Minimum Wage in Portugal 2025: What You Really Receive After Deductions

Portugal has been attracting many Brazilians seeking better professional opportunities, but the question that won’t leave their minds is: how much do you really earn? In 2025, the minimum wage reached €870 per month on the mainland — an increase compared to €820 the previous year. In the autonomous islands, the amounts are slightly higher: Madeira offers €913.50 and the Azores, €915. However, understanding the gross amount is only half the story. The essential thing is to know how much actually ends up in your bank account at the end of the month.

Deductions That Reduce the Minimum Wage

Those earning the Portuguese minimum wage face two main mandatory deductions. Social Security consumes 11% of the salary, a non-negotiable amount for any worker. Additionally, the IRS (Portuguese Income Tax) applies to earnings above the minimum, varying according to dependents and family situation.

Let’s look at a practical example: starting from €870 per month, the Social Security deduction takes €95.70, leaving €774.30 available. If IRS applies, this amount decreases even further. Many Brazilians are surprised to realize that although that Portuguese minimum wage is higher in euros, it isn’t that large after deductions.

Minimum Wage by Region: Differences That Matter

Portugal is not uniform. While the mainland pays €870, the autonomous regions recognize different costs and realities. Madeira and the Azores, with their own economies and specific costs, receive higher wages. This differentiation reflects the government’s policy of gradually increasing minimum wages, with adjustments planned until 2026, aiming to approach the European average — although Portugal still maintains one of the lowest minimum wages in Western Europe according to Eurostat data.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Portugal: The Truth Behind the Numbers

Here’s the critical point: the cost of living in Portugal is significantly high, especially in major cities. A person living alone spends approximately €1,800 per month, while a family of four invests around €3,304. Although Portugal is the second cheapest country in Western Europe, costs will still surprise those coming from Brazil.

Basic food illustrates this well: a 500g chicken costs €3.36, cheese of the same quantity costs €4.90, and a business lunch is around €12. In housing, a T2 apartment (85m²) in a prime area reaches €1,518 per month, while in common areas it drops to €1,005. A studio in a regular area costs €729.

Additional services consume more: a gym costs €34, electricity plus water and gas run around €112, and a private medical consultation costs €65. The monthly transportation pass is €35, and gasoline is sold at €1.69 per liter.

Real Comparison: Minimum Wage in Portugal versus Brazil

Converting the Portuguese minimum wage to reais is tempting: €870 is approximately R$5,584. It seems fantastic compared to the R$1,518 in Brazil. However, this nominal comparison hides the truth about purchasing power.

In Portugal, after mandatory deductions, a worker earning the minimum wage has about €770 — already a significant reduction. In Brazil, although the minimum is lower, percentage deductions are often less, maintaining a larger proportion of the initial salary intact. The result? The disposable income for essential expenses can be surprisingly similar between the two countries, despite the nominal difference in gross wages.

The real difference emerges when analyzing qualified professions. In Portugal, engineers, IT professionals, doctors, and specialists earn much more than the minimum wage — creating a significant advantage for those with training or experience valued in the European market.

Is It Worth Living on the Minimum Wage in Portugal?

The answer is: it depends. In big cities like Lisbon and Porto, living on €870 gross requires strict financial control. The reality is that rent, food, and transportation consume a substantial portion of income, leaving little room for savings or leisure.

In medium-sized cities, the equation changes. Housing costs are more affordable, and quality of life can be much higher without sacrificing too much of the budget. Additionally, those with professional qualifications find salary opportunities well above the minimum, completely changing the feasibility of the move.

Final Decision: Beyond the Numbers

Migrating to Portugal requires a holistic analysis, not just comparing minimum wages. Key questions include: what is the salary potential of your specific profession? Which cities offer the best balance between cost of living and opportunities? Is there real demand for your experience in the Portuguese market?

For skilled workers, Portugal offers a favorable scenario in the medium and long term, combining higher salaries with robust social security. For those who would only earn the minimum wage, the experience varies depending on adaptation to the local lifestyle, city choice, and opportunities for professional growth.

The smartest decision is to evaluate not only how much you earn but how much remains after expenses, the opportunities for professional advancement, and whether the overall context — quality of life, safety, stability — justifies the country change.