Worth It or Skip It: Lisbon for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers in 2026.
TL;DR: Lisbon's still worth it—excellent coworking spaces, strong infrastructure, walkable neighborhoods, and a solid nomad community. But it's no longer cheap. Rent's up 30–40% since 2022. If you've got nomad spirit, Porto, the Algarve, and the Silver Coast are all accessible for week-long escapes while keeping Lisbon as your base.
I've been living in Lisbon as a digital nomad for the past 6 months. I've talked to dozens of remote workers and locals about how much the city has changed, how prices have skyrocketed, and whether Lisbon's still worth it.
Here's the truth: Lisbon delivers—but it's not the budget-friendly nomad paradise it was three years ago.
Rent's rising. Tourist saturation is real. Neighborhoods like Alfama and Bairro Alto feel overrun during high season.
But the infrastructure is solid (depending on who you ask), the food scene's strong, the weather's reliable, and the nomad community is one of the best in Europe.
If you're considering Lisbon as a base, here's what you need to know—from someone who's actually living it.
What Lisbon Gets Right for Remote Workers
Let's start with what works.
The coworking scene is excellent.
Lisbon has 50+ coworking spaces. SITIO Cowork, Second Home, Heden, Cowork Central, LACS—all excellent. Fast WiFi, good coffee, quiet focus areas, and a community of remote workers who aren't just passing through.
Memberships run €150–300/month depending on location and amenities. Most offer day passes (€15–25) if you want to test before committing.
If you prefer working from cafés, the café WiFi culture is strong. Fabrica Coffee Roasters, Dear Breakfast, Ler Devagar (in LX Factory)—all solid options with reliable internet and outlets.
The infrastructure actually works.
Public transit (metro, trams, buses) is reliable and affordable. Getting a SIM card or eSIM with unlimited data takes 10 minutes. Internet speeds in apartments are solid (100+ Mbps is standard).
Healthcare's accessible through the public system or private clinics. Pharmacies are everywhere.
The weather's ideal for year-round living.
300+ days of sunshine. Mild winters (rarely below 10°C). Summers are warm but not oppressive. You can sit outside most of the year.
If you're coming from Northern Europe or North America, the weather alone justifies Lisbon.
The neighborhoods have distinct personalities.
Alfama's historic and atmospheric. Príncipe Real is design-forward with excellent cafés and shops. Campo de Ourique feels residential and local. Cais do Sodré has nightlife and riverside walks.
You can choose a neighborhood that matches your vibe and actually feel settled—not like you're just passing through.
The food scene goes deeper than you'd expect.
Lisbon's not just about pastéis de nata and bacalhau. The city has excellent natural wine bars, chef-driven restaurants, Michelin-starred spots, and neighborhood tascas serving traditional Portuguese food.
Time Out Market is touristy but convenient. Mercado de Campo de Ourique is more local. And the restaurant scene in neighborhoods like Alcântara and Marvila is quietly excellent.
The nomad community is strong.
Lisbon has one of Europe's largest digital nomad populations. There are coworking events, networking meetups, weekend trips organized through nomad groups. It's easy to meet people if you're social.
If you're looking for community, Lisbon delivers.
Portugal's variety is accessible from your Lisbon home base.
If you've got true nomad spirit and want to explore beyond Lisbon, Portugal makes it easy. Porto's 3 hours north by train (€20–30). The Algarve's southern coast offers beaches and surf towns. The Silver Coast—a lesser-known stretch between Lisbon and Porto—has charming coastal villages, excellent seafood, and far fewer tourists.
You can keep Lisbon as your base and spend a week working remotely from any of these places. The infrastructure's solid throughout Portugal, so you're not sacrificing WiFi or workspaces for exploration.
Where Lisbon Falls Short
Now the stuff that doesn't work.
Rent's rising.
Lisbon used to be affordable. That's changing fast.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood runs €1,200–1,800/month (up from €800–1,200 in 2022). Studios in Príncipe Real or Chiado? €1,800+.
Airbnb's even worse. A furnished one-bedroom for a month? €2,000–3,000 in central neighborhoods.
Groceries are reasonable (€200–300/month). Eating out costs €40–60 for two at a decent restaurant with wine. Specialty coffee's €3–4. This is still significantly more affordable than most large American cities—but it's not the "live well for $1,500/month" destination it was a few years ago.
If you're earning in USD or EUR and budgeting carefully, it's manageable. Just don't expect the bargain prices from 2020.
Tourist saturation is real.
Alfama, Bairro Alto, Baixa—these neighborhoods feel overrun during high season (April–October). Tuk-tuks everywhere. Slow-moving groups blocking narrow streets. Restaurants catering to tourists with mediocre food.
If you live in these areas, it's exhausting. Trust me!
The solution? Live in residential neighborhoods like Campo de Ourique, Estrela, or Arroios. But even those are getting pricier as nomads and expats spread out.
The housing market is competitive.
Finding an apartment takes time. Landlords want proof of income, references, and often 2–3 months' deposit. Competition's fierce for quality places.
Facebook groups (Lisbon Apartments, Lisbon Housing, Expats in Lisbon) are your best bet. Idealista and Uniplaces work but move fast.
If you're planning to stay 3+ months, expect to spend 2–4 weeks searching.
The nomad density can feel saturated.
Lisbon's popular for a reason—but that also means every coworking space, café, and nomad event is filled with remote workers. If you're looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, Lisbon can feel overexposed.
That said, if you want a break, Porto, the Algarve, or the Silver Coast are easy escapes while keeping Lisbon as your anchor.
What to Consider Before Committing to Lisbon
If you're planning to base in Lisbon, here's what to think about:
Budget realistically. €2,500–3,500/month is a realistic range for comfortable living (rent, food, coworking, entertainment, travel). Less is possible if you're frugal, but prices are rising. That's still more affordable than San Francisco, New York, or London—but it's not Southeast Asia pricing.
Choose your neighborhood carefully. Avoid Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Baixa if you want peace. Focus on Campo de Ourique, Estrela, Arroios, or Graça.
Commit to 3+ months if possible. Short-term rentals (1–2 months) are expensive. Longer stays unlock better rates and neighborhood integration.
Consider a scouting trip first. If you're not sure Lisbon's right for you, spend 2–3 weeks testing neighborhoods, coworking spaces, and lifestyle before committing to a long-term lease. I can help plan a scouting trip—I'm a digital nomad based here myself, so I know firsthand what to look for, which neighborhoods work for different lifestyles, and how to set yourself up for success.
Use Lisbon as your home base, but explore. Portugal's compact. You can work a week in Porto, spend time in the Algarve, or discover the Silver Coast without giving up your Lisbon apartment. It keeps things fresh and gives you variety without the hassle of constantly moving.
The Verdict: Lisbon's Still Worth It
Lisbon's not the budget nomad hub it was in 2020. Prices are up. Tourist saturation is real. The housing market's competitive.
But the infrastructure's excellent. The coworking scene is strong. The weather's ideal. The food's great. And the nomad community is one of the best in Europe.
If your budget allows €2,500–3,500/month and you're strategic about neighborhood choice, Lisbon delivers. And if you've got nomad spirit, the rest of Portugal's accessible for week-long working escapes while you keep Lisbon as your anchor.
As someone living this lifestyle here, I can tell you: Lisbon's worth it—you just need to go in with realistic expectations about cost and know how to navigate the city like a local, not a tourist.
Considering Lisbon as your digital nomad base? Want help planning a scouting trip or need firsthand advice on neighborhoods and logistics?
Fill out the form below and let’s chat. I'm based here myself and can show you what it's really like.