The real cost of living in Portugal
Moving to another country is exciting and knowing what to expect in terms of costs of utilities and other services in that country is important.
Moving to another country, like Portugal, for work, educational or personal reasons can be a great opportunity to experience the culture and language of another country. But this does, however, come with many changes, such as the cost of living in that country, as well as what you can expect to pay for utilities. If you are interested in finding ways to save money on utilities, you can visit Opinionesja.pt, a Portuguese review site that allows you to find highly rated utility companies for the best rates possible.
Plan your Budget Carefully
Planning to emigrate comes with many things to consider, and the most important thing to consider is the cost of moving, and whether you will be able to comfortably sustain yourself and your family in a new country. Rent, food costs, transport, healthcare, and utilities are essentials you cannot do without, and knowing which utility provider can provide the best services with the lowest costs can help you save money. If you are looking for a utility company that offers great money-saving products and services, you might like Ledbox, a Portuguese electrical company. By clicking on the link, you can read reviews from previous customers who have used this company and can assist you in making a well-informed decision.
Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to settle in Western Europe, offering cheap public transport and even cheaper accommodation compared to other European countries. Their utilities, and more specifically their energy costs, are the most expensive in Europe because of the taxes and surcharges that drive up the price.
Learn the Tax Procedures in Portugal
Portugal has a Vat rate of 23%, and this can dramatically increase the cost of energy which is used for electricity, heating, cooling, and cooking use in homes in Portugal. To put it into perspective, basic energy rates can amount to EUR 101.83 per month, which might not seem like a lot, but when rent for a two-bedroomed apartment is only EUR 600 per month, you can see that the utility costs are unusually high.
Tips to save money
While there are ways to save on utility costs, such as replacing all the bulbs in your home with more energy-efficient options, as well as turning off all non-essential appliances like your geyser and lights, utilities will still account for a large part of your household costs. This should be taken into account when looking for a home or apartment, as well as the number of people in your family.
Choose the best utility services provider
Before deciding on a utility provider, make sure you are aware of all the options available to you. Get quotes from each and compare costs against each other to ensure you can get the best value for money. By looking at review sites and customer recommendations, you can make a well-informed decision on which utility company is the best in the game and which you should avoid.