Vatican City vs Portugal
Portugal costs roughly 31% less than Vatican City, though Vatican City scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portugal is approximately 31% less expensive than Vatican City based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portugal a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portugal has a FIRE Score of 59/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 67.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portugal is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Vatican City
Vatican City is best for ultra-wealthy retirees seeking extreme safety, with a Safety Index of 88.4. Its cost of living is moderate, with a Cost of Living Plus Rent Index of 85, but rent for a 1BR in the city center averages $2,000/month. The key trade-off is no digital nomad or retirement visa and no pathway to citizenship or residency, making residency nearly impossible.
$-100/mo
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About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires $1,031 income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48% (top bracket), so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,185/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Vatican City | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 185.7 +17.9 | 167.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.1 | 72.2 +0.1 |
| Safety Index | 88.4 +20.5 | 67.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 54 | 41.2 +12.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,100 | $775.7 +324.3 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,200 | $2,805.2 +394.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2,000 | $1,039.76 +960.24 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,500 | $823.97 +676.03 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3,800 | $1,755 +2,045 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3,000 | $1,328.84 +1,671.16 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 150 Mbps | 351.94 Mbps +201.9 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Portugal. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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