Accommodation in Portugal

With such a wide range of housing options available, you are sure to find your ideal accommodation in Portugal. You can choose from apartment blocks, condominiums, and even rustic farmhouses. The price of accommodation in Portugal relative to the typical salary earned is generally considered to be reasonable, except in the main cities and surroundings of Lisbon and Porto.

If you don't speak Portuguese well, you should consider hiring a reputable real estate agent to assist you in finding a suitable home for your stay in the country. 

Types of accommodation in Portugal

The standard of accommodation in Portugal can vary hugely between areas and apartment complexes. Newer apartment blocks are modern and structurally sound with great finishes, while older buildings, although beautifully rustic at times, can often have problems with plumbing and electricity supply, among other things. Property in Portugal is typically quite spacious, particularly by British standards.

Although minor break-ins can occur in tourist areas, home security is not a pressing issue in Portugal. Modern apartment blocks in Portugal are usually fitted with electronic access panels, deadlocks, and shutters. For the most part, expats report that they feel safe in their homes and confident in the safety of their possessions.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Short-term rentals are typically furnished, while long-term rentals tend to be unfurnished. Still, even unfurnished properties in Portugal will typically come equipped with kitchen appliances. Before signing the agreement, it's essential that you read your rental contract thoroughly to understand what is included. 

Shipping your furniture from home to Portugal is an option, but the costs can be quite high. It will probably be more economical to simply buy furniture once you are settled. There are plenty of reputable furniture stores in Portugal's large urban centres.

Short lets

Short lets are becoming increasingly popular, especially in Portugal's tourist areas like the Algarve. Short-term rentals are a great option for new arrivals to the country who are still exploring their city's neighbourhoods and completing key administrative tasks like securing their NIF number. These rentals usually include utilities as part of the rental cost and offer a cosy homelike environment. 

Useful links

• Airbnb
• Vrbo

Finding accommodation in Portugal

If you plan on moving to Portugal, you should start researching properties before moving to the country. Since Portugal is such a popular holiday destination, there are loads of short-term rentals available, but long-term rentals can disappear from the market quickly.

You can use estate agent websites to understand the market in your chosen area or suburb. The online versions of local newspapers will also have classified sections where landlords may advertise accommodation. Expat groups on social media sites are also a great place to begin the hunt, as many expats often leave the country and may need someone to take over their lease. 

Useful links

• Casa Sapo
• HousingAnywhere
• Properties in Portugal 

Renting accommodation in Portugal

Most expats moving to Portugal will probably look to rent rather than buy, at least initially. You should note that you will need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) to rent accommodation in Portugal. EU residents can apply for their tax number by visiting their local tax office. Non-EU residents can use the services of a legal representative to apply.

Making an application

Once you have found a suitable property in Portugal, you'll need to negotiate and sign a rental contract. You will need to produce a tax return, bank statement, and proof of employment as part of the application process. Expats who may not have these documents yet can use a guarantor. 

Some landlords or agents may have contracts in English, but expats will typically need to have the document professionally translated. The rental contract will establish the legal obligations of both the tenant and the landlord and state what is and isn't included in the rental price.

Leases

Rental contracts in Portugal are fairly flexible. Most landlords or rental agents will offer a choice between fixed-term and open-ended contracts.

Fixed-term contracts are set for at least one year, but can be significantly longer. Some expats prefer open-ended contracts, as they may not be sure how long they will stay in the country or if they'll end up buying instead. Tenants will need to take careful note of the notice period of their contract.

Deposits

Landlords in Portugal will normally require two months' rent as a security deposit. They may also require up to three months' worth of rent in advance, especially when the tenant cannot provide a guarantor. 

Terminating the lease 

The amount of notice you must give when terminating a lease agreement varies depending on whether it's a fixed- or short-term lease. For contracts between one and six years, tenants must give at least 90 days' notice, while landlords are required to give 120 days' notice. Short-term leases will require 60 days' notice from both tenants and landlords. 

When moving into a property, it is best to carry out a full inventory of the fittings and fixtures and any existing damages. Upon the termination of the lease, the property will be inspected. Any damage to the property is deducted from the security deposit.

Utilities in Portugal

Short-term rentals will most likely include utility bills in the rental price, but long-term rentals rarely include utilities like water, gas, and electricity. These costs must be added to the monthly rental price when you are creating a monthly budget.

Electricity

The energy market in Portugal is decentralised, meaning you can choose your own electricity and gas providers. Still, your number of choices may sometimes be limited by location, so this is something to keep in mind when considering where in Portugal you are moving to. 

Many customers still rely on the state entity, EDP, for their electricity. Once you have selected a supplier, you can contact them online, telephonically or in person with your NIF number, proof of address and identity, as well as your Portuguese bank account details. 

Bill payments are typically debited directly from your Portuguese bank account, but you can also elect to make direct payments at a Multibanco ATM. Payments are usually made monthly, and your supplier will provide an annual statement, which may indicate that you need to make an additional payment or offer you a refund if you utilised less electricity than you were billed for. 

Gas

Piped natural gas is not commonly used in Portugal, particularly in the rural areas and island communities. Most households will use some form of bottled gas for cooking outdoors. You can easily purchase a gas canister at a petrol (gas) station, but you'll have to pay a deposit for your initial canister. 

Water

The water in Portugal is supplied by local municipalities. In Lisbon, Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo supplies the water across more than 80 municipalities. You can find out which municipality supplies your area from your landlord or real estate agent. To transfer the water account, you can simply contact your local municipality with your proof of identity, proof of address, NIF number, and Portuguese bank account details. 

If you're moving to an apartment complex, your water is likely to be included in the monthly rental fee, but it's important to verify this with your landlord and ensure it's in writing on your lease agreement. Those who do not have their water included in their monthly rental fee must pay the water bill every two months. You can make payment through direct debits or at a Multibanco ATM. 

Bins and recycling

Similarly to water, local municipalities manage waste collection and recycling efforts in Portugal's different cities and towns. The country encourages sorting waste at its source and provides multicoloured bins across its cities and towns. It is mandatory for households to separate their waste into paper, plastic, glass, and general non-recyclable household waste. 

Waste collection typically takes place weekly and is usually curbside. You can also find bins where you can drop off your recyclables and general household waste, known as ecopontos. Blue bins are for paper waste, green bins are for glass, yellow bins are plastic and metal waste. 

The grey bins are designated for general household waste. Residents must note that they must use rubbish bags for the grey bins.

You can also arrange collection for bulky household waste with your municipality at an extra cost. 

Useful links

• EDP
• Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos
• Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo
• Municipality of Lisbon and Municipality of Porto