Finding Housing in Portugal
The housing market in Lisbon and Porto has become increasingly competitive due to tourism, digital nomads, and foreign investment. Finding good housing requires patience and preparation.
Rental Market Overview
Lisbon:
- 1BR city center: €1,200-1,500/month
- 1BR outside center: €800-1,100/month
- Studios available from €800-1,000
- Competition is fierce; viewings are competitive
Porto:
- 1BR city center: €900-1,200/month
- 1BR outside center: €600-900/month
- Generally more available than Lisbon
Smaller Cities (Braga, Coimbra, Aveiro):
- 1BR: €500-800/month
- Better availability and easier process
Algarve:
- Variable by town; seasonal price swings
- Year-round rentals: €700-1,200/month for 1BR
Finding Accommodation
Online Platforms:
- Idealista (idealista.pt) - Most popular
- Imovirtual (imovirtual.com)
- OLX (olx.pt)
- Facebook groups (search "apartments [city] portugal")
- BQuarto for shared housing
Tips for Success:
- Act fast - good listings go within hours
- Have documents ready (passport, visa, proof of income)
- Budget for 2-3 months upfront (deposit + first month + agency fee)
- Consider short-term rental initially while you search
- Visit in person if possible before signing long-term
Lease Terms
Standard rental agreements:
- Minimum typically 1 year
- Deposit: 1-2 months rent (by law, maximum 2 months)
- Notice period: Usually 90 days
- Rent increases: Limited by law to inflation rate
Required at signing:
- Valid ID/passport
- NIF (tax number) - essential
- Proof of income or savings
- Sometimes: Portuguese guarantor (fiador)
Buying Property
For non-EU buyers:
- No restrictions on property purchase
- NIF required
- Legal representation recommended
- Property transfer tax (IMT): 0-8% depending on value
- Stamp duty: 0.8%
Note: Property purchase no longer qualifies for Golden Visa since 2023.
Short-Term Options
While searching:
- Airbnb (common but expensive in cities)
- Uniplaces (furnished monthly rentals)
- Spotahome
- Coliving spaces (popular with digital nomads)
Coliving in Lisbon:
- Outsite
- Selina
- Various independent spaces
- Costs: €700-1,500/month including utilities and workspace
Utilities Setup
Once you have housing:
- Electricity: EDP, Galp, Endesa (compare prices)
- Gas: Galp, EDP Comercial
- Water: Local municipal company
- Internet: NOS, MEO, Vodafone (€30-50/month for fiber)
Budget €100-150/month for utilities (excluding internet).
Pro Tips
- •Get your NIF (tax number) first - you can't sign a lease without it
- •Act fast on Idealista listings - good apartments go within hours
- •Consider short-term rental or coliving while you search for permanent housing
- •Look outside city centers for 30-50% savings on rent
- •Be prepared with documents: passport, visa, proof of income, NIF
Have questions about housing in Portugal?