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.