Salary Statistics in Portugal

44% of all foreigners in this warm European country are migrant workers. They are attracted by a large number of job openings, the pleasant climate, and a relatively easy-to-learn language. In addition, the government maintains a friendly migration policy toward those who contribute to the economy. In this article, we will investigate salaries in Portugal — one of the key points to explore before planning a move.

In mid-2025, the average gross salary before taxes increased by 6%, reaching €1,74, including bonuses and holiday payments. Without them, the figure is just under €1,400. Is that a lot or a little? Let’s compare.

Statistics show that the average salary in Portugal is relatively low compared to other European countries — roughly at the same level as in Latvia and about half that of France. At first glance, these numbers may disappoint those considering relocation. However, the cost of living in regions outside the capital is also comparatively low.

Lisbon itself ranks 112th among major European cities in terms of living expenses. Living here is significantly cheaper than in most cities in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Still, to live comfortably in the capital, you need to earn around €3,000 per month. Renting a small one-bedroom apartment alone costs between €800 and €1,000. Such a solid income by Portuguese standards is typical for professionals in rare and high-demand fields. Let’s take a look at the salary statistics by industry.

Portugal is a country of contrasts in terms of living standards. Workers in manual labor jobs may earn the minimum of around €870 per month, while financial directors can make up to €10,000. The paycheck depends on how rare the profession is, the employee’s experience and education, and the region of employment. The highest average salaries in Portugal are recorded in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Braga.

Portuguese employees and foreign workers receive salaries 14 times a year, not 12. Extra payments — equal to a regular monthly salary — are made twice a year:

IT specialists — programmers, product managers, cybersecurity experts, and others — can expect good earnings. The information technology sector is expanding and facing a shortage of qualified professionals. According to a 2024 report by ManpowerGroup Portugal, one in four IT positions remained unfilled. A pleasant bonus is that knowing Portuguese is not always required — there are many vacancies for English speakers.

A large part of Portugal’s economy is based on retail and services, which require effective marketing tools for promotion. The shortage of specialists in this field reaches 20%. However, foreigners will have to know Portuguese, except when working for large international companies like Amazon.

After the 2008 global financial crisis, Portugal shifted its focus toward tourism. The country’s pleasant climate, seaside, and some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world attract vacationers from neighboring European countries, contributing significantly to the economy — 21.5% of GDP. This means there are many job opportunities in the tourism sector, although wages are relatively low and contracts are often seasonal.

Manufacturing accounts for only about 7% of Portugal’s economy. The government is now reviving the industrial sector after a long period of deindustrialization that occurred between the 1990s and 2000s. Focus areas include manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and automobile production. However, the energy sector faces the biggest labor shortage — around 20% of staff.

Low-skilled migrants can find jobs with competitive pay, though these involve hard physical labor. In addition, Portugal’s new migration policy aims to attract more qualified expats and reduce the share of unskilled labor. Despite this, experts from the Migration Partnership Facility predict that demand for manual workers will continue to grow — up to 18%, compared to the European average of 9%. Here are the average salaries for manual occupations in Portugal:

Unfortunately, there is still a noticeable wage gap between locals and foreigners in Portugal. Five years ago, this difference was nearly 29%. Part of the reason is that only one-fifth of immigrants are employed in highly qualified positions. The rest work in low-paid jobs — in construction, manufacturing, the textile industry, as drivers, or as manual laborers.

If your salary is below the legal minimum, you can contact the Authority for Working Conditions (Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho, or ACT). Complaints can be filed online and anonymously. The commission will review the situation in your company.

The minimum wage is adjusted annually by the government. In 2025, it is set at:

Theseare before taxes and apply to full-time employment (40 hours per week). For part-time workers, the pay is proportionally lower. Overtime work is allowed and compensated at least 25% higher on regular days and 50% higher on holidays.

An important note: from the minimum amount, you must deduct 11% for social security and 12.5% for income tax. The result is about €694 net. However, it’s not that simple — take-home pay depends on your residency status, marital status, and number of dependents. Let’s take a closer look.

The Portuguese tax system is not the easiest to understand. To calculate your take-home pay, you can use online tools — search for “Portugal income tax calculator.”

The taxation principle depends on the migrant’s residency status.

The progressive tax system for residents in 2025 is as follows*:

One of the most important questions for migrant workersin Portugal is how to send money home to their families — especially now, as the country is discussing changes to the family reunification program. The authorities plan to extend the required period of residence before inviting relatives to two years.

Supporting loved ones financially is easier with Korona money transfers. The KoronaPay Europe service allows users to send money to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and more than 50 other countries. Transfers can be completed in just a few steps through a convenient mobile app.

How to Send Money from Portugal Using the Korona App:

1. Download the app and log in using your European phone number.

2. Tap “Send transfer” on the main screen and select the country you want to send money to.

3. Review the available delivery options and choose the one that best suits the recipient. For some destinations, only one option may be available — in that case, this step will be skipped.

4. Choose the currency and enter the amount you wish to send. Review the transfer details — exchange rate and fee. The current flat fee is only €0.95.

5. Fill in the recipient’s and your own information. For transfers above €1,000, you will need to upload a photo of your passport or ID card and a selfie. For larger amounts, you may also be asked to provide your European residential address and proof of income.

6. Check all the details and pay for the transfer using a card issued by a European bank.

Usually, the money arrives within a few minutes. The recipient will either receive the funds directly to their card or be able to collect them in cash at one of Korona’s partner locations — depending on the chosen payout method.