Real Estate in Portugal

"I first lived in an apartment near the University. You can never go wrong living around a large school. People tend to be more open to help. I eventually bought a proprty and built a four bedroom home in a quiet section of the city. The land was a bit more expensive than other areas but it was well worth it. If your going to build.... please watch your contractor closely and NEVER pay for anything up front, only for work that has been done. You can get yourself into trouble that way," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Braga.

"We travelled extensively around Portugal, and although we wanted to live in the far north it was too cold in winter so we travelled further south and loved Tomar with its peaceful atmosphere, good connections, good shopping for my wife, good facilities and excellent access. We lived close by for 3 years," explained one person living in Tomar, Portugal.

"We decided to wait before jumping in and buying and watched the buying behaviours, issues other expats had, studied the market, visited houses extensively. At present we have decided not too buy due to the exchange rate issues," explained one person living in Tomar, Portugal.

"We rent a condo. Yes, most of our expat friends have done the same, although, as it turns out, our landlords are also expats who own several condos and a single family house that they live in," said one expat in Porto.

"I live in a single family four bedroom home. To be honest I don't really know of any US expats in my area. The people up north are very friendly, so most of our support circle is Portuguese," remarked one member in Braga.

"We are in a mid-rise condo building, renting a 2 bedroom apartment. We scoured all of the online sites, and fortunately took the advice of the owner of a holiday rentals site (Portugal Portfolio) to rent through her for 1 month and take that time to look around. This resulted in us finding our current home that we'd have never known about, at a better price, and ideally situated in an area of both local residents and holiday-renters, with every amenity within walking distance. We have no car--we walk to the market, beach, restaurants. We rent a car for excursions further away, as we are visiting every part of Portugal that we can, taking a trip every few weeks," explained one expat living in Cascais and Estoril, Portugal.

"Expat homes and apartments in Portugal typically have bright, white-washed interiors with a minimalist style. In coastal areas, you can find more traditional, rustic-style houses with breezy patios and terraces. Many expat homes come with modern amenities, such as central heating, air conditioning, and equipped kitchens. Common features in apartments include terraces with views of the city or the ocean and easy access to public transportation. Portugal is known for its mild climate, unique terraced gardens, and beautiful beaches, so many expats take advantage of these features and invest in homes with outdoor spaces and sprawling gardens," said one person in Portugal.

"My home loan was 200k euros and I pay around 600 euros a month. Property takes is another 1k a year and generally speaking water, electric, heating, cable tv and such round off to about 350 euros monthly. It's MUCH cheaper out here than in the US," said one expat in Braga.

"Housing cost is less than half of what we were paying in Denver, Colorado. Depending on the size of place you need and location, $700-1200/month can be average. Porto is more affordable than Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a 10 minute drive from Porto, across the river can be several hundred dollars cheaper than Porto. Neighboring smaller cities are even more affordable," remarked one member in Porto.

"The average cost of housing in Portugal is generally considered to be quite reasonable. Prices vary depending on the location, size and quality of property, but most one bedroom apartments in the city centre cost between 500 and 700 euros per month, while larger family homes can start at around 1000 euros. Rent prices are generally cheaper outside the cities, and Portugal's extensive coastline means that beachfront properties can be slightly more expensive than inland properties," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"I am renting an apartment. It was difficult at first because a number of realtors didn't show an interest in helping me. When I found the right realtor, it went fairly easily. The biggest issue was having to pay for an entire years rent due to having no family in Portugal. There is also a scarcity of rental properties that are long term rentals," remarked one member in Cascais.

"Deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Portugal depends on your personal budget, lifestyle, and goals. If you are looking for a more permanent living situation and a long-term investment, purchasing a home in Portugal could be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for short-term accommodation or want more flexibility, then renting a home may be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between buying or renting a home in Portugal should be based on your individual needs and preferences," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"When buying property in Portugal, it is important to know about the Portuguese tax system, as this will affect both the costs to purchase and the costs to maintain the property. In general, both foreign individuals and businesses will be liable to pay tax on capital gains from the sale of a property and on rental income produced from property rentals. It is also important to familiarise yourself with the local laws, particularly concerning the registration of property after purchase. Additionally, due to Portuguese laws on foreigners buying property, you may need to obtain a Portuguese tax identification number, or NIF, to make your purchase. Finally, due to the legal process involved in purchasing property in Portugal, it is strongly advised to consult a professional legal advisor to guide you through the process," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Portugal.

"Last Fall, we looked in Cascais and other costal towns near Lisbon and in the Algarve. We did purchase a property. Since then, we learned a few things that may be helpful to you. 1. There is no MLS equivalent. Different companies have different sources of properties for sale. 2. Work with more than one real estate agent at the same time. 3. Make sure your agent is licensed. 4. If looking at other than new construction, check for mold and mildew build up, insulation adequacy, Heating and a/c availability. All new construction we looked at was well built and majority had a/c. 5. It doesn't hurt to make an offer, even if the real estate agent says the owner won't sell below list. One thing you might do is purchase health insurance for your trip. Your US health insurance most likely won't cover you. Something you need to check. We ended up buying GeoBlue (tied in with Blue Cross) for our stay in Portugal," explained one person living in Portugal.

"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Portugal. Non-residents are able to purchase property in Portugal without any restrictions, and the process is relatively straightforward. The Portuguese government has made it easy for foreigners to purchase property in Portugal, and the process is similar to that of a Portuguese citizen. The only difference is that non-residents must obtain a tax identification number from the Portuguese tax authorities before they can purchase a property. Additionally, non-residents must also open a Portuguese bank account in order to complete the purchase," said one foreigner living in Portugal.

"None that I am aware of. The only unusual thing is if you want a mortgage. Most lenders require a mortgage to be paid off by age 70 (some a bit older) so it doesn't help most folks buying at retirement age. We did a cash purchase so everything went quickly from offer to closing in about 3 weeks," explained one expat living in Matosinhos, Portugal (a suburb or Porto), Portugal.

"Many rental properties in Portugal come with a range of appliances to make life more comfortable, such as a refrigerator, stove, and washing machine. The kitchen may also include a dishwasher, cooktop, and oven to make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable. Depending on the property, air conditioning and central heating may also be included. Other common appliances typically found in rental homes in Portugal include a fan, television, microwave, toaster, and coffee machine," said one foreigner living in Portugal.

"Expats can search for homes in Portugal by looking online for real estate websites that specialize in Portuguese properties. They can also contact local real estate agents who can provide information about available properties and help them find the perfect home. Additionally, expats can search for homes in Portugal by attending open houses and visiting the neighborhoods they are interested in. Finally, expats can also look for rental properties in Portugal by searching online for rental listings or contacting local rental agencies," said one expat in Portugal.