Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Euros? The currency of Portugal is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival.
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The cost of living in Portugal is generally considered about 46 percent cheaper than in the United States. This, coupled with the country's excellent quality of life, beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, reliable public transport, and rich history and culture, make it very easy to fall in love with Portugal.
Cards are by far the most popular cashless payment method in Portugal, including international cards from Visa and Mastercard. Both credit and debit cards are used, but debit cards are much more common. It's worth noting that Multibanco cards – which we'll explain below – can be used as both debit and credit cards.
Growing in popularity as a travel destination and famous for its beaches, port wine and custard tarts, Portugal is a semi-affordable European country that can be visited with a budget of $50 to $200 a day. My one-week trip to Portugal cost a total of $1,341 USD.
Similar to the rest of western Europe, Portugal does not have a strong “tipping culture,” and there are really no standards or rules regarding tipping. Throughout the country itself, the tipping practice may vary, depending on the region where you are traveling.
Yes, if you live frugally, you should be able to live on $1000 a month in Portugal. However, it may not be possible if you live in Lisbon as costs are increasing, and rental costs are now quite high. If you want to live comfortably in the country, we would recommend €1,200.
For a comfortable lifestyle in Portugal, you can get by with €1,200 as a single person or around €2,000-€2,500 as a couple. Note that in the capital, however, costs are more expensive, particularly rent.
It's cheap partly as wages are so low! But yes, keep quiet. We have had massive rises in taxes and utility bills this year as the government tries to work its way out of the bad economic situation. Prices rises are happening but Lisbon and Portugal generally is still pretty inexpensive.
Depending on your lifestyle, a couple should be able to get by with between $2,500 (€2,332) to $3,000 (€2,798) a month in Portugal outside the major cities. In major cities, particularly in the city center, expect to need a little more.
While the cost of living can vary depending on location and personal preferences, Portugal tends to be slightly cheaper than Spain for accommodation, food, and transportation. Both countries offer beautiful scenery, rich culture, and delicious food, making them great destinations for travelers on a budget.
While Lisbon is the most expensive city to live in Portugal, it is quite affordable when compared to other countries in western Europe, although, what once was a cheap city has seen its prices creeping up. This said, the cost of living in Lisbon for international students and expats is usually still very affordable.
The best bet is to use an ATM/Cashpoint to obtain Euros from your home bank account, or use a non-fee credit card where possible. To read more about fees associated with exchanging currency, using credit cards, etc. take a look at this extensive information posted on the Flyerguide wiki.