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Explore Portugal, Europe's best kept secret
We’ve gathered the most important facts about life in Portugal — from the economy, geography, and healthcare to education, culture, quality of life, working, taxes, and immigration.
Geography
92,090 km² total surface area (mainland and islands)
832 km Atlantic coastline on the mainland
4 international airports (Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Beja)
120+ direct destinations from Lisbon
1–3 hours flight to all major EU capitals
400+ Blue Flag beaches, renowned for cleanliness
2 inhabited autonomous regions: Madeira and the Azores
2,351 meters highest point: Mount Pico in the Azores
Economy
10.64M total population (2023)
€268B gross domestic product (2023)
€9B foreign investment inflows in 2023
2.3% inflation rate as of May 2025
Top 3 fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the EU
6.3% unemployment rate (April 2025)
73% share of electricity from renewables (2024)
€27,800 GDP per capita (2025 est.)
Healthcare
€5–€10 per public consultation (general & specialist)
97% of population within 30 minutes of primary care
238 total hospitals
127 private clinics
30+ internationally accredited hospitals
€30‑€50 per private consultation (expats average)
3.5 hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants
24/7 nationwide medical helplines (SNS Saúde 24 / INEM)
Education
96.8% literacy rate (2021)
55 international schools across Portugal
4 national universities ranked in global top 300
30+ English-taught master’s programs
Top 5 most affordable higher education systems in the EU
15.7 students per teacher in primary & secondary schools
22.6 average class size in lower secondary education
5.0% of GDP allocated to education
Quality of Life
#7 safest country rank (Global Peace Index 2024)
300+ days of sunshine per year
82.5 years life expectancy (average of men and women)
Top 10 expat destination worldwide (per major surveys)
95% expat satisfaction rate
58th safest country globally by crime index ranking
30% lower cost of living than Western Europe average
#3 best work–life balance ranking globally
Working
39th easiest country to start a business
€1,525 average gross monthly salary (2024)
€870 minimum monthly salary (2025)
1–2 days needed to register a company online
75% professionals speak English in Lisbon (estimate)
#3 EU country for remote-work visas (D7/D8 popularity)
99.9% 4G mobile coverage nationwide
92% households with fiber‑optic
Culture
17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
#1 wine tourism destination globally (Statista 2023)
100+ cultural and music festivals celebrated annually
#1 surf destination in Europe (Nazaré)
38 Michelin‑starred restaurants (2024)
250+ theaters and concert venues
80+ contemporary art museums and foundations
2,000+ years of recorded history
Housing
€2,622 /m² average property price
77% home ownership rate (2021)
6.8% average gross rental yield in Lisbon city center
12% of buyers are foreigners (2024)
113% property value growth 2010–2024
€500‑€1,500 monthly rent for a 1‑bed apart. in the city
3.3% average mortgage interest rate (2025)
€405,000 average spend by non‑EU buyers (2023–24)
Taxes
35th ranking in the International Tax Competitiveness Index
20% flat income tax under NHR for high-value professionals
183 days or presence to qualify as tax resident
14.5%–48% progressive income tax brackets for residents
28% flat capital gains tax rate on asset sales
0% inheritance and wealth tax for direct family transfers
80+ double-tax treaties signed to prevent double taxation
23% standard VAT rate, with reduced rates at 6% and 13%
Immigration
100,000+ residence permits granted in 2023
1,6M legal resident foreigners (15% of total population)
5 years to EU citizenship, one of the shortest in EU
6+ main visa categories (D7, D8, D2, Golden Visa, and more)
€250.000 minimum investment for Golden Visa
13,000+ total Golden Visa applicants since 2012
2,901 Golden Visa permits granted in 2023
Dual citizenship allowed under Portuguese law