As the legislative election approaches on 18 May 2025, public interest in Portugal’s political leaders is intensifying. Beyond campaign pledges and political strategies, there’s growing curiosity about more personal aspects—such as where these leaders choose to live—especially given that housing is one of the key issues on the electoral agenda.
A politician’s choice of residence can say a lot about their lifestyle and priorities. From Lisbon’s central neighbourhoods to its suburban outskirts—where exactly do Portugal’s party leaders call home?
Luís Montenegro - Democratic Alliance (AD)
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves, leader of the Democratic Alliance (AD), currently resides at the Palácio de São Bento. In an episode of Guilherme Gerinhas’s podcast Bom Partido, the Prime Minister admitted that, while he feels at home there, he would rather not live in the official residence. “The palace only has a small residential area—just one bedroom. It’s actually less than a one-bedroom flat, since it doesn’t have a kitchen. There’s only a bedroom and a bathroom.” He then added, jokingly: “And next door is the first office for the advisers!”
Despite his official residence in Lisbon, Montenegro maintains strong ties to the city of Espinho, where he built a luxury villa that serves as his family’s main home. The property stands out for its value—estimated at €574,000—and features such as a lift and eight bathrooms, reflecting a comfortable and sophisticated lifestyle. In addition to this villa, Montenegro owns a considerable property portfolio, including three urban properties in Bragança, one in Resende, and 49 rural plots spread across Bragança and Resende.
Espinho’s property market has seen significant appreciation in recent years, following the trend of other popular coastal areas. At present, the average price per square metre is around €2,545, though this can vary greatly depending on proximity to the beach and specific property features. Renting or buying in Espinho has become increasingly challenging for many locals—mirroring the housing situation in many parts of Portugal.
On a personal level, Luís Montenegro is married to Carla Neto Montenegro, a senior education officer at a Private Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS) in Espinho, focused on working with vulnerable communities. The couple have two sons: 23-year-old Hugo Montenegro, who is active in sports including football, roller hockey, and padel; and 19-year-old Diogo Montenegro.
Pedro Nuno Santos - Socialist Party (PS)
Pedro Nuno de Oliveira Santos, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), currently lives in Telheiras. According to Sábado magazine, the home cost €740,000, financed in part with a €450,000 mortgage from Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD), while €290,000 came from his partner’s personal funds. In addition to the four-bedroom flat in Telheiras, he also purchased a property in Montemor-o-Novo, in the Alentejo region, in 2022 for €570,000, funded with a mortgage of €455,950. The remaining €114,050 came from the couple’s own savings, also reported by Sábado.
Lisbon’s property market has seen sharp growth in recent years, reflecting rising demand for housing in the capital. In Lumiar—one of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods—buying or renting a home has become increasingly difficult. According to idealista, the average price per square metre is currently around €4,642, with a continuing upward trend. Rental prices hover at approximately €16.30/m².
Originally from São João da Madeira, Pedro Nuno Santos is the son of Maria Augusta Leite de Oliveira Santos and Américo Augusto dos Santos, an entrepreneur in the footwear and industrial equipment sector. He is in a civil partnership with Ana Catarina Gamboa, a chief of staff in the government, and the couple have one son, Sebastião.
Mariana Mortágua - Left Bloc (BE)
Mariana Mortágua, leader of the Left Bloc (BE), currently lives in Lisbon, specifically in the parish of Arroios. This central area of the Portuguese capital is known for its cultural diversity, urban vibrancy, and its youthful, cosmopolitan community.
The property market in Arroios, like much of Lisbon, is characterised by high prices, reflecting the area's central location and quality of life. At present, the average price per square metre in this parish is around €5,180. As a result, buying or renting in Arroios has become increasingly difficult for most residents—a reality not lost on politicians like Mortágua, whose political agenda often highlights issues such as housing affordability and gentrification.
Originally from Alvito, in the Alentejo, Mariana Mortágua is the daughter of Camilo Mortágua, a well-known anti-Salazar activist. She is the twin sister of Joana Mortágua, who is also a member of parliament for the Left Bloc. In 2024, Mariana married Joana Filipa Mourisca e Pires Teixeira, 33, a project manager at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
André Ventura - CHEGA (CH)
André Claro Amaral Ventura, leader of the Chega party and Member of Parliament, was born on 15 January 1983 in Algueirão – Mem Martins, Sintra, and is registered to vote in the Parque das Nações area of Lisbon. According to SIC Notícias, Ventura lives in a flat of approximately 70 square metres, located within a private condominium. The property, purchased in 2009 for around €201,000, is owned by his wife and was acquired before the couple married.
Lisbon stands out as one of Europe’s most attractive capitals to live in, known for its many advantages, including strong public transport links and excellent accessibility. The city’s property market has seen significant growth in recent years. Buying or renting a home in this part of Lisbon can be highly competitive, with prices varying depending on location and features. In Parque das Nações, the average price per square metre is around €5,975 and continues to rise, according to data from idealista. Rental prices are currently around €18.40/m².
Ventura is a trained jurist, holding a PhD in Law. In 2013, he completed his doctoral thesis in Public Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Cork, Ireland. Between 2014 and 2020, he gained public visibility as a football pundit on CMTV, representing the perspective of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. From 2013 to 2019, he also lectured at the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa before entering politics. In 2016, he married Dina Sofia Marques Nunes Ventura, a paediatric physiotherapist at a hospital in Lisbon.
Rui Tavares - Livre
Rui Miguel Marcelino Tavares Pereira, leader of the Livre party, has always lived in Graça. He bought a three-bedroom flat there in 1988, which he is still paying off. According to CNN Portugal, he does not own any other property. However, he is often seen in Arroios, where he lives with his partner and their children in her home—also a three-bedroom flat.
Graça is part of the parish of São Vicente in Lisbon, where the property market has experienced significant appreciation in recent years. At present, the average price per square metre in this area is around €5,274, making it one of the most expensive parts of the city. Renting or buying a home in Graça has become increasingly difficult for most residents, reflecting broader housing challenges in the capital.
Rui Rocha - Liberal Initiative (IL)
Rui Rocha, president of Liberal Initiative since January 2023, lives in Braga, a city he has called home since 1978. Born on 13 March 1970 in Lobito, Angola, Rocha holds a law degree from the Portuguese Catholic University and worked as a lawyer and human resources director before entering politics. He is married to Adélia Garcia da Rocha and has two children.
Braga’s property market has seen notable growth in recent years. In 2025, the average price per square metre in the city is around €1,716. Buying or renting a home in Braga remains an attractive option, particularly when compared with the far higher prices found in Lisbon or Porto.
Paulo Raimundo - Partido Comunista Português (PCP)
Paulo Raimundo, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Communist Party since November 2022, currently lives in Quinta da Fonte da Prata, in the municipality of Moita, Setúbal district. In a recent interview with Júlia Pinheiro, he revealed that he purchased a 96-square-metre home in the area for €80,000, expressing his appreciation for the neighbourhood.
The property market in Moita remains more affordable compared to other parts of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. At present, the average price per square metre is around €2,028, making buying or renting in this area a viable option for families and individuals seeking more moderately priced housing.
Inês Sousa Real - People, Animals, Nature Party (PAN)
Inês Sousa Real, spokesperson for the People, Animals, Nature Party (PAN), lives in Telheiras, Lisbon, in a two-bedroom flat, according to CNN. In addition to this property, she owns a holiday home in Vila Nova de Santo André, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém.
On a personal note, Inês Sousa Real is a trained jurist, holding a master's degree in Animal Law and Society from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Before entering politics, she worked as a legal adviser at the Municipality of Sintra and served as the Municipal Ombudsperson for Animals in Lisbon.
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