Spending a month in Madeira: costs, areas and remote work
What it is like to stay a month or more in Madeira: where to live, what rent and daily life cost, internet and coworking, healthcare and the practical paperwork.
Madeira has become a favourite place for remote workers and long winter stays. The climate is mild, the island is safe, internet is fast, and you are four hours or less from most of Europe.
Where to stay for a month
- Funchal: everything within walking distance, plenty of cafés and coworking spaces, good buses. The best choice without a car.
- Ponta do Sol and Calheta: the sunniest part of the island, a strong remote-work community, sea views and quiet evenings. A car helps.
- Caniço and Santa Cruz: close to the airport, quieter than Funchal, good for families.
- The north coast: dramatic and green, cheaper, but wetter and more isolated.
See where to stay in Madeira for the areas in detail.
What it costs
- Rent: a furnished one-bedroom apartment for a month varies a lot by season. Winter is the most competitive time for monthly stays, because many remote workers come for the mild climate. Book ahead and ask hosts directly about monthly rates.
- Groceries: similar to mainland Portugal, cheaper than northern Europe. Local fruit and vegetables at markets are good value.
- Eating out: a lunch menu of the day costs around €10 to €15. See trip costs.
- Transport: buses are cheap with a rechargeable card; a car hired by the month is much cheaper per day than a short rental.
Internet and work
Fibre broadband is common in apartments, and mobile data covers almost all of the island, apart from deep valleys. Ask your host for a speed test before you book. There are coworking spaces in Funchal and Ponta do Sol. See mobile internet in Madeira.
Healthcare
EU visitors can use the European Health Insurance Card in public health centres and the hospital. Others need travel or health insurance. Pharmacies are everywhere and pharmacists give good advice. See healthcare for visitors.
Paperwork
Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can stay up to three months without registering. Others should check Schengen rules for their nationality; staying longer or working for a Portuguese company needs the right visa or residence permit. Rules change, so check official Portuguese government sources before you plan a long stay.
Making the most of it
- Do the big walks on weekdays, when trails are quieter.
- Learn a few words of Portuguese. Bom dia, obrigado or obrigada, and por favor go a long way.
- Join local events: village festivals, concerts and markets. Our calendar lists them every week.