Determining the Ideal Gross Salary for a Family of Four in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal

Planning to make a move to Portugal? Specifically, Lisbon or Porto, for a family of four with two children, requires careful evaluation of the cost of living to ensure a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle. In this article, we break down the various expenses that a family needs to consider, from housing and utilities to healthcare and education, to help you determine the required gross salary.

Cost of Living Overview

Housing

Lisbon: Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood can range from €1,500 to €2,500 per month. Porto: Rent is generally lower, with similar accommodations costing between €1,000 and €1,800 per month.

Utilities

Expect to pay around €150 to €250 per month for electricity, water, gas, and internet.

Food

Monthly grocery costs for a family of four can range from €400 to €600.

Transportation

Affordable public transport with a monthly pass costing around €40 per adult can help manage transportation costs, and owning a car would involve additional expenses for fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

Healthcare

Portugal has a public healthcare system, but private health insurance can cost around €50 to €100 per person per month.

Education

Public schools are free, but international or private schools can cost between €5,000 and €15,000 per year per child.

Leisure and Miscellaneous

Dining out, entertainment, and other activities should be budgeted around €200 to €400 per month.

Estimated Monthly Costs

Lisbon

Estimated monthly costs: Approximately €2,800 to €4,200

Porto

Estimated monthly costs: Approximately €2,300 to €3,500

Gross Salary Requirement

To cover these expenses, it's ideal to have a net salary that is about 70% of your gross salary. Based on this calculation, you would likely need:

Lisbon: Net salary: Approximately €3,000 to €4,000 per month Gross salary: Approximately €4,200 to €5,700 per month, considering tax rates Porto: Net salary: Approximately €2,500 to €3,500 per month Gross salary: Approximately €3,500 to €5,000 per month, considering tax rates

Conclusion

Based on these calculations, a gross monthly salary of around €4,200 to €5,700 in Lisbon and €3,500 to €5,000 in Porto would enable a family of four to live comfortably, cover all essential expenses, and allow for some leisure activities. However, adjustments may be required depending on specific neighborhood choices, lifestyle preferences, and personal financial goals.