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The fluctuations in the
exchange rate has seen many pensioners ensconced in
Portugal take a
massive cut in their monthly incomes. Where once
pensions stretched further in Portugal thanks to
favourable exchange rates of 1.54 to the pound, now it
is almost one to one and many people on fixed monthly
incomes have had to drastically alter their lifestyles
to accommodate this change.
Utility (electricity, gas
and oil) prices have increased dramatically making it
more expensive to heat and light your home in Portugal. Petrol and diesel prices in
Portugal have
doubled in the past decade with diesel going from 0.68
cents a litre in 2005 to 1.34 in 2011. However although
the cost of rail and bus travel has also increased this
is still reasonably with a single, adult train ticket
from Lisbon to Entroncamento only costing 8.
Taxes have also increased
in
Portugal
with the equivalent of value added tax (IVA)
rising to 23% on certain items. However on the flip side
certain products in
Portugal
are still significantly cheaper to
purchase. A beer, for example, in a local bar in central
Portugal will only set you back around 0.65 with a
decent bottle of table wine from anywhere between 1.50
and 5. Cigarettes and tobacco are also significantly
less expensive than the United Kingdom with an average
packet costing around only 3.50.
Having a meal out with
friends in Portugal doesn't have to break the bank and
there are many low-key restaurants which offer 'meal
deals' at lunchtime with set three course menus from
6.50 per person. Additionally popping out for a coffee
with friends can be a regular treat, outside of more
touristy areas with an average Galγo - milky
coffee akin to a latte - only costing around 0.70-0.80.
Running a car in Portugal
is similar to that of the United Kingdom. However you
will notice immediately the cost of purchasing a vehicle
in Portugal is phenomenally more expensive, though cars
and vehicles do hold their price in
Portugal so you
won't expect to lose a lot in the event of a sale. Road
tax in Portugal is, in general, a lot cheaper though has
increased over previous years and with the
implementation of new 'electronic' toll roads through
out the country the cost of getting around is set to
increase this year (October 2011).
As a general rule of thumb
items which have been imported to
Portugal do
tend to be more expensive than what you may be used to
in the United Kingdom or other European countries. Some
white goods, clothes and spectacles (which can cost in
excess of 800 for a prescription pair).
However items manufactured
or produced in
Portugal are
good value for money. Keen gardeners will notice a big
difference at the garden centres and markets where not
only are plants less expensive but decorative ceramic
pots are practically a bargain.
Calculating the
cost of living in Portugal
is difficult and there is no one average as each family
or couple have differing living habits which will
determine different costs per month. However if you are
serious about moving to Portugal then noting down some
figures to compare to your living expenses in your
country of origin before you make the move is one of the
most important jobs you can carry out.
We have below tried to
flesh out some of the general costings you would expect
to have to pay when
living in Portugal
though when you are next in
Portugal on a
viewing trip it is well worth a visit to the supermarket
to jot down some prices of food and drink items so you
can accurately calculate the cost of your food shopping. |
