At What Cost?

Despite being near the ocean, the cost of living in Portugal is, on average, 30% lower than in any other country in Europe.

You can eat out for US$6, grab a pint of beer for US$2, and drink a cappuccino for US$1. A grocery trip for a week’s worth of food will put you back US$18. Movie tickets—for first-run, original-language movies—are US$6 each. And popcorn, sodas, and candy all come in at well less than US$5 each.

The southern region of Algarve in the country is our #1 choice for living overseas—it also happens to be incredibly affordable… In fact, it’s very likely cheaper to live here than it is where you are now.

A retired couple could live here comfortably but modestly on a budget of as little as 1,100 euros or 1,200 euros per month. Right now, that’s only slightly more in dollar terms.

With a budget of 1,800 euros per month or more, you could enjoy a fully appointed lifestyle in the heart of Old Europe, with frequent dinners out, cocktail hours, shopping, household help, a home near the water, etc.

But the great thing about Portugal is that you could go much cheaper if you wanted… Forgo the frills, and you could live well on just 922 euros (less than US$1,100).

And when it comes to real estate, for about US$200k… you could buy a 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa in one of our favorite towns in Portugal.

Go here to check itemized budgets for each of our favorite destinations in Portugal.