Living in Lisbon as a Digital Nomad: Cost, Housing, and Daily Life Breakdown

If you're thinking about living in Lisbon as a digital nomad, I put together a full breakdown — costs, housing, daily life, everything you’d want to know before making the move.

I’ve been researching it for my own future plans, and figured it’d be useful to share everything I found.

Why Lisbon?

Lisbon’s been getting a lot of attention from digital nomads, and for good reason. It’s walkable, has great weather most of the year, a strong café culture, and compared to major U.S. cities, the overall cost of living is still relatively affordable.

There’s also a big remote worker community already established, so you’re not starting from scratch if you want to meet people, network, or find coworking spaces.

Cost of Living in Lisbon

Overall, you can live pretty well in Lisbon for around $2,000 to $2,300 a month.

Housing will be the biggest expense — if you’re renting a private apartment, expect to pay between $1,300 and $1,700 a month depending on the area and the quality of the apartment. Groceries are noticeably cheaper than in the U.S., especially if you cook at home. Eating out casually ranges from about 8 to 15 euros per meal.

Public transportation is extremely affordable — a metro pass costs around $45 a month — and getting a local SIM card for your phone runs about $15 to $30 per month with unlimited data options.

Where to Live in Lisbon

If you're staying for a few months, renting a private apartment is usually the best move. I’d focus on neighborhoods like Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, or Príncipe Real — they’re central, walkable, and put you close to cafes, coworking spaces, and public transport.

When renting, it's a good idea to make sure the apartment has strong Wi-Fi, a washer for clothes, and preferably some natural light, especially if you’ll be working from home often.

Daily Life as a Digital Nomad

Day-to-day life in Lisbon as a digital nomad tends to feel a lot more laid-back compared to U.S. cities.

You could start your mornings working from a café or a coworking space, get a few hours of deep work in, then spend your afternoons exploring the city, visiting a local market, or walking along the waterfront. Evenings are perfect for grabbing a casual dinner, catching a sunset from one of the city’s famous viewpoints, and just soaking up the slower, more relaxed pace of life.

Final Thoughts

If you're considering a move to Lisbon as a digital nomad, it's definitely one of the better options out there — affordable, vibrant, and a great balance between work and lifestyle.

Hopefully, this breakdown gave you a clearer picture of what living in Lisbon could actually look like.