The Real Cost of Living as an International Student in Portugal

It’s your first week in Lisbon. You’ve just signed a lease for a room in a shared flat near Arroios, and you’re feeling pretty good about the €450 you’re paying. Then the electricity bill arrives. Then you realize your nearest Lidl is a 20-minute walk uphill. Then someone invites you to dinner and you spend €18 on a main course because you accidentally picked the tourist trap instead of the tascas around the corner.

Welcome to Portugal — where the cost of living is “affordable by European standards,” but the real number on your bank statement depends entirely on the choices you make every single day.

If you’re planning to study in Portugal and you’re torn between Lisbon and Porto, this guide is for you. Not the polished version you see on expat websites. The actual, real-deal breakdown of what it costs to live, eat, move around, and enjoy life as an international student in each city.

So, how much money do you actually need per month?

Let’s start with the big picture. The numbers you’ll see everywhere say that a student in Portugal spends between €600 and €1,200 per month. That range is so wide it’s almost useless, right? The lower end assumes you’re in a smaller city, cooking every meal at home, and walking everywhere. The upper end is closer to reality in Lisbon or Porto — especially if you want to, you know, have a life.

Here’s what a more honest monthly estimate looks like for an international student in 2026:

Lisbon: €900–€1,300/month
Porto: €750–€1,100/month

That’s everything included — rent, food, transport, phone, the occasional night out. Porto comes in roughly 15–20% cheaper than Lisbon across the board. That gap might not sound huge, but over 12 months, it adds up to €1,800–€2,400. That’s a round-trip flight home, or an entire summer of living expenses.

Rent: the expense that defines everything

Let’s be honest — rent is the single biggest line item in your budget, and it’s the one that varies the most depending on where you are and how early you start looking.

In Lisbon, the average room in a shared apartment goes for around €450–€550/month. If you want your own studio anywhere near the center, you’re looking at €700–€900+. University dorms exist and start around €300–€400, but the waiting lists are long and the conditions are... let’s say “character-building.”

In Porto, a room in a shared flat typically costs €350–€450/month. Studios start around €550–€700. The prices have been climbing fast — Porto is no longer the hidden bargain it was five years ago — but it’s still noticeably cheaper than the capital.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you: the advertised price is never the full story. Many landlords ask for a deposit of one to two months’ rent upfront. Some require proof of income or a Portuguese guarantor, which can be a nightmare when you’ve just arrived.

Start your housing search at least two to three months before your course begins. Websites like Idealista, Uniplaces, and Facebook groups for student housing in each city are your best starting points.

Food and groceries: where your habits make or break the budget

Groceries in Portugal are genuinely affordable — and this is one area where Lisbon and Porto are almost identical in price. A weekly grocery run at Lidl, Pingo Doce, or Continente will cost you around €30–€45 if you cook most of your meals at home. That’s roughly €130–€180/month on groceries.

Here’s what that looks like in practice: a loaf of fresh bread costs about €1.40, a dozen eggs around €2.70, a kilo of chicken about €5–€6, and fruit and vegetables are remarkably cheap — especially seasonal produce at local markets.

Eating out is where the two cities start to diverge. In both Lisbon and Porto, you can find a prato do dia (daily special) for €7–€10 at a local restaurant. But Lisbon has more tourist traps, especially around Baixa, Alfama, and Belém, where a simple grilled fish can cost €15–€20.

Budget tip: in both cities, look for places where you see Portuguese workers eating lunch. Those restaurants almost never have menus in English, and the prices are half of what you’d pay on a main avenue.

Transport: one of Portugal’s genuine bargains

This is where Portugal really shines. If you’re under 23 (or enrolled as a student), you can get a sub23 transport pass — a monthly card covering metro, buses, and trains across the entire metropolitan area for just €30/month in both Lisbon and Porto.

In Lisbon, public transport is solid. The metro covers the center and extends out to suburbs like Amadora and Odivelas. The city is hilly, though, so don’t assume you’ll walk everywhere — those Lisbon hills are no joke.

In Porto, the metro network is smaller but efficient. The city is also more compact than Lisbon, which means you’ll likely walk more and spend less on transport overall.

Bills and utilities: the hidden monthly drain

Your rent might not include utilities, and this catches many new arrivals off guard.

Electricity: €25–€40/month per person
Water: €10–€15/month
Internet: €10–€15 each (split)
Mobile plan: €15–€25/month

Total utilities per person: roughly €60–€90/month.

One thing worth knowing: Portuguese apartments are often poorly insulated. Many students end up buying a portable heater, which pushes the electricity bill up significantly between November and March.

Health insurance: don’t skip this

If you’re a non-EU student, you’ll need private health insurance starting at €20–€40/month. EU students can use the EHIC card. A private consultation costs around €40–€60.

The fun stuff: social life, coffee, and nightlife

Coffee is sacred in Portugal. An espresso costs €0.70–€1.00. A specialty coffee runs €2.50–€3.50.

Drinks and nightlife: a beer at a bar is about €2–€3 in Porto, and €2.50–€4 in Lisbon. Cocktails range from €7–€12. Cinema tickets: €6–€7. Gym: €25–€35/month.

The Lisbon vs Porto comparison table

ExpenseLisbonPortoRoom in shared flat€450–€550€350–€450Studio apartment€700–€900€550–€700Groceries (monthly)€150–€180€140–€170Eating out (meal)€8–€15€7–€12Transport pass (sub23)€30€30Utilities (your share)€65–€90€60–€85Health insurance€20–€40€20–€40Realistic total€900–€1,300€750–€1,100

Which city is right for you?

Choose Lisbon if you want the biggest international community, more job opportunities, a bigger nightlife scene, and warmer winters.

Choose Porto if you want a slightly lower cost of living, a more compact and walkable city, a strong local food and wine culture, and a cozier international community.

The key to surviving financially is how you live. Cook at home most days. Take advantage of the sub23 transport pass. Shop at Lidl and local markets. Avoid tourist-facing restaurants.

And if you’re coming to Portugal to study a professional course, Facultét School has campuses in both Lisbon (Rua Campos Júnior 9) and Porto (Rua Augusto Rosa 79), with English-taught evening courses in Digital Marketing, Project Management, Data Science, and Graphic Design. The evening schedule means you can work part-time during the day.

FAQ

How much money does a student need per month in Portugal?

A realistic budget is €750–€1,100/month in Porto and €900–€1,300/month in Lisbon.

Is Porto really cheaper than Lisbon for students?

Yes. A room in Porto costs roughly €100–€150 less per month than in Lisbon.

Can international students work part-time in Portugal?

Yes — up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during holidays.

What’s the biggest unexpected expense?

The housing deposit (1–2 months’ rent upfront) and winter electricity bills.

Is the sub23 transport pass really that good?

For €30/month, you get unlimited travel on metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains across the entire metropolitan area.

Do I need a Portuguese bank account?

Not strictly, but it helps. Revolut and Wise work for daily spending, but a local account (ActivoBank, Moey) is recommended for rent.