Wondering how far your salary goes in Lisbon? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (center)EUR 1,100-1,500 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurantEUR 12-20
Bica (espresso)EUR 0.80
Navegante monthly passEUR 30 (city) / 40 (metro area)
Est. single-person monthlyEUR 700-900 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~550k city, ~2.9 million metro
Official language
Portuguese (European)
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Work week
Monday-Friday
Power plug
Type C/F, 230V
Tipping
Not obligatory; round up or ~5-10% for good service
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Lisbon checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.