Minimum Wage in Portugal 2025: Complete Analysis for Those Who Want to Work in the Country

When it comes to Portugal’s minimum wage, many Brazilians interested in working or residing in the European country seek to understand if the change is financially feasible. The central question is not just how much is earned monthly, but what the net income is after deductions, how salaries vary by professional sector, and whether the cost of living allows for a dignified life. This article provides a detailed analysis of Portugal’s minimum wage in 2025, its tax nuances, and the reality of purchasing power in the main cities.

Portugal’s Minimum Wage in 2025: Current Numbers

In 2025, the Portuguese government set the minimum wage at €870 per month for the mainland — a significant increase compared to €820 in 2024. In the autonomous regions, the values are slightly higher:

• Madeira: €913.50
• Azores: €915

This trajectory of annual adjustments reflects the Portuguese administration’s effort to gradually bring the minimum wage closer to European averages, although Portugal remains among the countries with the lowest minimum wages in Western Europe, according to Eurostat data.

Conversion to Brazilian reais: The minimum wage of €870 is approximately R$5,584, which is more than three times the Brazilian minimum wage of R$1,518. However, this nominal comparison conceals important realities about actual purchasing power.

Salary Deductions: What Really Comes Out of the Pocket

Understanding net salary is essential for realistic assessments. The main deductions are:

Social Security (11%) — mandatory deduction for all workers, with no exceptions. This amount is straightforward and does not vary by region.

Portuguese Income Tax (IRS) (Imposto de Renda Português) — applied only to incomes above the minimum and varies according to dependents, marital status, and tax regime.

A practical example illustrates the situation:

• Gross salary: €870
• Social Security deduction (11%): €95.70
• Net amount before IRS: €774.30

If IRS applies, net income decreases further, potentially oscillating between €750 and €760 in common scenarios. This reality is significantly different from what many imagine when only seeing the gross amount.

Hourly Work Rate in Portugal

Based on the minimum wage and a standard 40-hour workweek:

• Average monthly hours: 176 hours
• Hourly rate: approximately €4.94
• Part-time contract: about €435 monthly

Professions with specific qualifications, experience, or technical specialization earn wages that double, triple, or even quadruple this hourly rate.

Salary Variation by Profession

Salaries in Portugal vary substantially depending on the field of activity. Some average monthly references include:

• Nursing and healthcare: €1,100 to €1,400
• Engineering and technology: €1,300 to €2,000
• Education and teaching: €1,000 to €1,500
• Commerce and sales: €850 to €1,200
• Hospitality and tourism: €800 to €1,100
• Construction and skilled manual work: €950 to €1,400

Values refer to standard 40-hour weekly schedules and vary according to experience and location.

Cost of Living in Portugal: The Day-to-Day Reality

Before assessing financial viability, it’s necessary to know actual expenses. According to cost of living data:

Basic food:

• Fast food meal: €8
• Set menu at a mid-range restaurant: €12
• (500g chicken): €3.36
• (500g cheese): €4.90

Housing (monthly rent):

• T2 (85 m²) in desirable area: €1,518
• T2 in common/peripheral area: €1,005
• Studio in common area: €729

Additional expenses:

• Monthly public transport pass: €35
• Fuel: €1.69 per liter
• Gym membership: €34
• Electricity + water + gas (3 people): €112
• Private medical consultation: €65

Estimated monthly budget:

• Single person: €1,800
• Family of 4: €3,304

Portugal ranks as the 2nd most economical country in Western Europe to live in, positioning positively in regional comparisons.

Feasibility: Is It Possible to Live on the Minimum Wage?

The answer is: it depends on several decisive factors.

In medium-sized cities, where rent ranges between €600 and €900, a worker earning the minimum wage can subsist with disciplined budgeting, especially if sharing accommodation or living in peripheral zones.

In Lisbon and Porto, where a T2 rent often exceeds €1,200, the minimum wage requires significant cuts in quality of life, demanding strict financial control.

Factors influencing the decision:

• Location (central vs. peripheral)
• Lifestyle (home-cooked meals vs. dining out)
• Fixed expenses (dependents, transportation, health)
• Potential for professional advancement

Direct Comparison: Portugal Minimum Wage Versus Brazil

When comparing nominal figures, Portugal shows a clear salary advantage. However, analysis must be multidimensional.

Gross figures:

• Portugal: €870 (approximately €774 net)
• Brazil: R$1,518

Converted to reais, the Portuguese salary is over 3.5 times higher. But this difference does not directly translate into greater financial comfort.

The crucial factor: proportional cost of living

In Portugal, rent, food, and transportation consume a larger percentage of income compared to many Brazilian regions. A Portuguese worker with a minimum wage might spend 60-70% of income on housing and food, leaving little margin for other expenses.

In Brazil, although the minimum wage is lower, certain basic costs (especially food and transportation in smaller cities) maintain greater proportional affordability.

Clear Portuguese advantage: Qualified professionals. Technicians, engineers, healthcare workers, and tech specialists earn 40-80% higher wages in Portugal relative to the Brazilian labor market, creating a greater long-term financial well-being differential.

Historical Trajectory of Portugal’s Minimum Wage

The evolution over recent years shows:

• 2022: €705
• 2023: €760
• 2024: €820
• 2025: €870

This pattern of annual growth (approximately 6-8%) demonstrates government commitment to improving base remuneration, although the pace of convergence with the European average remains moderate.

Final Considerations: Is Migration Worth It?

Deciding to work in Portugal should not be based solely on the minimum wage. Other key elements include:

• Professional sector: Qualified professions benefit from significant salary spread
• Chosen city: Lisbon and Porto require different budgets compared to medium-sized cities
• Job stability: The European market offers contractual security and strong labor protections
• Growth opportunities: Professional mobility and career development tend to be more accessible

For workers with technical or academic training, Portugal offers genuine opportunities for patrimonial improvement and quality of life in the medium to long term. For those receiving only the minimum wage without prospects for progression, financial adaptation requires careful planning and strategic location choices.

A successful move depends less on nominal comparisons and more on a comprehensive analysis of the labor context, sectoral salary potential, local costs, and personal goals. Those who prepare themselves with informed decisions can make sustainable and well-founded choices.