Both countries enchant with sunshine, great food, and affordable Mediterranean living — but Portugal's startup-friendly visa scene and faster internet contrast with Italy's cultural depth and regional diversity.

Overview

Category	🇵🇹 Portugal	🇮🇹 Italy
Monthly Budget	from €1,500	23 Dec 2025
Internet Speed	205 Mbps	200 Mbps
English Proficiency	Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)	Moderate in cities, low outside urban areas
Climate	Mediterranean / Atlantic	Mediterranean (south/coast), Continental (north), Alpine (mountains)
EU & Schengen	EU + Schengen	EU + Schengen
Currency	Euro (€)	Euro (€)

Cost of Living

Estimated monthly budget for a single expat (rent, food, transport, and leisure). Amounts normalised to USD for comparison.

🇵🇹 Portugalfrom €1,500 (~$1,620/mo)

🇮🇹 Italy23 Dec 2025 (~$23/mo)

Italy is approximately 99% cheaper based on estimated monthly budgets.

Internet & Connectivity

🇵🇹 Portugal

205 Mbps

🇮🇹 Italy

200 Mbps

Portugal has faster average internet at 205 Mbps.

Language & English Proficiency

🇵🇹 Portugal

Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)

Excellent

🇮🇹 Italy

Moderate in cities, low outside urban areas

Moderate

Why Expats Choose Each Country

🇵🇹 Why Expats Choose Portugal

🌞
300+ Days of Sunshine
Lisbon is one of Europe's sunniest capitals. The Algarve rivals the Mediterranean coast — warm, dry summers and mild winters year-round.
💰
Affordable Western Europe
Groceries run 39% cheaper than the US. A comfortable life in Porto costs €1,500–€2,000/month — half the price of London, Amsterdam, or Paris.
🛂
World-Class Visa Options
The D7 passive income visa (€920/mo) and D8 digital nomad visa (€3,680/mo) are among the most accessible in Europe. Both lead to permanent residency after 5 years. The new Nationality Law (promulgated May 2026) extends the citizenship timeline to 10 years for most foreign nationals (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals).

Full Portugal guide

🇮🇹 Why Expats Choose Italy

🍝
Unmatched Food & Wine Culture
Italy is the birthplace of the world's most beloved cuisine. From Neapolitan pizza and Bolognese ragù to Sicilian arancini and Piedmontese Barolo — every region is a culinary world unto itself. A full market lunch rarely costs more than €10.
🏛️
Living History & Art
Italy holds more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any country on Earth. Living in Rome, Florence, or Venice means having the Colosseum, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Grand Canal as part of your daily backdrop — not a tourist attraction you visit once.
☀️
Mediterranean Lifestyle
The Italian concept of dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing — is a feature, not a bug. Afternoon espresso at the bar, evening passeggiata, long Sunday lunches with family: Italy is the art of living well at a pace the rest of Europe envies.

Full Italy guide

Popular Expat Cities

🇵🇹 Portugal

Lisbon Porto The Algarve Madeira (Funchal) Braga Coimbra

Explore Portugal

🇮🇹 Italy

Rome Milan Bologna Florence Naples Palermo Cagliari

Explore Italy

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🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇮🇹 Italy

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Portugal vs Italy — FAQ

Is Portugal or Italy cheaper for expats?

Italy is approximately 99% cheaper. The estimated monthly budget in Portugal is from €1,500 versus 23 Dec 2025 in Italy (including rent, food, transport, and leisure).

Which country has faster internet — Portugal or Italy?

Portugal has faster average internet at 205 Mbps. Portugal averages 205 Mbps and Italy averages 200 Mbps.

Is English widely spoken in Portugal and Italy?

Portugal has stronger English proficiency (Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)). Portugal is rated "Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)" and Italy is "Moderate in cities, low outside urban areas".

Which is better for digital nomads — Portugal or Italy?

Both are popular with digital nomads. Portugal offers Lisbon, Porto, The Algarve as key expat cities, while Italy has Rome, Milan, Bologna. Consider internet speed, visa options, cost of living, and lifestyle when choosing.

Can I get a visa to live in Portugal or Italy?

Both countries have visa options for expats. Visit our Portugal visa guide and Italy visa guide for detailed requirements, processing times, and eligibility.

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🇵🇹 Explore Portugal 🇮🇹 Explore Italy All comparisons