Minimum Wage Portugal 2025: What Do Workers Really Earn There

The minimum wage in Portugal reached €870 per month in 2025 — an increase of €50 compared to the previous year. But how much of that actually stays in your pocket? And how does it compare to Brazil? This article uncovers the numbers that matter.

Gross vs Net Value: Discounts No One Talks About

Receiving €870 does not mean spending €870. Social Security deducts 11% mandatory, reducing the salary to about €774 before taxes.

The Portuguese Income Tax (Imposto de Renda Português) varies depending on dependents and family situation. For a single person without children, withholding can reach an additional €100-150, leaving the net salary close to €650-€750.

In autonomous regions, the minimum wage is slightly higher: Madeira offers €913.50 and Azores €915.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Portugal with This Salary?

A single person spends on average €1,800 to €2,000 per month in Lisbon or Porto. A family of four needs around €3,300.

Expense Breakdown:

• T2 rent (prime region): €1,500
• T2 rent (common area): €1,000
• Studio downtown: €750
• Electricity + water + gas: €110
• Transportation pass: €35
• Fast-food meal: €8
• Set menu: €12
• Gym: €34
• Medical consultation: €65
• Gasoline: €1.69/liter

Analysis: With €700 net, living in Lisbon requires severe cuts. In medium-sized cities (Covilhã, Viseu, Guarda), it becomes feasible with budget discipline.

Direct Comparison: Portugal vs Brazil

In nominal numbers, the Portuguese minimum wage is 3.6 times higher than the Brazilian (€870 = ~R$5,500 versus R$1,518 in Brazil).

But purchasing power paints a different picture:

Practical Example of Disposable Income:

In Portugal (single, no dependents):

• Net salary: €700
• Rent (common area): -€800
• Food + transportation: -€250
• Balance: -€350 (deficit)

In Brazil (same profile):

• Net salary: R$1,300
• Rent (common area): -R$800
• Food + transportation: -R$300
• Balance: R$200 (surplus)

Paradoxically, a worker earning minimum wage in Portugal can be financially strained in big cities, while in Brazil they can save with the minimum.

Portuguese advantage emerges with qualified professions: an IT technician, nurse, or electrician earns 2-4 times more in Portugal, completely reversing the calculation.

Evolution of the Minimum Wage in Portugal

Portugal has adjusted the minimum wage annually, from €665 in 2020 to €870 in 2025. Still, it remains among the lowest wage floors in Western Europe — only above Bulgaria, Romania, and Latvia according to Eurostat data.

Is It Worth Migrating with This Salary?

No, if: you will only earn the minimum wage in Lisbon or Porto without additional financial support or prospects of promotion within 6-12 months.

Yes, if:

• You have technical or university training (salaries up to 3x higher)
• You plan to work in lower-cost cities
• You can negotiate salaries above the minimum right from the first offer
• You seek social security, institutional stability, and long-term quality of life

Hourly Rate and Working Hours

With €870 for 176 hours per month, the hourly rate is around €4.94. For half-time, it’s estimated at about €435 monthly. Qualified professions typically practice €10-20 per hour, multiplying savings capacity.

Conclusion: The Numbers Speak

The minimum wage in Portugal has increased, but does not keep pace with the cost of living in major cities. The decision to move depends not on the number alone, but on the full package: what is your profession, the chosen city, the medium-term earning potential, and personal goals. For those earning only the minimum, the experience varies drastically between rural areas (feasible) and Lisbon/Porto (very tight). For specialized professionals, Portugal offers higher purchasing power and more robust salary progression opportunities than Brazil.