Nomad Watch

Researched Updated Oct 31, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Cascais, Lisbon District, Portugal
Population
242,619 residents in the municipality in 2025. Pordata prints that figure after the statistics institute revised the resident-population series on 22 June 2026. 1
Internet Speed
Average 150 Mbps (Fiber widely available)
Currency & Banking
Euro. On 19 October 2026 the ECB rate was 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD, so about 1 USD = 0.8909 EUR. Multibanco ATMs are the normal cash machines; Euronet machines add high fees. 2 3
Tap Water
Safe to drink. Águas de Cascais supplies the municipality and says the public water does not need a filter. The regulator has given it the seal for exemplary quality. A filter can let bacteria grow. 5
Power
230V, 50Hz. Sockets are Type F (Schuko) and Type C. 3
SIM Card
NOS Tarifário Like is 10 euro a month for 55 GB, with 1,000 minutes and SMS, and 5G is included. Like 100 GB is 15 euro a month. An eSIM can be switched on in the browser straight away; a physical SIM is the other option. 4
Banking for Expats
Revolut, Wise, and Millennium BCP (best for residents).
Accommodation
High demand. Short-term via Airbnb; mid-term via Flatio or Blueground.
Cashless Friendly
Yes, extremely card-friendly, though carry some cash for small 'tascas'.
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Cascais Real Estate.
Budget Accommodation
Nice Way Cascais Hostel (approx. €35/night for dorm, €85/night for private).
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Centro Histórico (Historic Center) near Ribeira Beach.
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Monte Estoril (charming, quieter) or Parede (more affordable, great train access).

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Cowork Cascais, Rua Dom Luís da Cunha 63, Casa Nortada, Alcabideche: a day pass from 20 euro, an access membership from 120 euro a month, and a dedicated desk from 230 euro a month, all before tax. It is open Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 18:00. LACS Cascais, Estrada da Malveira da Serra 920, lists cowork plans from 20 euro and a private office from 250 euro. 8 9 10
Best Cafe for Work
The Albatroz Hotel Terrace for views, or Sacolinha (Av. Valbom) for local vibes and Wi-Fi.
Networking Events
Cascais Digital Nomads Meetup (weekly at various bars like O'Neill's).
Social Events for Expats
Expats in Cascais & Estoril Facebook Group events; Ginásio Clube de Portugal social nights.

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Uber and Bolt (Bolt is often cheaper in Portugal).
Bike/Scooter Rental
MobiCascais (City bike share). €6 for a full day pass.
Best Beach Nearby
Praia do Guincho (World-class surfing, 15 mins by bus line 405).
Top Regional Airline
TAP Air Portugal (Flying from Lisbon Airport/LIS).
Top International Airline
Emirates, Lufthansa, and United (all via LIS).
Highway Access
A5 Highway (Cascais-Lisbon) and Avenida Marginal (scenic coastal road).
Main Train/Transit Hub
Estação Ferroviária de Cascais, Rua Sebastião José Carvalho e Melo, is the end of the Cascais line to Cais do Sodré in Lisbon. 11
Public Transport Passes
Navegante Cascais, the municipal pass, is 30 euro a month and covers regular public transport inside the municipality. On the CP urban sheet that pass is valid between Cascais and Carcavelos. Navegante Metropolitano is 40 euro a month across all 18 municipalities of the Lisbon metropolitan area, which is the pass that reaches Cais do Sodré. The family metropolitan pass is 80 euro and the family municipal pass is 60 euro. 6 7
Regional Travel
Comboios de Portugal runs the Cascais line to Cais do Sodré. On the urban tariff in force since 1 January 2026, the Lisbon to Cascais return ticket is 5.10 euro. A full-price single in zone 4, the band that return matches, is 2.55 euro. 7 11

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Hospital CUF Cascais, Rua Fernão Lopes 60, Cobre, 2750-663 Cascais, phone 211 141 400. Unscheduled care for adults and for children runs every day from 08:00 to 22:00. 12 13
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Rosie's Yoga Studio (Monte Estoril). Drop-in classes approx. €15.
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Holmes Place Cascais (Luxury). Monthly membership approx. €75-90.
Laundry Services
Lavandaria Self-Service (Rua de Macau). Approx. €5 per 10kg load.

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
UberEats and Glovo are the primary services.
Best Local Dish to Try
Polvo à Lagareiro (Octopus with olive oil and garlic) at Mar do Inferno.
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
House of Wonders (Largo da Misericórdia). Buffet for approx. €15.
Best Dessert Spots
Santini at Avenida Valbom 28F is open Sunday to Thursday 12:00 to 22:00, and Friday, Saturday, holidays and the day before a holiday 12:00 to 23:00. A second Cascais shop is on the bay, Alameda dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra 100. 21
Affordable Shopping Spots
CascaiShopping (large mall) and Pingo Doce supermarkets.
E-commerce/Online Store
Amazon.es (ships to Portugal), Worten (electronics).
Grocery Delivery
Continente Online or Mercadona (via Glovo).
Bar/Nightlife Area
Rua Amarela (Yellow Street) in the center for bars and open-air dining.
Local Brewery
Cervejaria Lusitana at Marina de Cascais.
Wine Bars
The Tasting Room (R. Frederico Arouca). Local Alentejo and Douro wines.
Street Food Stalls
Mercado da Vila Cascais (Fresh food market with gastro stalls).
Popular International Cuisine
Cantina Clandestina (Tapas/Fusion) or Lambrettazzurra Pizzeria.

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) rock formation.
Museums & Art Venues
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. General entry is 5 euro. Residents of Cascais, people aged 65 and over, and students get 50 percent off. A one-day ticket for the museum-quarter sites is 7.50 euro. 20
Historical Sites
Cidadela de Cascais (15th-century fortress).
Religious Sites
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção.
Annual Events
Festas do Mar (August) - free concerts on the beach.
Cultural Districts
Bairro dos Museus (Museum Quarter).
Theater Venues
Teatro Gil Vicente.
Local Markets
Mercado da Vila (Wednesdays and Saturdays for fresh produce).
Music Scene
CoolJazz Festival (July) held in Marechal Carmona Park.
Street Art
Murals in Bairro da Torre area.
Cooking Classes
The Oitavos - high-end Portuguese culinary experiences.
Art Galleries
Cidadela Art District (galleries and studios).
Historic Buildings
Palácio de Seixas (current Navy headquarters).
Local Heritage
Traditional brightly colored fishing boats in the harbor.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais is the protected area on this coast and in the Sintra hills. UNESCO lists the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, inscribed in 1995 and covering 946 hectares, as part of that park. The heritage site is not the whole park. 22
National Parks Nearby
Arrábida Natural Park (approx. 1 hour drive).
Cycling/Walking Paths
9km bike path from Cascais Marina to Guincho Beach.
Scenic Viewpoints
Cabo da Roca (Westernmost point of mainland Europe).
Birdwatching Locations
Lagoa azul (Blue Lagoon) in the Sintra mountains.
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Generally prohibited due to forest fire risk; check Abano beach regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
CTT (Portuguese Post) - Main office in Av. Valbom.
Tech Repair Services
iServices Cascais (CascaiShopping) for phone/laptop.
Table Tennis Spots
Decathlon Cascais (outdoor testing area).
Language Classes
Cambridge School Cascais (Portuguese for foreigners).
Libraries & Study Spots
Biblioteca Municipal Casa da Horta de Guimarães.
Community Centers
Centro Cultural de Cascais.
Gaming Lounges
1UP Gaming Lounge (Lisbon, 35 mins away).
Casino & Gaming Halls
Casino do Estoril, Avenida Dr. Stanley Ho, Edifício do Casino Estoril, 2765-190 Estoril, phone 214 667 700. The gambling regulator lists it in the Estoril gaming zone, run by Estoril-Sol. Normal hours are 15:00 to 03:00, and it is closed on 24 December. 23

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Idealista asking prices in September 2026 were 7,202 euro per square metre in Cascais and Estoril. A 40 square metre example is about 288,000 euro. The series is all homes, not studios only. 14
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
São Domingos de Rana, the cheapest group in the same September 2026 Idealista set, was 4,150 euro per square metre. A 40 square metre example is about 166,000 euro. 14
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Cascais and Estoril at 7,202 euro per square metre in September 2026. A 60 square metre example is about 432,000 euro. Idealista does not split the series by bedroom count. 14
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
São Domingos de Rana at 4,150 euro per square metre in September 2026. A 60 square metre example is about 249,000 euro. Carcavelos and Parede, on the train line, was 5,492 euro. 14
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Cascais and Estoril at 7,202 euro per square metre in September 2026. An 80 square metre example is about 576,000 euro. 14
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
São Domingos de Rana at 4,150 euro per square metre in September 2026. An 80 square metre example is about 332,000 euro. 14
Corporate Tax
The general corporation-tax rate for 2026 is 19 percent on the mainland. A small or mid-cap company pays 15 percent on the first 50,000 euro of taxable profit. Cascais set a 1 percent rate for companies with turnover above 150,000 euro and an exemption below that. A state surcharge starts at 3 percent on taxable profit above 1.5 million euro. 17 19
Dividend Withholding Tax
Dividends are withheld at 28 percent for residents and for non-residents. Income from a blacklisted place can be taxed at 35 percent. 15
Tax System
Residents are taxed on worldwide income. In 2026 the progressive rates run from 12.5 percent to 48 percent. Non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income, with a flat 25 percent on employment, self-employment and pensions. Tax residence is more than 183 days in a year. 16 15
Highest Income Tax Bracket
Mainland income tax for 2026 runs from 12.5 percent to 48 percent on income above 86,634 euro. An extra solidarity charge is 2.5 percent between 80,000 and 250,000 euro and 5 percent above 250,000 euro. 16 15
VAT
Standard VAT on the mainland is 23 percent. The intermediate rate is 13 percent and the reduced rate is 6 percent. 18
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes, applicable to entities in low-tax jurisdictions.
Property Tax
IMI is the annual tax on the cadastral value. Cascais fixed the urban rate at 0.35 percent in the 2026 fiscal package approved on 15 December 2025. The fixed deduction is 30 euro for one dependent, 70 euro for two, and 140 euro for three or more. Homes let as housing can get a 20 percent reduction. 19
Property Transaction Tax
Residential transfer tax runs up to 7.5 percent. Other urban property is 6.5 percent. Stamp duty on the purchase is 0.8 percent. A non-resident buyer of a home pays 7.5 percent unless they are, or become, tax resident within two years, or the home is let at no more than 2,300 euro a month on the stated tenancy rules. 18
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
IFICI taxes eligible Portuguese employment and self-employment at 20 percent for people who qualify, and generally exempts foreign income other than pensions and income from blacklisted places. The non-habitual resident regime was revoked from 1 January 2024, with transitional cases kept. A visa does not by itself give that tax treatment. 15

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 31, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. Pordata, Cascais 242,619 residents in 2025Official
  2. ECB, 19 October 2026, 1 euro equals 1.1225 US dollarsOfficial
  3. Wikivoyage Portugal, 230 volts, types C and F, MultibancoSecondary
  4. NOS Like 55 GB at 10 euro a month, Like 100 GB at 15 euroOfficial
  5. Águas de Cascais, tap water needs no filter, exemplary quality sealOfficial
  6. Navegante municipal 30 euro, metropolitan 40 euroOfficial
  7. CP Lisbon urban tariff from 1 January 2026, Cascais return 5.10 euroOfficial
  8. Cowork Cascais, day pass from 20 euro, dedicated desk from 230 euro a month before tax, open Monday to Friday 08:30 to 18:00Official
  9. LACS Cascais, Estrada da Malveira da Serra 920, cowork from 20 euro, private office from 250 euroOfficial
  10. OpenStreetMap, LACS Cascais on Estrada da Malveira da SerraSecondary
  11. OpenStreetMap, Cascais railway station, Rua Sebastião José de Carvalho e MeloSecondary
  12. Hospital CUF Cascais, Rua Fernão Lopes 60, unscheduled care 08:00 to 22:00Official
  13. OpenStreetMap, CUF Cascais at Rua Fernão Lopes 60Secondary
  14. Idealista Cascais asking prices, September 2026Listings
  15. PwC Portugal 2026 income tax, dividends at 28 percent, IFICI and the closed non-habitual resident regimeSecondary
  16. PwC, 2026 brackets from 12.5 to 48 percent, worldwide income for residentsSecondary
  17. PwC, mainland corporation tax 19 percent in 2026Secondary
  18. PwC, VAT 23, 13 and 6 percent, transfer tax and stamp dutySecondary
  19. Cascais council, urban property tax 0.35 percent in the 2026 fiscal packageOfficial
  20. Bairro dos Museus, Casa das Histórias Paula Rego general ticket 5 euroOfficial
  21. Santini Cascais, Avenida Valbom 28F, opening hoursOfficial
  22. UNESCO, Cultural Landscape of Sintra, 946 hectares, inside Sintra-Cascais Natural ParkOfficial
  23. Gambling regulator, Casino do Estoril, Avenida Dr. Stanley HoOfficial

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €7,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €468,000) Cascais and Estoril at 7,202 euro per square metre in September 2026. A 60 square metre…
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €288,000) São Domingos de Rana at 4,150 euro per square metre in September 2026. A 60 square metre…
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €7,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €576,000) Cascais and Estoril at 7,202 euro per square metre in September 2026. An 80 square metre…
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €336,000) São Domingos de Rana at 4,150 euro per square metre in September 2026. An 80 square metre…
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Special Digital Nomad Visa available; tax depends on residency status. IFICI taxes eligible Portuguese employment and self-employment at 20 percent for people…
    23 more changes
    • Best Coworking Space LACS Cascais (R. Frederico Arouca). Dedicated desks approx. €200/month. Cowork Cascais, Rua Dom Luís da Cunha 63, Casa Nortada, Alcabideche: a day pass from 20…
    • Best Dessert Spots Santini Gelato (Av. Valbom). Iconic Portuguese ice cream since 1949. Santini at Avenida Valbom 28F is open Sunday to Thursday 12:00 to 22:00, and Friday…
    • Best Hospital Hospital CUF Cascais (Private, excellent English-speaking staff). Hospital CUF Cascais, Rua Fernão Lopes 60, Cobre, 2750-663 Cascais, phone 211 141 400…
    • Casino & Gaming Halls Casino Estoril (One of the largest in Europe). Casino do Estoril, Avenida Dr. Stanley Ho, Edifício do Casino Estoril, 2765-190 Estoril…
    • Corporate Tax 21% (standard rate in Portugal). The general corporation-tax rate for 2026 is 19 percent on the mainland. A small or…
    • Currency & Banking Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Multibanco system is dominant. Euro. On 19 October 2026 the ECB rate was 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD, so about 1 USD = 0.8909 EUR…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 28% (standard rate for individuals). Dividends are withheld at 28 percent for residents and for non-residents. Income from a…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 48% (plus solidarity surcharge of up to 5%). Mainland income tax for 2026 runs from 12.5 percent to 48 percent on income above 86,634…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Cascais Railway Station (Linha de Cascais connecting to Cais do Sodré, Lisbon). Estação Ferroviária de Cascais, Rua Sebastião José Carvalho e Melo, is the end of the…
    • Museums & Art Venues Paula Rego Historical House (Casa das Histórias). Entry €5. Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. General entry is 5 euro. Residents of Cascais, people aged…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Sintra-Cascais Natural Park (UNESCO World Heritage site). Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais is the protected area on this coast and in the Sintra…
    • Population 214,000 242,619 residents in the municipality in 2025. Pordata prints that figure after the…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets 230V, 50Hz. Sockets are Type F (Schuko) and Type C.
    • Property Tax IMI (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis), between 0.3% and 0.45%. IMI is the annual tax on the cadastral value. Cascais fixed the urban rate at 0.35 percent…
    • Property Transaction Tax IMT (up to 7.5%) plus Stamp Duty (0.8%). Residential transfer tax runs up to 7.5 percent. Other urban property is 6.5 percent…
    • Public Transport Passes Navegante Pass (€40/month for unlimited travel in the Lisbon Metro Area). Navegante Cascais, the municipal pass, is 30 euro a month and covers regular public…
    • Regional Travel Comboios de Portugal (CP) trains to Lisbon (40 mins, €2.30 one way). Comboios de Portugal runs the Cascais line to Cais do Sodré. On the urban tariff in force…
    • SIM Card MEO, Vodafone, and NOS. Vodafone 5G Traveler SIM: €25 for 30GB. NOS Tarifário Like is 10 euro a month for 55 GB, with 1,000 minutes and SMS, and 5G is…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €340,000) Idealista asking prices in September 2026 were 7,202 euro per square metre in Cascais and…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €220,000) São Domingos de Rana, the cheapest group in the same September 2026 Idealista set, was…
    • Tap Water Safe to drink, though many locals prefer filtered due to mineral taste. Safe to drink. Águas de Cascais supplies the municipality and says the public water does…
    • Tax System Worldwide income basis for residents (NHR status expired/evolving). Residents are taxed on worldwide income. In 2026 the progressive rates run from 12.5…
    • VAT 23% (standard rate). Standard VAT on the mainland is 23 percent. The intermediate rate is 13 percent and the…

    fix pass after the batch check: the coworking operator's page was re-cited at its own current address, which prints the street address, opening hours and the day-pass, monthly and desk prices on one page, so the coworking line now carries the hours; the casino regulator page was re-opened and does list the Estoril casino's address, phone and daily hours; the railway station line drops a stray word from the street name to match the map; and the VAT line now calls 13 percent the intermediate rate and 6 percent the reduced rate, the wording the other Portugal sheets use (coworkcascais.pt, srij.turismodeportugal.pt).

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