Moving from
to

Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.

The verdict

Portugal is 16% cheaper to live in. Tax rate goes from 29.8% to 31.9%. Quality of life improves by 7 points.

Portugal demonstrates a clear lead in Quality of Life, scoring 70 to Italy's 63, driven by several key factors. Climate is a major contributor, with Portugal's 72 (16°C) surpassing Italy's 63 (14°C) by a significant 9 points, indicating more agreeable weather. Safety is another strong suit for Portugal, rated 93 compared to Italy's 85, providing a more secure environment. While Italy's taxation score is lower at 26, Portugal's 34 is still relatively competitive given its other advantages. Furthermore, Portugal offers a lower price level (70 vs 85) and better healthcare (69 vs 62), making it an attractive proposition for those seeking a more affordable and well-rounded lifestyle.

Portugal is the superior choice, largely due to its better climate, higher safety, and more favorable overall cost-benefit ratio.

Moving to Portugal? NLV varies by city.

Tax Comparison

At $37,769 USD equivalent gross salary

🇮🇹 Italy

Gross€34,650
Income Tax-€6,813
Social-€3,531
Net€24,307
Effective Rate29.8%

🇵🇹 Portugal

Gross€34,650
Income Tax-€7,249
Social-€3,812
Net€23,590
Effective Rate31.9%

Net difference: $781/year in Portugal.Full calculator →

What Things Actually Cost

Price Index: Italy = 89, Portugal = 75 (US = 100)

🍔

Big Mac

$5.20→$4.90
-6%
☕

Starbucks Tall Latte

$4.20→$3.30
-21%
🍺

Beer 500ml (bar)

$6.00→$3.50
-42%
📱

iPhone 16 128GB

$900.00→$900.00
0%
🎬

Netflix Standard (monthly)

$12.99→$12.99
0%
⛽

1L Gasoline (95)

$1.90→$1.80
-5%
🚇

Single Transit Ticket

$2.00→$1.80
-10%
🏠

Airbnb Studio (city center)

$85.00→$70.00
-18%
See all 30 products →

What Salary to Ask For

If you earn €34,650 gross in Italy ($37,769USD), here's what you need in Portugal depending on your goal:

Same net income (tax only)

€36,011

You keep the same $26,494/yr net in both countries. But Portugal taxes 2.7% more.

Same purchasing power (recommended)

€30,346

Accounts for the fact that Portugal is 16% cheaper than Italy. This is the number to negotiate.

Net Life Value at $38K

🇮🇹 Italy

51

+7

🇵🇹 Portugal

58

NLV combines net income, cost of living, and quality of life into one score. Moving to Portugal improves your overall quality of life.

Calculate with your exact salary →

Quality of Life

Italy: 63/100 vs Portugal: 70/100

Cost of Living
66
73
+7
Climate
63
72
+9
Safety
85
93
+8
Healthcare
62
69
+7
Internet
73
74
+1
Taxation
26
34
+8

Moving to Portugal: Practicalities

Visa Openness

75/100

English Level

60/100

Expat Community

10.6%

Digital Nomad Visa

Available

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax do I save moving from Italy to Portugal?▾
The effective tax rate changes from 29.8% in Italy to 31.9% in Portugal. You keep about $781.37 less per year in Portugal.
Is Portugal cheaper to live in than Italy?▾
Yes. Portugal is about 16% cheaper across 30 everyday products (Big Mac, iPhone, gasoline, Netflix, etc.). Your money goes further.
What salary do I need in Portugal to match my lifestyle in Italy?▾
Use our salary calculator to find the exact amount. It accounts for income tax, social contributions, and cost of living differences between Italy and Portugal. As a rule of thumb: you can accept a lower gross salary because Portugal is significantly cheaper.
Is it worth moving from Italy to Portugal?▾
It depends on your priorities. The financial difference is small. Consider quality of life, climate, healthcare, and personal factors.

Related

Data last updated: · Sources: World Bank, WHO, OECD, national tax authorities. See methodology.