Access to housing in Portugal is becoming increasingly difficult as property prices continue to rise far faster than wages. There are fewer homes families can realistically afford without overstretching themselves.
Lisbon consolidates its status as the most expensive place to rent in Portugal, with three central parishes occupying the top positions. The country's rental market set a new record in October 2025, with the national median reaching €17 per m2.
The housing market in Lisbon and Porto continues to become more expensive year after year. However, municipal data conceal a very mixed picture when it comes to house prices in each area, which are evolving in markedly different ways.
Portugal’s housing market is still inching upward, and the gap between everyday prices and the most expensive places to buy property in Portugal has grown stark.
Portugal still hides pockets of real value away from the big‑ticket coasts. Across the country, there are municipalities where the average asking price is under €700 per square meter, with some edging close to €500.
Portugal continues to attract strong interest from property buyers in the United Kingdom and the United States. Even after the end of the golden visa programme and tighter rules for non-habitual residents, both countries remain key sources of international buyers.
Interest from international buyers in Portuguese property remains strong, despite the end of the golden visa programme, tighter rules for non-habitual residents, and changes to the foreigners’ law.
Avelino Oliveira, president of the Order of Architects, stresses the urgent need to boost public housing supply across Portugal.The country’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) aims to build 59,000 new homes by 2030.
Buying a house in Lisbon is more difficult than in any other city in Portugal and Spain. This is the main conclusion of the Century 21 Portugal study, which indicates that the effort rate to acquire a home in Lisbon is 67%, the highest in the Iberian Peninsula.
"Portugal's reputation as a safe country to invest in may be compromised, given the continuous legislative and fiscal instability that impacts the real estate market".
Without having managed to give an effective answer to the housing crisis, which for several reasons has been worsening in Portugal in recent years, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has now decided to present a new plan of attack, called "Mais Habitação", which literally means "more
For foreigners, Portugal continues to be a destination of choice to buy or rent a house. The mild climate, quality of life, safety and leisure activities that the country appeals to those who are choosing the country as their new home.
The global macroeconomic context has changed and the effects on the housing market in Portugal and across the world are increasingly evident. But will house prices drop in Portugal?
2022 was marked by inflation which further pushed up house prices in Portugal. In addition, building a house became more expensive and access to mortgages more difficult, since interest rates have also jumped.
How are things looking in the real estate market in Portugal for 2023? Despite the geopolitical and macroeconomic context, 2022 presented itself as a dynamic (and memorable) year for the real estate market in Portugal and beyond.
Inflation is contaminating all markets - and real estate is no exception. Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) show proof, stating that houses were 13.2% more expensive in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year.
Having a property by the beach is, increasingly, the decision of those who decide to buy a property in Portugal, both for Portuguese families and foreign investors.