City comparison
🇵🇹 Lisbon vs 🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Lisbon
50% more expensive overall
Higher quality of life
Lisbon
8.5/10 vs 8.5/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €1,200 | €1,800 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €875 | €1,400 |
| Groceries (single) | €230 | €350 |
| Transport pass | €40 | €100 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €70 | €70 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €2,000 | €3,200 |
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Safety | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Healthcare | 7.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Education | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Expat Community | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| English Proficiency | 7.5/10 | 10/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇵🇹
Lisbon
Portugal Tax regime Progressive to 48% (IFICI incentive for some)
Climate Mediterranean
Nomad visa Yes
Effective tax rate 32–40%
Avg. salary €30,000–€55,000
🇳🇱
Amsterdam
Netherlands Tax regime 36.97–49.5% (30% ruling for expats)
Climate Oceanic
Nomad visa –
Effective tax rate 30–38% (20–25% with 30% ruling)
Avg. salary €45,000–€75,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
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