Greece vs Portugal — Tax Comparison 2026
Greek taxes vs Portuguese taxes, at a glance. Greece: 9%–44% across 6 brackets. Portugal: 13%–48% across 9 brackets. Compare take-home pay side by side for employees and contractors.
Are taxes higher in Greece or Portugal?
For most remote workers, taxes are higher in Greece. At $100,000, an employee in Portugal takes home $56,436 versus $53,763 in Greece — a difference of $2,673 per year. For contractors, Greece comes out ahead: $63,679 versus $61,259. The winner changes with income level — see the table below.
Estimates based on 2026 rates and approximate exchange rates. Actual take-home varies by individual circumstances.
USD amounts use approximate exchange rates (EUR: 1.1477, EUR: 1.1477). Local currency figures are exact.
| Metric | Greece | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Gross (EUR/EUR) | 87.129 € | 87 129 € |
| Gross (USD) | $99,999 | $99,999 |
| Income Tax | 28.637 € | 28 372 € |
| Social Security | 9.863 € | 9584 € |
| Health Insurance | 1.786 € | 0 € |
| Net (EUR/EUR) | 46.843 € | 49 173 € |
| Net (USD) | $53,763 | $56,436+$2,673 |
| Effective Rate | 46.2% | 43.6% |
Gross (EUR/EUR)
Greece
87.129 €
Portugal
87 129 €
Gross (USD)
Greece
$99,999
Portugal
$99,999
Income Tax
Greece
28.637 €
Portugal
28 372 €
Social Security
Greece
9.863 €
Portugal
9584 €
Health Insurance
Greece
1.786 €
Portugal
0 €
Net (EUR/EUR)
Greece
46.843 €
Portugal
49 173 €
Net (USD)
Greece
$53,763
Portugal
$56,436
+$2,673Effective Rate
Greece
46.2%
Portugal
43.6%
Where identifiable, mandatory health contributions are shown separately. For other countries, health coverage is included in the Social Security amount.
Bottom Line
At $100,000/year income
Portugal gives you $2,673 more per year ($223/mo) as an employee
Greece gives you $2,420 more per year ($202/mo) as a contractor
Take-Home Pay at $60K, $100K and $150K
Net income after income tax and social contributions, converted to USD at approximate exchange rates. Effective rate in parentheses.
Employees
| Gross (USD) | Greece net | Portugal net | Who keeps more |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $36,268 (39.5%) | $38,677 (35.5%) | Portugal (+$2,409) |
| $100,000 | $53,763 (46.2%) | $56,436 (43.6%) | Portugal (+$2,673) |
| $150,000 | $80,840 (46.1%) | $77,096 (48.6%) | Greece (+$3,744) |
Contractors / Self-Employed
| Gross (USD) | Greece net | Portugal net | Who keeps more |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $40,836 (31.9%) | $40,139 (33.1%) | Greece (+$697) |
| $100,000 | $63,679 (36.3%) | $61,259 (38.7%) | Greece (+$2,420) |
| $150,000 | $91,679 (38.9%) | $90,072 (40.0%) | Greece (+$1,607) |
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How Taxes Work
Greece Tax System
Employee
- ·2026 progressive scale (Law 5246/2025) — 6 brackets: 9%, 20%, 26%, 34%, 39%, 44%.
- ·EFKA social security 11.32% (pension 6.67% + supplementary 3.25% + unemployment 1.40%), capped at €93,143/year.
- ·Health insurance (ΕΟΠΥΥ) 2.05%, same cap — shown separately.
- ·A €777 tax credit applies (not modeled — reduces final tax, not taxable income).
- ·New tax residents: Article 5C offers 50% income tax reduction for 7 years (see visa page).
Contractor
- ·Self-employed (eleftheros epangelmatias).
- ·Same 6 progressive brackets apply.
- ·EFKA contributions are fixed monthly amounts based on chosen insurance category (6 tiers, ~€251–€670/month in 2026).
- ·Calculator models the 1st (default) category at ~€251/month (€3,009/year — pension €185.09 + health €65.68, e-EFKA Circular 6/2026).
- ·Business expenses deducted from actual receipts (varies by profession — not modeled as flat rate).
- ·Article 5C 50% reduction available to qualifying new tax residents for 7 years.
Portugal Tax System
Employee
- ·IRS 2026: 9 brackets (12.5%-48%).
- ·Dedução específica €4,587.
- ·Employee SS 11% (no cap).
Contractor
- ·Simplified regime (regime simplificado).
- ·IRS on 75% of income (coeficiente 0.75, Art. 31 CIRS).
- ·SS: 21.4% on 70% of income, capped at 12×IAS/month.
- ·No dedução específica for Category B.
Full Greece Tax Calculator →
Detailed breakdown with custom income
Full Portugal Tax Calculator →
Detailed breakdown with custom income
Visa Options
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for remote workers — Greece or Portugal?
- ·It depends on your structure.
- ·Greece's fixed EFKA system makes freelancing cheap (~€3,009/year), while Portugal charges ~21.4% SS on 70% of income.
- ·For employees, Portugal has lower income tax brackets at moderate incomes but higher social security.
- ·Greece's Article 5C (50% reduction for 7 years) can make it significantly cheaper for new residents.
How do Greece and Portugal's newcomer tax regimes compare?
- ·Greece's Article 5C offers 50% income tax exemption for 7 years on employment/business income.
- ·Portugal's IFICI program (NHR successor) offers 20% flat tax on certain professions for 10 years.
- ·Greece's regime is broader (no profession restrictions) and the 50% reduction applies to all bracket levels.
- ·Portugal's is longer (10 vs 7 years) but more restrictive on eligible activities.
Do both Greece and Portugal offer digital nomad visas?
- ·Yes.
- ·Greece's DN Visa requires EUR 3,500/month (EUR 42,000/year).
- ·Portugal's D8 visa requires EUR 3,680/month.
- ·Both are EU/Schengen and provide residency pathways.
- ·Greece offers the Article 5C tax benefit; Portugal's IFICI program is separate from the visa application.
- ·Income thresholds are very similar.