Vietnam vs Portugal vs Dubai: Expat Budgets Compared for 2026

Torn between Vietnam, Portugal and Dubai for your move abroad? The question comes up constantly among people planning to move abroad. And for good reason: these three destinations represent radically different models, both in cost of living and in lifestyle.

This guide gives you a factual comparison, backed by numbers, to help you make an informed decision. We will compare not only monthly expenses, but also taxes, quality of life and the return on investment of your move.

Whether you want to maximize your purchasing power, optimize your taxes or simply live better for less, this comparison will give you everything you need to choose the destination that truly matches your financial and personal goals.

01Real Monthly Budget: The Unfiltered Numbers

Let's start with what you really want to know: how much will you spend each month in each of these destinations? Here is a comparison table based on a typical profile: a single person or a couple without children, working remotely, looking for Western-level comfort.

These numbers reflect a comfortable lifestyle, not a spartan one. In Vietnam, you can easily live on €1,200-1,500/month while enjoying an excellent standard of living. In Lisbon, count on at least €2,500 for equivalent comfort. In Dubai, it is hard to go below €3,500 without seriously sacrificing your quality of life.

Tip: These budgets do not include international travel. Vietnam has a major geographic advantage: you are a 2-3 hour flight from Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore or the Philippines, with tickets at €50-150. From Lisbon or Dubai, getaways to Southeast Asia cost €500-800 round trip.

02Housing: Value for Money Decoded

Housing is usually the biggest expense. Let's look at what you actually get for your money in each destination.

Vietnam (Da Nang)

For €600/month, you can rent a 70-90m² two-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony with a sea or mountain view, in a modern building with a pool and gym. Popular neighborhoods like My An, An Thuong or Phuoc My offer this standard. For €800-1,000, you get access to premium residences with concierge service.

Utilities are negligible: electricity (€30-50/month with air conditioning), water (€5-10), 100 Mbps fiber internet (€12). Furniture is usually included in the rent.

Portugal (Lisbon)

For €1,500/month in Lisbon, you get a 60-70m² one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood (Arroios, Intendente), often in an older building with no elevator. Central neighborhoods like Chiado, Principe Real or Estrela cost €2,000-2,500 for equivalent comfort.

Utilities come on top: electricity (€60-100), water (€30-40), internet (€40-50). Furniture is not always included. Construction quality varies, and poor soundproofing is a common problem.

Dubai (JLT/Marina)

In Dubai, €2,200/month gets you an 80m² apartment (2 bedrooms) in a neighborhood like Jumeirah Lake Towers or Sports City. For Dubai Marina or Downtown, count on €2,800-3,500. Buildings are modern with a pool and gym, but apartments are often smaller than advertised.

Utilities are high: electricity/air conditioning (€150-250 in summer), district cooling (€80-120), internet (€60-80). Agency fees are 5% of the annual rent, and you usually have to pay 1 year in advance with post-dated checks.

For a deeper look at the detailed budget in Vietnam, see our complete guide to a monthly budget in Da Nang with all the updated prices.

03Food & Restaurants: Where Your Stomach Rules

Food is an excellent indicator of the real cost of living. Here is what you will actually pay.

Vietnam: A Food Lover's Paradise

In Vietnam, eating becomes a daily pleasure without sinking your budget. A full street food meal (pho, banh mi, com tam) costs €1-2. A good local restaurant: €3-6. A Western or fusion restaurant: €10-15. A fine dining dinner: €25-40.

Your weekly groceries for home cooking: €30-50 for two people, fresh produce included. Imported products (French cheese, wine) are 2-3x more expensive than in France, but local products are excellent quality and very affordable.

Tip: Local markets (Hoa Khanh, Con Market) offer ultra-fresh produce at rock-bottom prices. €10 fills two bags with fruit, vegetables, meat and fish for a week.

Portugal: The European Balance

Portugal remains reasonable compared with Northern Europe, but prices have skyrocketed over the past 5 years. A meal in a traditional restaurant (tasca): €12-18. A modern or touristy restaurant: €20-30. A fine dining dinner: €50-80.

Your supermarket groceries: €80-120/week for two people. Local products (fish, vegetables, wine) remain affordable, but anything imported is expensive. The quality of fresh produce is excellent.

Dubai: Luxury at a Premium

Dubai has the highest prices. A meal at a mall food court: €10-15. A decent restaurant: €25-40. Dinner at a well-known establishment: €60-100 per person. Local Emirati restaurants are rare and not necessarily cheaper.

Your supermarket groceries (Carrefour, Spinneys): €150-200/week for two people. Everything is imported, and therefore expensive. Fruit and vegetables cost 2-3x more than in Europe. Alcohol is sold only in licensed specialty stores, at prohibitive prices (a bottle of decent wine: €15-25).

Find our detailed analysis in our guide to the cost of food in Vietnam.

04Taxes: The Factor That Changes Everything

Beyond day-to-day spending, taxes can radically change the financial equation of your move. It is often the deciding factor for entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Vietnam: Light Taxation for Non-Residents

If you stay fewer than 183 days a year in Vietnam, you are not a Vietnamese tax resident. You pay no local tax on your foreign income. For tax residents, the progressive scale goes from 5% to 35%, but the first 11 million VND (≈€400) are exempt.

VAT is 10% (5% for some services). No significant property tax. No social security contributions if you work for foreign clients. Vietnam has signed a tax treaty with France to avoid double taxation.

Tip: Many expats optimize by becoming French tax non-residents while spending 5-6 months in Vietnam, 2-3 months in France and the rest traveling. See our guide to tax non-residency to understand the rules.

Portugal: The NHR on Its Way Out

The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime allowed favorable taxation for 10 years: a 20% flat tax on certain income and an exemption on foreign income under certain conditions. But the regime was drastically restricted in 2024 and will be abolished for new applications.

Portugal's standard tax regime applies a progressive scale up to 48% + a 2.5% surcharge. VAT is 23%. Social security contributions are high (21.4% for the self-employed). Portugal remains attractive for retirees (some pensions are still exempt), but much less so for people who are working.

Dubai: Zero Tax (With Caveats)

Dubai has no personal income tax. That is its knockout argument. No tax on dividends, capital gains or inheritance. VAT is 5%, one of the lowest in the world.

In 2023, a 9% corporate tax was introduced on profits above 375,000 AED (≈€95,000), but it does not affect freelancers in a free zone. Be careful, though: living in Dubai does not automatically exempt you from taxes in France. You have to prove your Emirati tax residency (resident visa, housing, etc.) and break your French tax residency.

05Transportation & Mobility: Getting Around Day to Day

Daily mobility has a direct impact on your budget and your quality of life.

Vietnam: The Scooter Is King

The scooter is the preferred way to get around. Long-term rental: €50-80/month for a recent automatic scooter. New purchase: €1,000-1,500 (Honda Vision, Yamaha Janus). Gas: €1/liter, average consumption of 2 L/100 km. Insurance: €20-30/year.

Taxis and Grab (the Uber equivalent) are very affordable: €2-5 to cross Da Nang. There is no metro in Da Nang, but the city is compact. Car rental: €400-600/month, gas included.

Portugal: A Car Is Recommended

In Lisbon, public transportation works well (metro, bus, tram): €40/month for an unlimited pass. But to get out of the capital, a car becomes essential. Long-term rental: €300-500/month. Used purchase: €8,000-15,000 for a decent vehicle. Gas: €1.70-1.90/liter. Insurance: €400-800/year. Frequent highway tolls (€10-20 from Lisbon to Porto).

Uber/Bolt are available but more expensive than in Vietnam: €8-15 for an average ride in town.

Dubai: A Car Is Practically Mandatory

Public transportation (metro, bus) exists but covers the city poorly. An unlimited monthly pass: €55. In practice, a car is essential. Long-term rental: €400-700/month (compact SUV). Purchase: cars are cheaper than in Europe (€15,000-25,000 for a recent vehicle). Gas: €0.60/liter (very cheap). Insurance: €800-1,500/year. Paid parking in most areas (€2-5/hour downtown).

Taxis are expensive: €15-30 for an average ride. Uber/Careem (local): €10-25.

06Healthcare: Quality of Care & Real Budget

Healthcare is an essential criterion, often underestimated in comparisons.

Vietnam: Excellent Value for Money

Da Nang's international hospitals (Family Medical Practice, Vinmec) provide Western-quality care. General practitioner visit: €30-50. Specialist visit: €50-80. MRI: €150-250. Minor surgery: €500-1,500.

International health insurance costs €80-150/month for comprehensive coverage. Dental care is excellent and very affordable: cleaning €30, crown €200-300, implant €800-1,200.

Tip: Many expats choose insurance with a high deductible (€2,000-3,000) to bring the monthly premium down to €50-80, and pay out of pocket for minor care, which remains very affordable.

Portugal: Public + Private System

The public system (SNS) is open to residents but suffers from long waiting times. Private hospitals (CUF, Lusíadas) provide quality care. Private consultation: €80-120. MRI: €300-500. Private emergency room: €100-150.

Private health insurance: €100-200/month for decent coverage. Private dental care is expensive: cleaning €60-80, crown €500-800.

Dubai: Medical Excellence, Premium Prices

Dubai has ultra-modern hospitals (American Hospital, Mediclinic). Consultation: €100-150. MRI: €400-600. Emergency room: €200-300 before you are even seen by a doctor.

Health insurance is MANDATORY to get a resident visa. Count on €200-400/month for decent coverage. Employers usually provide it, but freelancers have to pay for it themselves. Dental care is often not covered: cleaning €100, crown €800-1,200.

To understand healthcare costs in Vietnam in detail, read our complete guide to healthcare costs.

07Quality of Life: Beyond the Numbers

Budget is only part of the equation. Everyday quality of life matters enormously.

Vietnam: Authenticity & an Easygoing Lifestyle

Da Nang offers an exceptional setting: 30 km of beaches, mountains 30 minutes away, a tropical climate (warm year-round), an incredible food scene and an expat community that is lively but not overwhelming. The city is modern, clean and safe. Vietnamese people are welcoming and respectful.

The downsides: the language barrier (few people speak English outside tourist areas), air pollution in the dry season, motorbikes everywhere, and sometimes complex bureaucracy. The culture shock is real but enriching.

See our guide to the pros and cons of living in Vietnam for a balanced view.

Portugal: Southern Europe & an Easy Pace

Portugal appeals with its pleasant climate, its food, its cultural closeness to France, its safety and its varied landscapes (ocean, mountains, vineyards). Lisbon is a European capital on a human scale. Portuguese is accessible to French speakers.

The downsides: overtourism in Lisbon and Porto, rapid gentrification, low local salaries (creating tension with well-off expats), heavy bureaucracy, and limited public transportation outside the big cities. The country has become heavily "expat-ified" over the past 10 years, losing some of its authenticity.

Dubai: Modernity & Artificiality

Dubai impresses with its ultra-modern infrastructure, maximum security, cleanliness, administrative efficiency, multiculturalism and giant air-conditioned malls. Everything is new, optimized and functional. The city never sleeps.

The downsides: extreme heat 6 months a year (45°C+), a completely artificial environment, a lack of authentic local culture, an exaggerated consumer society, a social life centered on malls and restaurants, difficulty forming deep connections, and "bubble" expat life. The resident visa depends on a job or a local company.

08Visas & Paperwork: How Easy It Is to Settle In

How easily you can get a long-term visa has a direct impact on your plans.

Vietnam: A Simplified Visa

Vietnam offers several options: a 90-day e-visa (simple and renewable), a 1-3 year business visa (through a sponsor), and a temporary residence card (TRC) for investors. For digital nomads, the 90-day e-visa renewed through visa runs to Thailand or Cambodia works well.

No minimum income requirement. No language test. An online process that takes 3 days. See our complete guide to the Vietnam e-visa.

Portugal: D7 Visa or Digital Nomad Visa

The D7 visa (retirees/passive income) requires a minimum income (€820/month), housing in Portugal and health insurance. Processing time: 2-6 months. The new Digital Nomad visa (2022) requires an income of at least €3,040/month. A complex bureaucratic process.

Residency gives you access to the Schengen area. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency.

Dubai: Resident Visa Through a Company

The Emirati resident visa requires a sponsor: a local employer or your own free zone company (cost: €3,000-5,000/year). A freelance visa exists (cost: €1,000-1,500/year) but with restrictions. A fast (2-4 weeks) but expensive process.

The visa gives you access to banking and healthcare services. It is renewable as long as the sponsor is active. There is no path to citizenship (except in exceptional cases).

09Social Life & Community: Building Your Network

Social integration often determines whether a move abroad succeeds.

Vietnam: A Warm Community

Da Nang has a lively French-speaking community (200-300 people), active Facebook groups and regular events (drinks, outings, coworking). The digital nomad community is international and open. It is easy to form genuine connections.

Vietnamese people are curious and kind toward foreigners. Learning a few words of Vietnamese opens a lot of doors. Social life is affordable (going out, restaurants, activities).

Portugal: A Massive Community

Lisbon has tens of thousands of French expats. It is easy to meet fellow French people, but there is a risk of staying "among the French." The digital nomad community is huge, with many coworking spaces and events.

The Portuguese are welcoming, but the language barrier can hold back deeper integration. Social life costs more than in Vietnam.

Dubai: A Business Network

Dubai is a city of constant networking. Business events almost every day, private clubs, communities by nationality. It is easy to meet people, hard to form deep friendships. High turnover (people leave after 2-3 years).

The French community is large (30,000+) but spread out. Social life revolves around restaurants and beach clubs (expensive). Few interactions with Emiratis (a minority in their own country).

10Return on Investment: Where to Get the Most From Your Move

In the end, which destination offers the best ROI for your move abroad?

Vietnam: The Most Life for the Least Money

With €1,500/month, you live very comfortably in Da Nang: a nice apartment, frequent restaurant meals, leisure, regional travel. You easily save €1,000-2,000/month compared with France. In 1 year, you put aside €12,000-24,000 while enjoying an excellent quality of life.

Ideal for: digital nomads, freelancers, entrepreneurs in the launch phase, people looking to maximize their purchasing power, Southeast Asia lovers.

Tip: Many expats use Vietnam as a base to grow their online business while living comfortably. The money they save lets them reinvest in their business or build solid savings.

Portugal: The Europe-and-Sunshine Compromise

With €2,500-3,000/month, you live decently in Lisbon. You save €500-1,000/month compared with Paris or Lyon. Portugal is a good compromise if you want to stay in Europe, stay close to France (a 2-hour flight) and enjoy a pleasant climate.

Ideal for: people attached to European culture, families with children (French schools), retirees, people who need to travel back to France often.

Dubai: Pure Tax Optimization

With €4,000-5,000/month, you live comfortably in Dubai. You do not save on cost of living (it is more expensive than France), but you save massively on taxes. If you earn €100,000 a year, the absence of income tax represents €30,000-40,000 in annual savings.

Ideal for: high-earning entrepreneurs (more than €100k a year), traders, crypto investors, people seeking maximum tax optimization, fans of luxury and modernity.

11Summary Table: Your Decision at a Glance

12FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What is the minimum budget to live comfortably in each destination?

In Vietnam (Da Nang), €1,200/month is enough for a single person to live comfortably: a modern one-bedroom apartment (€400), food (€300), transportation (€80), leisure (€250), insurance (€100). In Portugal (Lisbon), count on at least €2,000/month for equivalent comfort. In Dubai, it is hard to go below €3,000/month without significantly sacrificing your quality of life. These budgets assume sensible money management, no excessive spending, but a real quality of life (not survival mode). For a couple, add 30-40% to these amounts.

Which destination offers the best tax optimization for a freelancer earning €60k a year?

For a freelancer earning €60,000 a year, Dubai offers the maximum optimization with 0% income tax (savings of €18,000-22,000/year vs France), but the high cost of living reduces the net advantage to about €10,000-15,000/year. Vietnam allows optimization through French tax non-residency (if you meet the criteria) combined with a very low cost of living, resulting in overall savings of €15,000-20,000/year (taxes + cost of living). Portugal, without the NHR regime, no longer offers a significant tax advantage for newcomers. Our advice: Vietnam to maximize your overall purchasing power, Dubai if you earn more than €100k a year and taxes trump everything else. See our guide to starting a business abroad to structure your activity properly.

Can you easily get a long-term visa in these three countries?

Vietnam has the simplest process: a 90-day e-visa renewable online in 3 days ($25), with no proof of income required. For the long term, a 1-3 year business visa through a Vietnamese sponsor (specialized agency) costs €300-500/year. Portugal requires proof of income (at least €820/month for the D7, €3,040/month for the digital nomad visa), proof of housing and health insurance, with a process that takes 2-6 months. Dubai requires a sponsor (an employer or your own free zone company), costs €3,000-5,000/year, and the process is fast (2-4 weeks) but restrictive (annual renewal, dependence on the sponsor). In terms of pure simplicity: Vietnam > Dubai > Portugal. See our complete checklist for moving to Vietnam with every step in detail.

Which destination should a family with children choose?

For a family with children, Portugal is often the most obvious choice: accredited French schools (Lycée Français in Lisbon and Porto), a European healthcare system, cultural proximity, easy trips back to France, and a reassuring European environment. Cost: €800-1,200/month per child for private school. Vietnam also offers quality international schools in Da Nang (ABIS, IAS) for €600-900/month per child, in a safe and eye-opening environment, ideal for young or elementary-age children. The cultural experience is exceptional. Dubai has excellent international schools (British and American curricula), but they are very expensive (€1,500-2,500/month per child), in an artificial environment. Our recommendation: Portugal for security and proximity to France, Vietnam for adventure and budget, Dubai only if budget is not a constraint.

Is it possible to test a destination before committing long term?

Absolutely, and it is strongly recommended. For Vietnam, come for 1-3 months on a tourist e-visa (90 days). Rent an Airbnb apartment for the first month, then sign a regular lease. Total cost of a 1-month test: €1,500-2,000 all-in. For Portugal, same approach: 90-day Schengen visa, short-term rental, then decide. Cost of a 1-month test: €2,500-3,500. For Dubai, a 90-day tourist visa, but watch out for the high cost of short-term accommodation. Cost of a 1-month test: €4,000-5,000. It is the best investment you can make to validate your choice before committing.

13Conclusion: Your Move Abroad, Your Strategy

After this detailed analysis, you have everything you need to choose the destination that fits your financial and personal goals. Vietnam offers the best overall value for money, with substantial savings and an exceptional quality of life on a moderate budget. Portugal appeals with its cultural and geographic closeness to France, ideal for a "gentle" move abroad. Dubai makes sense for high earners seeking maximum tax optimization, at the price of a high cost of living.

There is no universal "best" destination. Your choice depends on your priorities: want to maximize your purchasing power? Choose Vietnam. Want to stay in Europe with sunshine? Portugal. Want to optimize your taxes on a high income? Dubai. What matters is aligning your destination with your financial goals, the lifestyle you want and your long-term vision.