Living in Lisbon as an expat

Learn why thousands of expats have chosen life in Lisbon. We’ll talk about expat life in Lisbon to help you see why it’s so popular amongst internationals.

Ellie

5 minute read

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16 Aug 2024

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Living

Portugal's sunny, scenic, and cultural capital is ideal for internationals looking to live abroad. Lisbon has incredible experiences, a huge expat community, and plenty of opportunities. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of everything you should know about living in Lisbon, from the city’s safety to getting around on public transport. Let’s see why expat life in Lisbon attracts so many people!

Portugal is one of the safest places you can live in the world, and Lisbon is no different. Even with parts of Lisbon being popular party spots, it’s a very safe place to live. As with any major city, there’s a certain amount of petty crime, such as pickpocketing, that mainly occurs in tourist hotspots. Violent crime is really rare in Lisbon.

Every neighbourhood in Lisbon is different in terms of neighbourhood safety, but overall, they’re very safe to live in. If you’d prefer not to live in the heart of the nightlife, there’re areas of Lisbon you should avoid living in. While these areas are still safe, it can be a bit rowdier at nighttime with partygoers. While there’s a decent police presence throughout the city at all times, it’s good to be safe at night, as you would be in any major city. Overall Lisbon neighbourhoods are very safe, but it's a good idea to do some research and find your perfect neighbourhood in Lisbon.

Lisbon is home to an enormous expat community, with over 20% of the population coming from abroad. You’ll find plenty of expat events and meet-ups in Lisbon, as well as major international conferences like the Web Summit. It’s a good idea to join expat groups online and attend expat events in person to meet like-minded people and make new friends in Lisbon.

With the recent increase in the number of expats moving to Lisbon, the fluency of English in the city is also improving a lot. While it’s still wise to learn basic Portuguese to help you navigate daily life, English is pretty widely spoken in Lisbon. Locals, in particular, adapt to the increasingly international population using more English. That said, learning Portuguese is a great way to show respect to the locals and their culture.

Lisbon’s rental market is currently the most expensive and the most competitive rental market in Portugal. Finding an apartment to rent in Lisbon can seem pretty pricey, but the average rental prices are consistently dropping from their 2023 peak. Starting your search for your Lisbon accommodation as early as possible so you can take your time to find the perfect rental in the best Lisbon neighbourhood for you.

In searching for an apartment in Lisbon, it’s crucial to use reputable websites and steer clear of listings on social media. Scammers often use social media or create fake listings, which can cause you to waste valuable money and time. Make sure to use websites like HousingAnywhere to avoid getting scammed. With HousingAnywhere, you can safely book your accommodation before reaching Lisbon. Having your accommodation pre-booked is a great help in getting your NIF (Portuguese tax ID) and residence certificate sorted out immediately. That way, you can arrive in Lisbon with a head start and get settled right away.

In terms of the cost of accommodation, the average rental prices in Lisbon per month are:

• For a room: €550
• For a studio: €1,050
• For an apartment: €1,800

The job market in Lisbon can be tricky, but the number of opportunities is growing yearly. In recent years, there’s been a lot of investment in technology and scientific research, so many international start-ups and tech companies are opening offices in Lisbon. As a result, the number of English job opportunities is constantly increasing.

The Portuguese government has even created tax programs to incentivise highly skilled foreign workers to come and work in Portugal. This has contributed to the number of people relocating to Portugal, particularly to cities like Lisbon, for work. On the other hand, this has also made the job market quite competitive, which can be tricky for non-EU citizens who need to secure a job offer to get their Portuguese work visa. It’s best to start your job search in Lisbon early, especially if you require a work visa.

If you’re looking for work outside of the science and tech industries, you’ll find plenty of jobs in Lisbon's tourism, hospitality and customer service industries. Tourism is huge in Lisbon, so tourism and hospitality roles are in constant demand and often have flexible contracts and working hours. Many companies are setting up their customer service practices in Lisbon because of the large international population and the low wages in Portugal. So, there’s plenty of demand for roles in various industries in Lisbon.

One of the biggest adjustments many expats make when living in Lisbon is getting used to the hilly streets. Lisbon is walkable if you’re fit enough to take on a lot of hills. If your fitness level isn’t quite ready for the streets of Lisbon, fear not! Lisbon has plenty of affordable public transport options to help you make your way around.

Lisbon's tram and funicular system will be your go-to for conquering those steep hills, but there're plenty of public transport options to use:

• Trams typically run every 10 to 15 minutes between 5 AM and 11 PM. - The funiculars run from about 7 AM to 12 AM on weekdays and about 9 AM to 12 AM on weekends.
• Lisbon’s metro works between 6:30 AM and 1 AM, with metros running every 5-12 minutes.
• Lisbon’s buses run between 5 AM and 11 PM, with buses every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Lisbon also has night buses so you can make it home safely after a night out.

With so many public transport options in Lisbon, it’s hard to believe how affordable public transport subscriptions are. The Navegante transport subscription costs either €30 or €40 per month, depending on your subscription. Alternatively, you can pay €1.80 for an hour-long ticket. University students can get a free public transport pass if they’re under 23.

If you don’t enjoy public transport and want to travel around Lisbon solo, you’ll find that taxis are affordable, with a base fee of €3.25 and an additional €0.47/km. There’re plenty of scooter and bike rentals available throughout the city, too.

Yes, Lisbon is definitely a good place to live. As an expat, you’ll have a warm and welcoming community at your fingertips. You’ll generally be able to get by speaking English, but any Portuguese you learn will be appreciated and helpful. Lisbon has a fantastic, laidback lifestyle that goes hand in hand with the gorgeous scenery and sunny weather.

In terms of opportunities and career development, Lisbon might just hold the key to your career growth. International start-ups and tech companies are setting up offices in Lisbon rapidly, and lucrative tax programs make working there worthwhile. Sure, finding accommodation can be tricky, but if you’re prepared and start your search in advance, you’ll find your dream home in Lisbon.

Aside from the higher rental prices (which are already dropping), the cost of living in Lisbon is very affordable. You won’t have to compromise on basic living expenses to afford life here, and you’ll even find you can live comfortably on a lower salary.

There’s a reason so many internationals have chosen to settle down in Lisbon. Living in Lisbon as an expat, your life will be an incredible mixture of culture, experience and opportunity. You’ll be surrounded by a friendly and welcoming population, with a mixture of locals and internationals to give you the best of both worlds. Lisbon is a fantastic place to call home, so why not find your perfect home in Lisbon today?