Renting In Portugal [A Detailed 2022 Guide In English]

Renting In Portugal

If you are moving to Portugal for whatever reason, the first thing you will need once you reach there is a place to live. Accommodation is essential, and you need to figure it out before you even move to the country, and that is why you might be reading this article today. For some people, it is impossible to move to a country, so why are real estate properties right away? Many complications are involved, and you might not even be allowed to purchase a real estate property in the country if you are not on a permanent visa. That is why there are many other options for accommodation. 

The next thing that comes to mind is renting a real estate property in Portugal, and then you can maximize your stay in the country and start living comfortably for your next journey there. You need to do a lot of planning, and this process will not be straightforward. Many complications will come along the way, and you will be able to deal with them with patience and proper planning. If you want to do the correct planning, you need to have all the information about ranking houses in Portugal and how you will be able to do that right after you move to the country.

This article will discuss everything you need to know about renting a house in Portugal. It will be a detailed guide for you, and by the end of this article, you will be well-equipped with all the information and what you need to do! So, without any further wet, keep reading to find out more information below on how to rent a property or an apartment in Portugal.

Renting A House In Portugal

According to a survey it has been seen that 75% of the people who are going to move to Portugal are going to prefer to buy a house in Portugal. The rest of the 25% of the people will choose to rent a property because they don’t have enough budget to buy a home in Portugal. After the pandemic ended, the prices of real estate property in Portugal increased significantly, which is why many people prefer to live on rent now. When moving to Portugal, you can directly rent the property with the owner. 

However, if you are a foreigner, it will be straightforward for you to visit a real estate agent who will help you out. If you don’t speak for these, then a real estate agent will help you in English or the language you are familiar with. The best place for you to rent a property as a foreigner is Lisbon or Porto in Portugal. There are going to be many different options available for you. Some homes will be furnished, and others will be unfurnished properties. If you get an unfurnished property, it will still have a well-equipped kitchen with all the necessary appliances to start living there immediately with your family without any trouble.

Top Places To Rent A Property In Portugal

Portugal is a beautiful country and is very popular for its amazing beaches. The weather in this country is very sunny all year long, and it is a place you will love to call home. The lifestyle in the country’s major cities is very friendly, and you will love the atmosphere there. 

If you are moving there for work or educational purposes, then it is recommended that you move to a big city because you will love leaving them. So let’s look at the top places where you can rent a property in Portugal below.

Lisbon

Lisbon is the most famous place for renting in Portugal, and it is also known as a central hub for all the digital nomads in the world looking forward to living in Portugal in the future. It is an excellent choice for you to live on rent because it is near the beach and many other cultural attractions. 

However, if you want to move to this area, you must keep in mind that it is one of the most expensive in Portugal. The average rental price in Lisbon in 2022 is €13 square meters per year. However, if you want to rent a one-bedroom apartment, it will cost around €800 a month.

Porto

Porto is a city in Portugal famous for its vineyards and cellars. If you are more creative, you can rent a property in this area because it has a lot of heart galleries and art shops. It is a dream place for an art lover. The rent in the city is less than in Lisbon. Living here and renting an apartment will cost you around €10 per square meter. It is still costly, but you will have to pay the price if you want to live in most of Portugal!

Braga

Braga is the third largest city in the country and is known for its many charming squares. According to a study, it is the happiest city in Portugal and very affordable. If you want to rent a two-bedroom apartment in the city, it will cost you €599. However, the per square meter cost in 2022 for living in the town is €7.

The Algarve

The Algarve is a very famous place in Portugal and is known for its Golf Resorts and beaches. It is the best place to rent a property or apartment because many English-speaking foreigners live in this area. Most of the people who move to this country are either retiring or are British people who are getting a pension from their country. The climate is warm, and you will enjoy living in this city. The best part is that it is near the beaches and UK and enjoy your life in this town. If you want to rent a property in this area, it will cost around €11 per square meter. It is a popular choice because there are many holiday homes in this area, so many pensioners and older people like to move to this city.

Renting Vs Buying A Property In Portugal

If you are moving to Portugal soon as a foreigner, you need to know that trending properties will be more accessible than buying a real estate property. Less paperwork is involved, and you will not have to take a mortgage to pay the amount. And another benefit of getting a rental property in Portugal is that they are available in a furnished form. You will not have to start purchasing furniture write away once more to the country. 

You can begin living immediately, and you will not have to worry about anything. If you want to live in Portugal permanently, it is worth buying your own home. However, if you don’t want to live long-term, then venting will be the right option for you. If you buy a home in Portugal, you can also rent it out later, and then it will be an investment property for you to earn some passive income from Portugal.

Types Of Rental Properties In Portugal

If people are moving to Portugal, most will rent apartments and shadows for real estate properties because it is much cheaper. Many people cannot afford to rent an entire property, so they can compromise living with a roommate and then choose an apartment for this process. If you are in a big major city in Portugal, such as Lisbon, it will be more expensive than in any other country. 

Portugal has a warm climate, but some of the properties are not insulated properly. If you are inside, you might feel a little bit cold, so you need to make sure that you keep this thing in mind when you are hunting for a house for rental. You will have to purchase a small heater for the winter season to be as comfortable as possible when you have moved to Portugal and are living in a rental property.

How To Find A Place To Rent In Portugal?

If you are moving to Portugal anytime soon, it will be a worry in your mind about how you will find rental properties and how you will be able to live in one. However, you don’t need to worry about it because there are many places where you can find rental properties in Portugal. Let’s take a look at the places below.

Online Portals

Online options are available, and you can easily use an online portal to find the best home for rent in Portugal. There are many different types of properties available for rent, and all of them will be different in price range. It will also depend on how many rooms are in a property. And another important factor that is going to determine the price of rental properties will be the location and the city in which it is situated. The most popular website and online bottles where you can find rental homes in Portugal include the following:

  • Casa Sapo
  • Imovirtual
  • Idealista
  • Spotahome

Property Agents

The next option to find a rental property in Portugal is through a property or a real estate agent. They can accommodate you if you are unfamiliar with the country. If you have just moved to the country and cannot speak Portuguese, this is the right option because many English-speaking real estate agents are available in Portugal. 

They will be more than happy to help you in this regard. They will guide you through the entire process, and you will not have to research anything. The most popular real estate Agencies for finding rental homes in Portugal include the following:

  • Engel
  • Remax
  • ERA

Sharing Flats

If you don’t have enough budget to rent an entire property or a house in Portugal, there is nothing to worry about. If you have a low budget, you can get a flat on a sharing basis as well, and it is a trendy choice for students in Portugal who are going to the country for education purposes. If you are a young resident in Portugal and you are looking for a budget-friendly place to live new can get a room, and then you will be able to share a bathroom and kitchen with someone else. 

It will be cheaper for you, and you will not have to pay much. If you go for this option, you can get a shared flat, which will cost you around €400 per month. The most popular website for finding a flat on a sharing basis and Portugal is Bquarto.

Rental housing for students in Portugal

Suppose you are a student in Portugal; if you plan to move to Portugal for educational purposes, getting on-campus university housing is standard practice. Students use this Presidency and can also share a flat with their roommates. It is a very budget-friendly option for them, and you can apply for a University residence online when applying to a Portuguese University. 

Be very fast when applying for on-campus housing at a Portuguese university because these species can fill quickly, and you must be quick. If you want a listing for students in Portuguese Universities and on-campus housing, then the popular websites are Uniplaces and Bquarto.

What Is The Process Of Renting A Property In Portugal?

If you want to rent a property in Portugal, you will notice that the process is similar to any other European country, and you will not face any issues if you have lived in a European country. You can use two methods to rent a property in Portugal. The first method is through an Agency and the second is actual or private individuals. However, it depends purely on your choice of what option you want. Let’s take a look at both options below in detail.

Rent In Portugal Through A Property Agency

First, you have to be on a property hunt, and once you choose a house or apartment that you like, you have to find the right property agent. Once you select the property agent, you must sign the lease to rent the property. For signing a lease, you must have a tax identification number to prove your identity. If someone else is going to be living with you on the property, they need to provide their complete documentation, the bank statement, and the tax return. 

You must also provide your income proof or employment proof to complete this process. If you are a student and you are not working yet, then you can use the documents of your parent or any other guardian for your income statement. It depends upon the choice of the landlord day or night or might not ask you for a guarantee of the rent payment in case someone reaches the contract. 

Once this process is done, you have to make an advance payment, and then this advance payment process is going to continue for the next three months. After three months, you can start paying your rent at the end or start of the month. Some landlords also ask for a security deposit on top, which is why you need to be prepared for that once you move to Portugal and want to live on rent.

Renting Through A Private Individual In Portugal

If you are moving to Portugal anytime soon, you need to know that it is also possible for you to rent a house or a property through a private landlord. For this, you have to present all the documents which are required, and they’re discussed above. If your landlord does not speak English and you don’t know Portuguese, this can be an issue for you. You can always get in touch with the private translator. If you don’t want to do that, you can also go for a real estate property agent option, which will be much more helpful for foreigners who cannot speak Portuguese.

Cost Of Rent In Portugal

Before you move to Portugal, you need to know that the rent will be non-negotiable, and you will not be able to negotiate with the landlords. Keep this in mind before you move there because you have to pay the price of living. Let’s look at the estimate of the rent you have to pay in Portugal below.

Monthly Rent In Portugal

In 2021 the average rent in the country was around €800 per month. This was for a three-bedroom apartment or a property. If you want to get a three-bedroom apartment in a major City or the city center of Lisbon, it will cost you more and be at least €1200. If you want to move to any other majority of Portugal, such as Porto or Algarve, the rent will be similar. However, you can expect to pay at least 300 euros monthly if you want to live anywhere in Portugal on rent. It is essential to remember that utility bills will not be included in the rent cost and must be paid separately. 

However, some listings are available that include this, and you can always ask your landlord for further confirmation. You can pay your rent through bank transfer, but some landlords in Portugal will take only the option of cash. Discussing these before your rental agreement is better to make sure you don’t have any issues. You are given only eight days to cover your rent; after that, there will be a penalty and financial compensation of 50%, and the landlord might even tell you to move out if you pay the rent late.

Rental Deposit

Before you start living on rent in Portugal, you need to know that you must pay three months’ rent before you can usually begin to pay. It is also going to involve a security deposit that you have to make in the landlord’s bank account. If the property is in order, you can get this money back into your bank account.

Administration Fees And The Agency

There is no real estate Commission for tenants. The agents will take their charges directly to the property owner in Portugal.

Utility Cost

If you are living on rent in Portugal, you must pay your utility bills yourself. It will include all the bills such as electricity, water, gas, and internet. You cannot pay all of these utility bills to the landlord because you have to pay them to the service provider individually. An estimated cost you must pay in Portugal for all these utilities is €100 per month.

Help Programs

If you are low on budget and need some help, then some benefits are available for the individuals to help cover the rental cost. If you are between the ages of 35 and 18, you can apply for the Porta-65 Jovem Program. Some benefits are also available for those people who do not have a job or pensioners. If you are jobless, you can sign up at the local employment center and apply for this benefit.

Social Housing In Portugal

The good news for you is that social housing and rental ladies are available for foreigners and locals. However, you need to have a permanent residence for you to apply for social housing in Portugal. This benefit is available for those families who are living in poor living conditions and do not have a lot of money. If you are earning a lot less than others, you can apply for this benefit. It will depend on the bone and the financial capacity of the person involved, and then they will be given use by the authorities in Portugal.

Tenant Rights In Portugal

When you are about to get a property on rent in Portugal, you will get into a rental contract. Give at least two months’ notice before leaving the rental property. If the landlord finds out that you have done any damage to the property, they can keep your security deposit.

Rights And Obligations Of Landlords In Portugal

If a talent has not paid their rent for the last three months, the landlord will first send them a notification. If they still don’t pay the amount, then the landlord is eligible to proceed with the eviction process of the tenants.

Conclusion

Moving to a new country is not easy because many things are going on in your mind, and you need to think about them before you move. Many legalities are also involved in renting a property, and you need to keep all of that in your mind whenever you are about to live on rent in Portugal. First of all, you need to figure out where you want to live and also have some budget constraints. 

Find a rental property within your budget and in the space and area you need. If you are a student, the best thing for you is to be a student property near the city to have reasonable accommodation and apartments. However, if you are moving with your family, you can also move to the suburbs and the smaller towns in the country. This will make sure that you can enjoy the countryside living in Portugal. 

There are many other things you need to think about, such as whether you want to get a rental property that is furnished or unfurnished. It is directly going to be related to your budget as well as your taste and style. To help you with the process, we have discussed everything you need to know about renting a property or an apartment in Portugal above. Take a look at all the information you need to know, and then you will not have to worry about anything once you are in the country, and the new can easily rent a property and start living there with your family immediately. Good luck!