Portugal is a fantastic choice as your next stop to live and work in Europe. The remote worker life in Lisbon is particularly is exciting, affordable, rich and active. It is not often that one can point to a city and truly say it has all the right ingredients for a remote life, but we can really say that Lisbon’s modern feel and charming culture makes it one of the very best places to live as a Remote Worker. With great food, amazing beaches close by, a rich cultural tradition and lots of green spaces, this coastal city offers a perfect place to settle down and experience an eccentric European culture.
One of the main things that makes the remote worker life in Lisbon so attractive is the city’s affordability. Think of it as having the best of Europe, without necessarily the European prices. A great, modern studio apartment in the heart of the city or some of its best neighborhoods can cost you around 600-700EUR per month and groceries just around 130EUR for a full, monthly shop.
Coffee and snacks are also incredibly affordable in Lisbon, so get ready for many mornings of great coffee and paisteis de nata! The city also counts with an excellent public transport network which is also affordable, as well as cheap taxi fares and ride-sharing options.
If you’ve chosen Portugal for its unique coastal location, Lisbon won’t disappoint in terms of its nearby beaches. Along the entire Lisbon-Estoril-Cascais coast, you’ll find a number of white-sand beaches with lots of amenities and a vibe suitable to every taste. It is precisely this fine mix of city life with the pleasures of beach afternoons that makes life as a remote worker in Lisbon so attractive. We strongly recommend Praia Carcavelos as your first beach to visit -- just 30 minutes away from central Lisbon by train, Carcavelos is a vibrant beach filled with activities and great food.
If you’re living in one of the main Lisbon neighborhoods, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of Lisbon’s spectacular museums and galleries, giving you a sense of this country’s rich history and artistic heritage. If you want to make the remote worker life in Lisbon a cultural experience, we recommend visiting the unique National Azulejo Museum which will give you a perspective on the glazed tiles found across the city and how they reflect the country’s history. The Museu do Design e da Moda (MUDE) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum are also essential if you want an insight into contemporary Portuguese artistic culture. Beyond its museums, Lisbon’s many castles are a window into Portugal’s rich imperial history - we recommend visiting the iconic Castelo do Sao Jorge as well as the Pena National Castle located in nearby Sintra.
You should expect the remote worker life in Lisbon to be chilled and laid-back. In general, people take things slow in Portugal and, although Lisbon may feel a little different as it is the main city, there are still lots of beautiful green spaces and coffee-shops across town for you to relax, have a picnic or even get some work done. If you’re looking for some fresh air in Lisbon, we recommend the beautiful Jardim Botanico, as well as Parque Eduardo VII and Jardim da Estrela.
Beyond the attractions of the city itself, remote workers in Lisbon will enjoy the many networks that connect expats and other digital nomads. There is a fantastic scene here that regularly hosts events and trips, connecting social circles and enriching every remote workers’ experience of Lisbon and Portugal. We strongly recommend joining some of the groups and communities available.
For more information about living in Lisbon as a remote worker, check out our complete Lisbon section.