Key Facts: Portugal vs Cayman Islands Wages
- Portugal Minimum Wage
- €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD)
- Cayman Islands Minimum Wage
- $8.75/hr ($10.50 USD)
- Portugal Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €1,550 /mo ($1,805.05 USD)
- Data Sources
- Government of Portugal (Governo de Portugal); 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Cayman Islands Government — Department of Labour and Pensions (2026-05-04)
Portugal
Cayman Islands
Updated 2026-05-04
Minimum Wage
$8.75 /hr
$10.50 USD
The minimum wage in Portugal is 41% lower than in the Cayman Islands in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portugal | Cayman Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €5.31 $6.18 | $8.75 $10.50 |
| Minimum wage /mo | €920 $1,071.39 | $1,516.67 $1,820.08 |
| Minimum wage /yr | €12,880 $14,999.42 | $18,200 $21,840.87 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €1,550 /mo $1,805.05 | N/A/mo |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,150 /mo $1,339.23 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | €14,000 /yr $16,303.71 | N/A/yr |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Portugal is higher.
Work Week
- Portugal
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Labour Code). The first hour of overtime on a working day is paid at 125%, subsequent hours at 137.5%. Overtime on rest days and public holidays is paid at 150%. Maximum 150 hours of overtime per year (can be increased to 200 by collective agreement). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Cayman Islands
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours under the Labour Act.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Portugal earns 70% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Cayman Islands.
See this comparison from Cayman Islands's perspective: Cayman Islands vs Portugal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Portugal or Cayman Islands?
In Portugal, the minimum wage is €5.31/hr ($6.18 USD). In the Cayman Islands, it is $8.75/hr ($10.50 USD). Cayman Islands has the higher rate by 70% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Portugal may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How do work hours compare between Portugal and Cayman Islands?
Both Portugal and Cayman Islands mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.