Essentials
- City
- Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- Population
- 105,795
- Internet Speed
- Average 200 Mbps (Fiber is widespread)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD; Euro is the official currency
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and of high quality across the city
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F and C sockets
- SIM Card
- MEO, NOS, and Vodafone; approx. €20 for 30GB
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, Millennium BCP, and Santander are widely used
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Flatio for monthly stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and MB Way are accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Flatio and local Facebook groups like 'Madeira Digital Nomads Housing'
- Budget Accommodation
- Santa Maria Hostel (Rua de Santa Maria), approx. €25/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Town (Zona Velha) and Lido for accessibility
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- São Martinho and Ajuda for modern apartments and infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cowork Funchal (Rua das Pretas 31) - €15/day, €150/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Art Food Corner (Rua de Santa Maria 118) - Great Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Digital Nomads Madeira bi-weekly meetups at different Funchal rooftop bars
- Social Events for Expats
- Madeira Friends weekly community lunches and hiking groups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt and Uber are the primary ride-hailing apps
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Funchal Drive (Estrada Monumental) - E-bikes from €25/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Praia Formosa (Black sand/pebble beach in western Funchal)
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (Connecting to Canary Islands)
- Top International Airline
- TAP Air Portugal and easyJet
- Highway Access
- VR1 (Via Rápida 1) circles the city and connects the island
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Horários do Funchal hub at Avenida do Mar
- Public Transport Passes
- GIRO card (rechargeable); approx. €1.35 per trip
- Regional Travel
- SAM or Rodoeste buses for travel to villages like Ponta do Sol
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Nélio Mendonça (Cruz de Carvalho)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Madeira (Rua da Carreira 110) - €12 per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Ginásio Barreiros - €45/month with pool access
- Laundry Services
- Lavandaria Self-Service Speed Queen (Rua da Carreira)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Espetada (Beef on laurel skewers) at O Lagar (€18)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mundo Vegan (Rua Velha da Ajuda) - Full menu approx. €15
- Best Dessert Spots
- Fábrica de Santo António for traditional Honey Cake (Bolo de Mel)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pingo Doce Supermarkets and Mercado dos Lavradores
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (ships to Madeira in 3-5 days), Worten.pt
- Grocery Delivery
- Continente Online and Pingo Doce
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zona Velha (Old Town) and many bars on Rua de Santa Maria
- Local Brewery
- Coral Beer (Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira)
- Wine Bars
- Blandy’s Wine Lodge (Avenida Arriaga 28)
- Street Food Stalls
- Bolo do Caco (Garlic bread) stalls at the Marina - approx €4
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kampo by Chef Júlio Pereira (Mediterranean Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Monte Palace Tropical Garden via the Cable Car
- Museums & Art Venues
- CR7 Museum (Cristiano Ronaldo Museum) at Av. Sá Carneiro
- Historical Sites
- Funchal Cathedral (Sé), built in the 15th century
- Religious Sites
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte
- Annual Events
- Flower Festival (May) and New Year's Eve Fireworks
- Cultural Districts
- Santa Maria Neighborhood (Known for painted doors)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias
- Local Markets
- Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market)
- Music Scene
- Scat Funchal Jazz Club
- Street Art
- Arte de Portas Abertas (Rua de Santa Maria)
- Cooking Classes
- Madeira Cookery Experience (Mercado dos Lavradores)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria dos Prazeres (nearby) and Caravel Art Center
- Historic Buildings
- São Tiago Fortress (Yellow Fort)
- Local Heritage
- Madeira Embroidery (Bordado da Madeira)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Levada dos Piornais (Walking trail accessible from city)
- National Parks Nearby
- Madeira Natural Park (covers 2/3 of the island)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lido Promenade and Estrada Monumental
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Miradouro do Pico dos Barcelos
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ribeira dos Socorridos
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Chão dos Louros Forest Park (designated BBQ areas)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CTT (Portuguese Post) - Central office at Av. Zarco
- Tech Repair Services
- iServices Funchal (La Vie Shopping Center)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Clube Desportivo São Roque
- Language Classes
- Academia de Línguas da Madeira
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Regional da Madeira
- Community Centers
- Centro Cívico de São Martinho
- Gaming Lounges
- 1UP Gaming Lounge
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino da Madeira (designed by Oscar Niemeyer)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €180,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €116,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €252,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 14.7% (standard IMT in Madeira) or 5% via IBCM for specific activities
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 28% (can be reduced via DTA)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; NHR 2.0 (Non-Habitual Resident) available
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 48% (plus solidarity surcharge)
- VAT
- 22% (Standard rate in Madeira is lower than mainland)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive
- Property Tax
- IMI (0.3% to 0.45% annually)
- Property Transaction Tax
- IMT (Sliding scale up to 7.5% + Stamp Duty 0.8%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Madiera International Business Centre (CINM) offers 5% corporate tax for valid startups