulfilment do not always go hand in hand. José Gonçalves is the guest on this episode of the podcast 'O CEO é o limite'.
Due to the war, the Portuguese are spending less money on Santa Casa games. In an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios, the Provedor of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), Paulo Sousa, reveals that there was a 40 million euro drop in game sales, linked to how the war has affected purchasing power.
Due to the war, the Portuguese are spending less money on Santa Casa games. In an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios, the Provedor of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), Paulo Sousa, reveals that there was a 40 million euro drop in game sales, linked to how the war has affected purchasing power.
Easter Sunday is also the day for last-minute shopping for the Easter lunch.
The Feira da Ladra has also been hit by the rising cost of living and fuel prices, resulting in fewer vendors and lower sales.
The environmental association Zero argued this Friday for the daily opening of the Lisbon Metro to be brought forward to 05:30, alongside increased service frequency and improvements to transport hubs and stations, in response to the escalating rise in fuel prices. The recommendations come in a context marked by the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent...
The environmental association Zero has called for the Lisbon Metro to open earlier at 05:30, alongside increased service frequency and station improvements, to provide a viable alternative to private cars amid soaring fuel costs. The association argues that the current 06:30 opening time fails to serve essential workers starting early shifts and highlights operational inefficiencies on the Yellow Line, particularly between Campo Grande and Odivelas. Zero acknowledges staffing and infrastructure constraints but insists that management must re-evaluate priorities to ensure a reliable public transport service.
In a context of rising fuel prices, the environmental association lists Metro problems that it attributes to “management choices” and not just a lack of train drivers or rolling stock.
The recommendations come at a time when the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is reflected in the extraordinary increase in oil product prices.
The proposed programme is developed along two axes, including extraordinary compensation for electricity, gas, fuel, and transport costs incurred by private social solidarity institutions (IPSS).
The association states that the stoppage is not more noticeable only due to the fleet of electric vehicles, which continues to operate.
The Left Bloc has requested an urgent debate at the Lisbon City Council regarding a 25-point plan to mitigate the rising cost of living, energy, and fuel prices. Proposals include free school meals from preschool to secondary level by 2026/27, a 30% tax deduction on essential expenses, and a freeze on municipal housing rents until the end of the year. The party also suggests creating a Municipal Cost of Living Observatory and providing subsidies for thermal insulation and transport passes for the unemployed. The initiative follows similar national efforts led by party figures to address inflationary pressures.
In addition to Lisbon, 15 other locations responded this Saturday to the call from the Casa para Viver platform.
Hundreds of people gathered in Lisbon this Saturday to defend the right to housing, filling Avenida da Liberdade with placards demanding action against rising property prices. The protest, organised by the 'Casa Para Viver' (Home to Live In) platform, saw participation from political parties including the PCP, BE, and Livre. Demonstrators marched towards Praça dos Restauradores, calling for lower rents and higher wages. The platform criticised the Government's recent measures, particularly those facilitating evictions, as irresponsible. Lisbon, where residents reportedly spend over 100% of their income on housing, was one of 16 locations across Portugal hosting protests today.
“Tired of choosing between paying rent or eating” was among the slogans of the demonstrators gathered at Marquês do Pombal. The protest organized by Casa Para Viver is heading towards Restauradores.
Protesters demand answers against the continuous rise in house prices
