Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Ireland to Portugal
Ireland and Portugal have emerged as the two most popular destinations for UK and US remote workers seeking European base with English-friendly environments. The tax gap is stark: Ireland’s combined income tax, USC, and PRSI burden reaches ~52% at the margin, while Portugal’s IFICI programme (which replaced the NHR in 2024) offers qualifying skilled workers a flat 20% rate on Portuguese-sourced income. Portugal also wins on cost of living — Lisbon is roughly 30–40% cheaper than Dublin. The trade-off is climate vs career infrastructure: Dublin has the EMEA offices of virtually every major US tech firm; Lisbon has a growing startup scene but fewer Fortune 500 jobs. The NHR ended on 31 December 2023 and has been replaced by IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Capitalão Internacional) from 2024.
Top Rate
20%/40% plus USC and PRSI
IFICI Flat Rate
20% flat for qualifying IFICI workers; standard 14.5–48%
At $100,000 income:
That is $1,167/month back in your pocket!
| Income | IE Tax | PT Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $13,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 | $30,000 |
| $75,000 | $22,500 | $15,000 | $7,500 | $75,000 |
| $100,000 | $34,000 | $20,000 | $14,000 | $140,000 |
| $150,000 | $57,000 | $30,000 | $27,000 | $270,000 |
| $250,000 | $106,000 | $50,000 | $56,000 | $560,000 |
| $500,000 | $218,000 | $100,000 | $118,000 | $1,180,000 |
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Work Remotely Between Ireland & Portugal →IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Capitalização Internacional) replaced the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) programme from 1 January 2024. Like NHR, it offers a flat 20% income tax rate on Portuguese-sourced employment and self-employment income for qualifying workers. Key differences: IFICI targets specific high-value activities (technology, scientific research, qualified industrial work, arts and culture), has stricter qualifying criteria, and applications must be made through an employer. The benefit applies for up to 10 years. Unlike NHR, passive foreign income (dividends, interest) is no longer automatically exempt under IFICI.
Without IFICI, Portugal’s income tax system applies progressive rates from 14.5% to 48%, plus 11% employee social security contributions. At €80,000 income, a standard Portuguese taxpayer pays roughly €26,000–30,000 in combined tax — comparable to Ireland’s burden at that level. IFICI at 20% flat changes the picture entirely. At €100,000, a qualifying IFICI worker pays approximately €18,000–20,000 in total tax vs Ireland’s ~€31,000–34,000. The comparison in this table uses the IFICI scenario; non-qualifying workers should expect Portugal and Ireland to be broadly similar.
Ireland is significantly stronger for employed tech workers. Dublin houses the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Salesforce, and dozens of other US tech firms. Senior engineering salaries of €100,000–€150,000 are common. Lisbon’s tech scene is growing fast — companies like Farfetch, Feedzai, and Outsystems are headquartered there — but salary levels are considerably lower, typically 30–50% below equivalent Dublin roles. Remote workers who earn their income outside Portugal can, however, enjoy Lisbon’s cost and lifestyle advantage while maintaining foreign income levels.
After the IFICI 10-year period ends, the worker becomes subject to standard Portuguese income tax rates (14.5–48%) plus social security. Many expats use the IFICI window to build savings aggressively, then reassess whether to stay in Portugal under standard rates, relocate to a lower-tax jurisdiction, or return home. Unlike NHR which was 10 years from the start, IFICI applications must be submitted before 15 March of the year following first Portuguese tax residency — missing this window forfeits the benefit entirely.