The premium real estate market in Portugal has undergone significant transformations over the years. This is true both in terms of the profile and nationalities of those wanting to live and invest in the country, as well as the locations and their respective appeal. While the major cities continue to lead in the high-end segment, in recent years, other areas have revealed their full potential. One such area is Comporta, which has emerged as a luxury destination of choice for real estate investors, gaining momentum as the "New Hamptons" of Portugal, as explained by HomeLovers founder, Miguel Tilli.
With wild beaches, low population density, and exclusive architectural projects, this area of the Setúbal district – less than an hour and a half from Lisbon by car – attracts world-renowned personalities, becoming one of the most sought-after markets for both foreigners and nationals looking for high-quality properties in idyllic settings. This trend has led to "almost meteoric price increases," according to the expert.
"In recent years, the Comporta area has seen a series of luxury resorts with distinctive architecture, very much characteristic of the region, which has attracted major global personalities. It has recently been dubbed the 'New Hamptons'," says the head of the agency, which is strengthening its presence in the area with the “Casas do Sal” project.
According to Miguel Tilli, despite the legislative changes affecting tax benefits and golden visas, the luxury market remains attractive, with growing demand from Brazilians, Americans, and Europeans.
What are the main trends you have observed in the luxury real estate market in Portugal in recent years, and how has HomeLovers been adapting to them?
In recent years, we’ve seen very strong demand in the centre of Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto, particularly in the historic areas of these cities. These areas have always been the preferred choice for luxury home buyers. However, today the demand has extended to more peripheral areas and, in many cases, even rural regions. Through its presence in Comporta, HomeLovers has been addressing this new trend, which has spread across many regions of Alentejo, the Algarve, and the Douro.
What sets HomeLovers apart in this segment?
What differentiates HomeLovers from other competitors in this segment mainly has to do with the type of properties we have in our portfolio, as well as the fact that HomeLovers has a multidisciplinary team that supports its clients not only with purchases but also with broader projects, such as architecture and renovation works.
The luxury market in the country has been attracting an increasing number of foreign buyers. Which nationalities? And what types of properties or deals are they looking for?
It is true that foreigners are increasingly the ones paying the highest prices for homes in Portugal, making many properties almost inaccessible to national buyers.
Among the nationalities we see most often are Brazilians and Americans, with growing demand from regions affected by war, particularly from Eastern Europe and Israel. The Asian market, despite the end of the golden visa for property purchases, continues to show strong demand.
And what about the national client? What do they prefer when investing in this segment?
National clients primarily look for modern spaces – not so much in historic centres – where comfort and generous areas are decisive factors. They have been moving away from historic centres due to the difficulty of access, parking issues, and the growing presence of tourists.
What sets Portugal apart from other destinations?
Security is still a very important factor in the choices of foreign buyers. We hope this remains the case. However, the climate, the cuisine, and the friendliness with which we welcome visitors are also key factors.
You are involved in a new project in Comporta. What makes this area so special? How has it evolved in recent years? In terms of projects, prices...
The Comporta area, and specifically our project in Alcácer do Sal, stands out mainly due to its access to kilometres of almost untouched beaches, the low density of construction, and its exclusivity, which is only accessible to a few. In recent years, the Comporta area has seen the development of a number of luxury resorts with distinctive architecture, very much in keeping with the region, and this has attracted important global figures, with the area recently being dubbed the "New Hamptons."
There has been an almost meteoric rise in prices, and this factor served as the basis for the design of our project, the "Casas do Sal," which is considerably more affordable in this regard, making it possible for the middle class in Portugal, as well as many other foreign buyers, to acquire a property with an excellent quality/price ratio.
What other areas of the country would you highlight as having potential in the luxury sector? What makes them particularly attractive?
Without a doubt, the Algarve and the Douro region, along with many other coastal areas that are developing in the south of Portugal, with particular emphasis on the Melides area.
Personalisation is a key aspect of the luxury market. How do you ensure a personalised and differentiated experience for those who seek you out?
What sets us apart, and what I try to convey to our sales team, is to present clients with only what they are looking for, and to be as consistent as possible with their requests. This type of client is very well-informed and demanding, many of them owning real estate assets in various parts of the world, so it is essential to meet their expectations in order to gain their trust.
What is the role of new technologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, in the way HomeLovers presents properties and interacts with clients?
As HomeLovers is the real estate agency with the most followers on social media in Portugal, we take the digital aspect very seriously. Today, we can respond to any lead in real-time within seconds, thanks to AI, which has undoubtedly revolutionised the traditional approach to customer care.
The real estate market in Portugal has undergone several legislative changes. How do you assess the impact of these changes on the luxury segment?
Uncertainty is one of the main deterrents for any buyer/investor, particularly when it comes to issues like taxes and the granting of nationality through investment. For many years, many luxury investors combined their investments with certain tax benefits or even the acquisition of a passport to freely travel within the Schengen area, which is no longer possible.
However, despite this slowdown, especially among Asian buyers, the luxury market remains active, primarily benefiting from purchases by Brazilians and Americans.
What are HomeLovers' next steps and strategic goals for the future?
The big news for the beginning of 2025 is a co-branding partnership between HomeLovers and the prestigious real estate agency WEICHERT REALTORS, one of the largest American companies in the real estate sector, with over 450 offices across almost the entire country. This is HomeLovers' response to the growing demand for residential properties from Americans in our country.
Equally important in strategic terms is the agreement with the largest Asian real estate agency/portal, Jwai IQI, which gives HomeLovers a unique and unmatched presence in that market. At the same time, on a national level, we have recently opened new offices in Lisbon, in Belém, and in Porto, near Avenida da Boavista.
Finally, consolidating the real estate promotion aspect, we highlight the "Casas do Sal" project, already on sale, along with two other new projects: one in the historic area of Montijo and another in the heart of Lapa, featuring eight unique apartments with very attractive and competitive prices.
What advice would you give to someone looking to invest in the luxury real estate market in Portugal, especially in this time of global economic uncertainty?
First of all, given the price surge of recent years, it might be advisable to buy slightly outside the major urban centres, where there is still some margin for investments to generate significant added value.
However, it is always advisable to maintain focus on the centre of major cities like Lisbon and Porto, where investments are always secure.
Finally, purchasing land for those who want to build a custom home is always an option for those who are not in a hurry to move to our country.
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