Eastern Algarve, Portugal

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Quaint Life In The Eastern Algarve

Reviewed by Kathleen Peddicord

Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.


The Cost Of Living In The Eastern Algarve, Portugal

Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
Mortgage3% to 4%It’s difficult to get a mortgage unless you deposit comparable funds in a Portuguese bank account.
HOA Fees€34This can range from €0 to €100 depending on the unit size and value as well as property amenities.
Property Taxes€37.5About €450 annually. If over 1.2 million euros, the cost is 3%. If you purchase a small unit, the value of that unit may qualify for a special program that waives property taxes for the first three years of ownership. Ask your real estate lawyer if you qualify.
Transportation€70New cars range from €14,000 and up. Extensive coverage car insurance ranges from €350 per year and up.
Gas€10 to €12Using a water heater.
Electricity€100With heating and air conditioning in each room, plus costs for appliance-use and cooking. These figures are based on a 125-square-meter, ground-floor, condo apartment built in 2007 with a B+ energy rating. Heating and air conditioning costs will be affected by your energy rating.
Water€50Including water, sewage, garbage collection, and community landscaping provided by Tavira Verde.
Cell PhoneIncluded in internet bill.
Internet€85MEO brand bundle includes service for two cell phones, plus basic HG cable TV with music channels, Portuguese, English, French, and German programming, and high-speed, fibre-optic Wi-Fi.
Cable TVIncluded in internet fee.
Household Help€40For bi-monthly, four-hour visits. The standard rate is €7 per hour.
Entertainment€434Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: €60 to €70.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: €20 (€8 to €10 for a bottle of wine; €3 for a beer).
Movie theater trip twice a month: €36 (€6.50 each for seniors, plus snacks).
Groceries€160
Gym Membership€70Rolling membership at Hitio Gym or pilates classes twice a week.
Medical Appointment€30Cost for private GP and medical specialist visit at Taviclinica. Dental check-up/cleaning at Ecodenta is €60.
National Health System charges tax only on visits (€4) and basic tests (upwards from €10). However, no dental or specialist services are available at the local health center.
TOTAL€1,120.50 to €1,122.50

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
Rent€500 to €600One-bedroom, unfurnished apartment in the city center: €500.
Two-bedroom, unfurnished apartment in city center: €600.
Three-bedroom apartment in a modern urbanization (with a parking garage) in walking distance to downtown: €800
Transportation€70
Gas€10 to €12Using a water heater.
Electricity€100With heating and air conditioning in each room, plus costs for appliance-use and cooking. These figures are based on a 125-square-meter, ground-floor, condo apartment built in 2007 with a B+ energy rating. Heating and air conditioning costs will be affected by your energy rating.
Water€50Including water, sewage, garbage collection, and community landscaping provided by Tavira Verde.
Cell PhoneIncluded in internet bill.
Internet€65MEO brand bundle includes service for two cell phones, plus basic HG cable TV with music channels, Portuguese, English, French, and German programming, and high-speed, fibre-optic Wi-Fi.
Cable TVIncluded in internet fee.
Household Help€40For two-hour visits, every other week. The standard rate is €7 per hour.
Entertainment€434Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: €60 to €70.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: €20 (€8 to €10 for a bottle of wine; €3 for a beer).
Movie theater trip twice a month: €36 (€6.50 each for seniors, plus snacks).
Groceries€160
Gym Membership€70Rolling membership at Hitio Gym or pilates classes twice a week.
Medical Appointment€30Cost for private GP and medical specialist visit at Taviclinica. Dental check-up/cleaning at Ecodenta is €60.
National Health System charges tax only on visits (€4) and basic tests (upwards from €10). However, no dental or specialist services are available at the local health center.
TOTAL€1,529 to €1,631

Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
Rent€350Cheapest part of town; basic one-bedroom rental.
Public Transportation€60
Gas€10Only using a water heater.
Electricity€70Including electric heating but not air conditioning, clothes dryer, or dishwasher use.
Water€30Including washing machine use.
Cell Phone
Internet€42Most basic internet package bundled with cable TV and cell phone.
Cable TV
Entertainment€175Including eating out for lunch twice a week (€20) and for dinner twice a week (€40).
Groceries€160All local-brand items only, shopping at markets and grocery stores.
TOTAL€897

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