Updated 25 October 2026
Quick answer: In Portugal in 2026, the minimum wage is €1,073/month (about $1,201 a month full time); an average earner keeps 75% of their pay after income tax and social security; mortgage rates are about 3.03%; household electricity costs €0.237 per kWh; petrol is €2.10/L, up 24.5% since February. The table below puts 10 everyday money measures for Portugal side by side and ranks each one against the other countries in our data, using official figures from national statistics offices, central banks, the OECD and Eurostat.
Against the other countries in our data, Portugal stands out here: its state pension (as a share of pay), 92.7% of net pay, is the 5th highest of 50 countries; its mortgage rate, 3.03% (new home loans, August 2026), is the 6th lowest of 31 countries. It sits nearer the middle for household electricity price, minimum wage and tax on an average wage. It has no inheritance tax for children.
Portugal at a Glance
| Measure | Portugal | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | €1,073/month (≈ $1,201/month) | 19th lowest of 38 |
| Tax on an average wage | 24.9% (keeps 75%) | 19th lowest of 38 |
| Mortgage rate | 3.03% (new home loans, August 2026) | 6th lowest of 31 |
| Electricity (household) | €0.237/kWh (≈ $0.27) | 15th lowest of 33 |
| Petrol price | €2.10/L (+24.5% since Feb) | 7th highest of 29 |
| State pension age | 66 y 9 m | 10th highest of 39 |
| Pension (share of pay) | 92.7% of net pay | 5th highest of 50 |
| Bank deposit protection | €100,000 per person, per bank | — |
| Inheritance tax (children) | None | — |
| Retirement visa income | €920 a month (+50% spouse) | — |
Rank compares Portugal with the other countries in each dataset; "highest" means the largest value. "—" means the measure isn't ranked.
Minimum Wage in Portugal (2026)
The legal minimum wage in Portugal is €1,073/month. For a month of full-time work that is about $1,201 at current exchange rates, 19th lowest of 38 countries in our comparison.
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Income Tax and Take-Home Pay in Portugal
A single worker on the average wage in Portugal (about $46,000 at purchasing-power parity) pays 24.9% of gross pay in income tax and employee social security, so they keep 75%. That is 19th lowest of 38 countries, against an OECD average of 25.1%.
Income tax and employee social security take 24.9% of pay at the average wage, 20.9% at two-thirds of it and 32.2% at 1.67 times it. Including employer contributions, the total tax wedge is 39.3% of labour costs.
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Mortgage Rates in Portugal (2026)
The typical mortgage rate in Portugal is 3.03% (new home loans, August 2026), 6th lowest of 31 countries; the euro area average is 3.6%.
Up 0.20 points since February 2026 (2.83%). Monthly payment per €100,000 over 25 years: €476.
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Electricity Prices in Portugal
Households in Portugal pay about €0.237 per kWh of electricity (about $0.27), 15th cheapest of 33 countries; the EU average is €0.283. Change: −2.8% vs late 2025.
Household gas: €0.126 per kWh. Typical household using 2,500–5,000 kWh a year, all taxes included, January–June 2026.
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Petrol Prices in Portugal Since the Iran War
Petrol in Portugal costs €2.10/L (week of 19 October 2026), up 24.5% from €1.69/L in the week before the Iran war began. It peaked at €2.11/L (12 Oct). At about $2.35 a litre it is 7th most expensive of 29 countries, and the rise is 15th smallest of 29 countries.
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Retirement Age in Portugal
The state pension age in Portugal is 66 y 9 m for people reaching it in 2026; the earliest you can claim is 60 with long careers (reduced). Future change: Linked to life expectancy.
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How Much the State Pension Pays in Portugal
A full-career average earner in Portugal can expect a mandatory pension worth about 92.7% of their previous net pay, 5th most generous of 50 countries (OECD average 63.2%). Low earner (half the average wage): 91%. High earner (twice the average): 94%.
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How Much of Your Money Is Protected in Portugal
Bank deposits in Portugal are protected up to €100,000 per depositor, per bank (about $111,900), the limit set by EU law for every member state. Harmonised by EU law; local-currency equivalent outside the euro. Money in payment apps and e-money wallets is usually not covered.
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Inheritance Tax in Portugal
Portugal has no inheritance tax for children. 10% stamp duty applies to other heirs.
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Retiring to Portugal From Abroad
Foreign retirees usually move to Portugal on the D7 passive income visa, which requires €920 a month (+50% spouse) (about $1,030 a month). Prices are about 60% of US levels, so $2,000 buys roughly what $3,310 would in the US. Foreign pensions taxed at normal Portuguese rates since the NHR regime closed to new applicants in 2024.
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Portugal vs Greece, Italy and Spain
The same measures for Portugal and its nearest neighbours in our data, side by side.
| Measure | Portugal | Greece | Italy | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | €1,073/month (≈ $1,201/month) | €1,073/month (≈ $1,201/month) | None by law (collective agreements) | €1,425/month (≈ $1,595/month) |
| Tax on an average wage | 24.9% (keeps 75%) | 26.1% (keeps 74%) | 28.6% (keeps 71%) | 23.5% (keeps 76%) |
| Mortgage rate | 3.03% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.3% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.58% (new home loans, August 2026) | 3.04% (new home loans, August 2026) |
| Electricity (household) | €0.237/kWh (≈ $0.27) | €0.240/kWh (≈ $0.27) | €0.314/kWh (≈ $0.35) | €0.251/kWh (≈ $0.28) |
| Petrol price | €2.10/L (+24.5% since Feb) | €2.19/L (+26.1% since Feb) | €2.02/L (+21.8% since Feb) | €1.78/L (+21% since Feb) |
| State pension age | 66 y 9 m | 67 | 67 | 66 y 10 m |
| Pension (share of pay) | 92.7% of net pay | 88.5% of net pay | 79% of net pay | 86.3% of net pay |
| Bank deposit protection | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank | €100,000 per person, per bank |
| Inheritance tax (children) | None | — | top rate 4% | top rate 34% |
| Retirement visa income | €920 a month (+50% spouse) | About €3,500 a month | No fixed figure (often about €31,000 a year) | €2,400 a month (+€600 per dependant) |
Compare Portugal With Other Countries
See every country side by side in Compare Countries 2026: Wages, Tax, Mortgages and Pensions, or compare Portugal with nearby countries in our data: Greece, Italy, Spain and France.
Related Guides
Figures checked against the official sources listed in each linked guide in October 2026. Exchange-rate conversions are approximate. This page is for information and isn't financial or legal advice.
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