Updated: August 22, 2024

 

guarda-bom-cafeGuarda is one of the most picturesque cities in Portugal, surrounded by the astonishing Sera da Estrela mountains, countless river beaches, and quaint, historic villages. Boasting a high quality of life, an authentic Portuguese experience where you can truly get under the skin of the culture, and – perhaps most strikingly – the sheer beauty of this part of Portugal, Guarda has much to offer.

Should you be considering locations to relocate to in Portugal, perhaps somewhere a little off the beaten track, then Guarda could be the perfect place for you. This part of the country is one of the most affordable, allowing you to stretch your money much further.

In this article, we will delve into the cost of living in Guarda, covering everything from property prices to utilities, from eating out to groceries.

An Introduction to Guarda

The municipality and city of Guarda are situated in the center of the country, 30 minutes west of the Spanish border and 60km from Viseu. Guarda is the highest city in Portugal, standing at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, and is well known for its proximity to the stunning Sera da Estrela mountains, the highest mountain range in Continental Portugal.

Guarda has a rich history, with the city being founded in 1197. As the name suggests, Guarda was a fortress town that guarded the frontier of Portugal against the approaching Spain. During the city’s long history, Guarda was occupied by the Romans, Visigoths, and the Moors.

Should you be seeking a peaceful place to relocate to, out of the hustle and bustle of larger cities, then Guarda is the perfect spot. With good transport links to Porto, Lisbon, and Spain, and a low cost of living, plus some of the most spectacular natural landscapes out there, Guarda should certainly be on your radar.

Cost of Housing in Guarda

Rent in Lisbon - one room apartment, two bedroom apartment, student accommodationWhen it comes to finding the perfect property in Guarda, property prices in the housing market here are amongst the most affordable in the country. The average asking price for property currently stands at €683 per square meter. You will find a wide range of properties available, including modern apartments and townhouses and spacious country homes a little outside the city of Guarda itself.

Should you be looking to rent out a property, you’ll also find rents much more affordable.

  • One-bedroom apartment in the city center: €350
  • One-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €250
  • Three-bedroom apartment in the city center: €650
  • Three-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €500

To put this into perspective, rent prices in Guarda are 73 percent lower than in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, and 65 percent lower than in Porto, the country’s second-largest city.

Buying versus Renting

When deciding between buying or renting property in Guarda, Portugal, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Renting offers flexibility and the chance to explore the city and the region until you find the perfect property to settle down.

On the other hand, buying property, although a more complex process and more expensive, can be a worthwhile investment. Real estate has long been a solid investment option, and Guarda’s popularity looks to rise in the coming years as international interest in Portugal’s interior areas continues to increase.

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Grocery Expenses in Guarda

You may be pleasantly surprised by the affordability of your weekly grocery shop in Guarda, with grocery prices 13 percent lower here than in Lisbon. Below are some prices of staples in your weekly shop.

Food item

Cost

Milk (1 liter)

€0.90

Loaf of fresh white bread (500g)

€1.44

Eggs (12 regular)

€2.65

Local cheese (1 kg)

€9.17

Chicken fillets (1 kg)

€6.40

Oranges (1kg)

€1.71

 Domestic beer (0.5 liters)

€1.16

 Bottle of wine (mid-range)

€4.00

Eating Out in Guarda

food portugal alentejoEating out is very affordable in Guarda, with restaurant prices more than 17 lower than in Lisbon, 51 percent lower than in London, and 53 percent lower than in Washington, DC. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you just €9, while a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant will cost you €50.

As this region focuses on local produce, for example, with the exquisite local cheese (queijo de Serra da Estrela) and chorizo, you will eat very well, and portion sizes are usually quite big, meaning that you will certainly get your money’s worth. While international cuisine is not as widespread here as in the larger cities in the country, you will find some absolute gems.

Cost of Utilities

The cost of utilities for an 85m² apartment in Guarda, Portugal, amounts to approximately €126.25 per month. This includes essential services such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection.

GC-ICON-112Cost of internet and phone plans in Guarda

In addition to basic utilities, a monthly mobile phone plan with calls and over 10GB of data costs around €15.00, while high-speed internet with speeds of 60 Mbps or more and unlimited data is available for about €37.00 per month.

Transportation Expenses in Portugal

transport-in-bragaWhile it is possible to get around in Guarda using public transport, with there being a good network of local buses, it is probably best to have a car to get around easily and explore the stunning natural landscapes in the region. Regarding fuel prices in Guarda, Portugal, one liter of gasoline will cost you €1.67.

There is a network of five bus routes in the city and suburbs operated under Transportes Urbanos da Guarda with a bus ticket costing €1.50. A monthly pass will also work out much cheaper. There is no metro in the city, but there are taxi options, and you can even find Uber operating in the area, with extremely reasonable fares.

Healthcare Costs

healthcare-cost-of-living-portugal-vs-usaHealthcare in Portugal is generally excellent, with Numbeo’s mid-year 2024 Health Care Index ranking Portugal in 21st position, above the USA (38th), Canada (30th), Switzerland (25th), and Germany (23rd)

Portugal’s healthcare system is divided into two categories: Public healthcare and private healthcare services. The National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) is available at just a minor cost for all citizens and legal residents, with some fees for specific procedures such as visiting a family doctor, going to the emergency room, or having diagnostic tests. These fees range from €5 to €20, with diagnostic exams costing no more than €40. For adults over 65 and children under 18, access to the SNS is completely free.

The cost of private health insurance in Portugal varies based on the plan. There are different types of private health insurance plans available, so you need to choose the one that best fits your needs. On average, private insurance costs around €400 per year, but comprehensive plans can cost up to €1,000 annually. Private healthcare in Portugal is quite reasonable, particularly when compared with the USA and Western Europe.

Education Costs

IPS-CascaisPublic school education in Portugal is free and every child must attend school up to the age of 18. However, if you choose to enroll your child in a private or international school, tuition fees will apply.

For independent private schools, monthly fees typically range from €400 to €500, while international school fees average around €800 per month, though they can be higher depending on the institution.

Note that in Guarda, there are no international schools, with most international schools in the country located in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

Leisure Costs in Guarda

Portugal is a lively and dynamic country where people take full advantage of their leisure time by engaging in various sports and recreational activities. In Guarda, as you are surrounded by stunning nature in all directions, making the most of this is obviously completely free.

Below are some sports and leisure activities in Portugal, along with their average costs. Note that these are prices relate to the cost of living in Portugal on a national level, and prices in Guarda will likely be less expensive than this, as the city is one of the more affordable parts of the country.

Item

Cost (in Euros)

Fitness Club (Monthly fee for one adult)

€36.75

Cinema International Release (1 seat)

€7.50

Tennis Court (One hour in a weekend)

€13.16

Living in Guarda

If you are considering living in Guarda, you can stretch your budget much further. Almost everything, from property prices to grocery shopping very affordable, even by Portugal’s standards.

Guarda is one of the most beautiful parts of Portugal, where you will be able to live a high quality of life, with everyday access to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the country, incredible food, and an authentic Portuguese experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living in Guarda

The average cost of living in Guarda is very affordable compared to larger cities in Portugal, with prices being much less expensive than in Lisbon and Porto. This includes property and rental prices, grocery prices, and eating out. Rental prices are almost 73 percent cheaper than in Lisbon, while groceries and restaurant prices are 13 percent cheaper and 17 percent cheaper, respectively.

If you are looking to save money on rent, then Guarda is an excellent city to relocate to. Rent prices in Guarda, Portugal, are significantly lower than in other major cities and Portuguese cities, with one-bedroom apartments in the center of Guarda averaging at €350, and three-bedroom apartments averaging at €650 in the center. Prices will drop as you move out of the center. This is 73 percent lower than Lisbon and 65 percent lower than Porto.

Utilities for an 85m² apartment in Guarda, Portugal, average around €126.25 per month, covering electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection. In general, the cost of living in Guarda is much more affordable than in other parts of the country.

For those with a car in Guarda, a liter of gasoline costs €1.67. The city and suburbs are served by five bus routes operated by Transportes Urbanos da Guarda, with a bus ticket priced at €1.50.

Groceries in Guarda are very affordable, being 13 percent cheaper than in Lisbon. Regarding dining out in Guarda costs, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you just €9, while a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant will cost you €50.

Healthcare costs in Guarda, Portugal, are relatively inexpensive, especially if you utilize the public health system. Public healthcare is often free or very low-cost, with occasional co-pays for certain services or medications. Private healthcare is very affordable when compared with other Western European countries or the USA. The average cost for private health insurance in Portugal is about €400 annually.

The cost of living in Guarda is very affordable, and this extends to entertainment costs in Guarda, Portugal. A movie ticket costs around €6 to €8, while a gym membership is typically between €20 and €35 per month. Outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing are popular and often free, taking advantage of the region’s natural beauty.

Public education in Portugal is free and compulsory for children up to age 18. However, private or international schools require tuition fees. Independent private schools typically charge €400 to €500 per month, while international schools average around €800 per month, potentially higher depending on the institution. Guarda lacks international schools, which are mainly found in the major cities of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Also, factor in education expenses in Guarda, Portugal, such as books and materials.

A typical monthly income ranges from €900 to €1,500, depending on the industry and level of experience. Jobs in education, healthcare, and public administration are common, and salaries reflect the cost of living in this smaller, more affordable city. Should you be considering moving to Guarda, the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live in Portugal and work for a foreign (non-Portuguese employer).

Is Portugal expensive for Americans? When comparing the cost of living in Portugal versus the USA, living expenses in Portugal are generally much more affordable, and increasingly so in Guarda. To provide you with an example, restaurant prices are 53 percent lower than in Washington, DC, while accommodation, healthcare, and groceries are also much more affordable in Guarda than in the USA.

In Guarda, average monthly expenses for a single person typically range from €800 to €1,200. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other basic needs. For a family of four, monthly costs can range from €2,000 to €2,800.

The average asking price for property in Guarda currently stands at €683 per square meter.