Essentials
- City
- Lisbon, Lisbon District, Portugal — the capital on the Atlantic coast, spread across historic hills along the Tagus River.
- Population
- About 548,000 in the city proper; roughly 2.9 million in the greater metropolitan area.
- Internet Speed
- Excellent in central districts and coworking spaces; common home broadband 300 Mbps–1 Gbps, with 4G/5G mobile speeds often 50–250 Mbps depending on area and carrier.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). Approx. 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD, 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR (rates vary). ATMs from Multibanco are everywhere; cards and mobile wallets are widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and generally safe. In older buildings, many expats still prefer filtered water for taste.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, Type C and F sockets. Standard EU plugs work without an adapter.
- SIM Card
- MEO, NOS, and Vodafone Portugal all offer prepaid and eSIM options. Typical prepaid starter packs: about €10–€20 with 5–20 GB; Vodafone stores in Baixa and near Praça de Espanha are convenient.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, Wise, Millennium bcp, Santander Portugal, and ActivoBank are commonly used. Contactless payments and MB Way are extremely common for local transfers.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Spotahome, Flatio, Uniplaces, and Idealista are the main options. For longer stays, ask for furnished apartments in Graça, Campo de Ourique, Avenidas Novas, or Alcântara.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes. Lisbon is highly cashless-friendly, especially in cafés, supermarkets, transport apps, and coworking spaces, though some small tascas still prefer cash for tiny purchases.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb in Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Príncipe Real, and Santos is strongest for short stays; Flatio and Spotahome are good for 1–6 month rentals in modern apartments.
- Budget Accommodation
- Selina Secret Garden Lisbon in Cais do Sodré, Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel near Rossio, and Home Lisbon Hostel in Baixa are popular budget-friendly stays, often around €25–€60 per night in low season.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Baixa/Chiado for first-time visitors, with easy access to Rossio, Rua Augusta, and Praça do Comércio; Alfama is best for historic atmosphere, though hills and noise can be intense.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Avenidas Novas, Campo de Ourique, Príncipe Real, Santos, and Alcântara are best for longer stays thanks to reliable infrastructure, cafés, coworking, supermarkets, and easier daily living than the most tourist-heavy center.
Business
- VAT
- 23% standard VAT on mainland Portugal; reduced rates apply to some goods and services.