Cost Of Living In Portugal

The cost of living in Portugal is considered low when it is compared to other European countries. If you are traveling on a budget you can get around the country for about 30 Euros a day. That means visiting in the off season, buying your own food and cooking it, and staying in camp grounds or in a hostel.

If you spend 40 or 50 Euros a day you can stay in a decent hotel and eat out twice a day, but if you want to go first class with all of the amenities you will need plan at least 90 Euros a day. Most restaurant and hotel employees expect a 5 or 10% tip for their services, but some tips are included in the total. Taxi drivers usually don't expect a tip. Unemployment has risen over the years and the country has some major financial issues to resolve so there is speculation that the EU will have to inject some capital into the system in order to keep the cost of living down in Portugal. If that happens prices will increase for food, housing and general necessities, but no one knows when or if the EU will intervene in the instability that is plaguing the country.