For Brazilians planning to cross the Atlantic, the choice between the Portuguese capital and the "Eternal City" is no longer just a matter of aesthetic or gastronomic preference. The dilemma is, above all, mathematical.
On one side, Lisbon faces a unprecedented real estate crisisOn the one hand, the Portuguese market is fueled by mass tourism and a market geared towards high-income foreigners. On the other hand, Rome, although chaotic in its infrastructure, presents a price stability that is beginning to seduce those who previously only looked to Portugal.
The question echoing in immigrant communities is clear: Portugal for the ease of the language or Italy for the quality of life and economic strength?
Housing: Lisbon's biggest villain
If there's one factor that tips the balance today, it's the ceiling. Lisbon has become one of the most prohibitively expensive capitals in Europe in terms of local rent. A one-bedroom apartment... (T1) in the central region it rarely costs less than € 1.200 to € 1.500, a value that often exceeds the net salary of qualified young professionals.
In contrast, Rome, despite being a global metropolis, offers a more heterogeneous market. In well-connected, outlying neighborhoods, it's possible to find similar properties in the price range. € 900 to € 1.200.
Tip: If you already have Italian citizenship, Rome offers real estate financing options with more attractive rates and longer terms than the Portuguese market, which has tightened credit rules.
Supermarkets and food: is Italy still unbeatable?
In terms of food, the competition is fierce, but Italy maintains a slight advantage in terms of choice. While the basic food basket in Portugal has suffered from the accumulated inflation of recent years, Italy benefits from a very strong domestic agricultural production chain.
- Eating out: The "menu of the day" in Portugal is still one of the cheapest options in Western Europe (around €12 to €15). However, the Italian "pranzo" in family-run osterias offers a quality of ingredients that, for the same price, is difficult to replicate in Lisbon.
- Supermarket: Items such as high-quality pasta, wine, and dairy products are, proportionally, cheaper in ItalyPortugal is profiting from the price of fresh fish and olive oil, although the margin will narrow by 2025.
Wages and purchasing power
Herein lies the biggest structural difference between the two countries.
Portugal operates with a national minimum wage that, in 2025, will be around... € 870 (gross). Italy, on the other hand, is one of the few EU countries without a legally fixed national minimum wage, using sectoral collective agreements instead. In practice, a service worker in Rome rarely earns less than €1.300 net.
Real purchasing power in Italy tends to be higher. After paying basic bills. (electricity, water and internet — which in Italy can be more complex due to bureaucracy, but are competitive)In Rome, the remaining balance usually offers more leeway for leisure and savings than a Portuguese salary.
Public services and infrastructure
Daily experience reveals two cities with "first-world problems," but distinct natures:
- Shipping cost: Lisbon has an advantage with the intermodal pass of € 40, which efficiently covers the entire metropolitan area. Rome's system is often criticized for bus delays and metro maintenance, despite its vast size.
- Cheers: Portugal's National Health Service (SNS) is free, but suffers from long waiting lists. National Health System Italy's (SSN) requires the payment of small fees. (ticket) for examinations and consultations, but it is frequently cited as one of the most resilient systems in Europe.
Verdict: Which city to choose?
The final decision depends on the immigrant's stage of planning.
Choose Rome If you are seeking cultural roots and long-term opportunities, or if you already have European citizenship or are in the advanced stages of the process, the Italian job market and... cost of living The proportionally lower average salary makes the Italian capital a more financially sustainable option.
Choose Lisbon if your focus is immediate adaptationThe absence of a language barrier and the ease of legalization for Brazilians via the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). (Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries) They are still unbeatable assets for those in a hurry.
FOLLOW-US
