Lisbon: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, with about 550,000 residents in the city itself and nearly 3 million in the metro area. The city lives on tourism, services, finance, the port and service centres of international companies, and over the past decade it has become one of Europe's start-up capitals with tech conferences, accelerators and a large remote work community.

Lisbon suits remote professionals and freelancers earning from €3,680 a month, start-up founders, retirees and people with passive income, and families who want to live by the ocean in a mild climate inside the European Union. It is harder on a modest budget: Portuguese salaries are low, while rent in the capital has risen almost to Western European levels.

Districts where expats live

• Príncipe Real and Chiado - the trendy centre with gardens, restaurants and design shops, the highest rent.
• Alfama and Graça - old hills with views and trams, picturesque but full of tourists and stairs.
• Avenidas Novas and Campo de Ourique - convenient residential areas with metro, shops and schools, popular with families.
• Parque das Nações - new buildings by the river, offices, flat streets, easy with children.
• Belém - a quiet riverside district with museums and parks.
• Cascais and Estoril - ocean suburbs 30-40 minutes by train, international schools, more expensive.

All 24 parishes of Lisbon can be compared on residents, green space, schools and transport in our Lisbon neighbourhood finder: pick a goal and they are ranked by how well they match.

Cost of living

The rate is about 1.12 dollars per euro on 6 October 2026. Renovated flats with views in the centre cost noticeably more than average prices, and many landlords ask for a deposit of two to three months.

Practicalities: climate, transport, housing

Climate. Mild Atlantic: 27-32°C and dry in summer, 10-15°C with rain in winter. Older buildings lack central heating and insulation, so flats are cold in winter and heaters are needed. Transport. A four-line metro, trams, buses, suburban trains and ferries across the Tagus, all on one €40 monthly pass. Housing. Long-term flats are scarce and good options go within days, so start searching early. Documents. The first step is a tax number, without which you cannot open an account or rent a flat.

Taxes

You become a tax resident after 183 days in the country within 12 months or by having a home for permanent living. Income tax runs from 12.5% to 48%, with a solidarity surcharge on income above €80,000. Non-residents pay 25%. A reduced 20% rate for 10 years is available only to a narrow range of professions. Corporate tax is 19% in 2026 and VAT is 23%. More in taxes in Portugal.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need a Portuguese national visa issued by the consulate;
• the digital nomad visa for remote work for foreign employers or clients with income from €3,680 a month, about $4,130;
• a residence permit on passive income for those living on a pension, rent or dividends;
• a golden visa without relocating, through funds from €500,000 or culture from €250,000;
• a start-up visa for projects accepted by a certified incubator;
• citizenship now requires 10 years of legal residence.

We choose the visa, prepare the consulate file and help with the tax number, bank account and lease.

Migration office and timelines

Queues at the migration agency are the main problem of moving to Portugal: appointments to file and collect cards take months, and renewals can drag on. Many applicants obtain appointments through the courts. That is why it matters to file a complete package the first time and track deadlines so you are never left without a valid document.

Is the city worth considering

Pros: a mild climate and the ocean, safety, life in the European Union, widely spoken English, a large expat community and clear visas for remote work and passive income. Cons: expensive rent against low local salaries, cold homes in winter, migration office queues and 10 years to citizenship. If budget matters, compare the capital with Porto.