In Portugal, there is a shortage of houses for rent in the residential market. As a result of high demand, properties across Portugal are only on the market for a short time. To be precise, about 30% of the houses rented in February via idealista were on the Portuguese market less than a week. 22% took between two weeks and a month, 21% between a month and three months, 10% between three months and a year and 17% more than a year, according to the study published by idealista. So, how long does it take to rent a house in Portugal? We have the details.
Analysing "express home rentals" by district capitals, in other words, homes that have been rented out in less than a week, it's in Leiria (49%) where we find the greatest percentage of properties rented quickly. Next in the ranking is Aveiro (46%), Porto (42%), Santarém (41%), Funchal (39%), Coimbra (33%), Braga (32%) and Setúbal (31%). Faro follows the national average, where 30% of homes were rented out in less than seven days.
And where do properties take longer to rent in Portugal compared to the national average? The study shows that in Castelo Branco and Viana do Castelo the percentage of houses rented in less than one week is inferior to the national reality, but still reached 19% of the cases in both cities. Lisbon (22%) and Viseu (29%) are other cities where fewer properties are rented in less than a week.
Renting your house quickly in Portuguese districts and islands
In relation to Portuguese districts, the market behaves differently. It was in the districts of Porto and Santarém (43% in both) where more houses were rented in less than a week during the month of February 2022. This is followed by Aveiro (41%), Madeira Island (38%), Évora (36%), Vila Real (36%), Coimbra, Braga and Leiria (31% in the three districts) and Viseu (30%).
On the contrary, it is in the district of Faro (23%) where this percentage is lower, followed by Setúbal (24%), Lisbon (25%), Castelo Branco and Viana do Castelo (27% in both districts).
Moderate rents up to €2,300 cover more than 80% of homes in Portugal
The Portuguese government, led by Luís Montenegro, has introduced a new category called “moderate rent”. This has attracted a lot of attention because landlords who rent homes for between €400 and €2,300 per month can get tax benefits, such as a lower income tax (IRS) rate — reduced from 25% to 10%.
Where is the highest demand for rental homes in Portugal? Lisbon and Porto outside the top 50
Living near major urban centres, where rents are more affordable, continues to be the main focus of rental searches in Portugal. Evidence of this is that the municipalities surrounding Lisbon (such as Barreiro, Vila Franca de Xira and Amadora) remain at the top of the list of the 50 most sought-after municipalities for renting homes in the second quarter of 2025. Lisbon and Porto themselves do not appear in this ranking, as demand pressure is more evenly spread across the available rental proper
The 25 cheapest municipalities to rent a home in Portugal in 2025
A quick look at the rental map of Portugal reveals clear differences in prices across the country in the second quarter of 2025. The cost of renting a home ranges from a high of €22.2 per square metre (€/m²) in Lisbon to a low of €6.8/m² in Castelo Branco. Using data from idealista, Portugal’s leading property marketplace, we reveal the 25 cheapest places to rent a home in the country.
Lisbon long-term rentals: a guide to finding your ideal home in Portugal’s capital
Lisbon has become one of Europe’s most sought-after cities for long-term living. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning coastline, Portugal’s capital offers a high quality of life that attracts expats, digital nomads, and retirees alike. If you’re considering a long-term rental in Lisbon, this guide will help you navigate the market and find your perfect home.
Portugal ranks 8th for highest tourist accommodation prices in the EU
Portugal has risen from 10th to 8th place among EU countries with the highest overnight prices in 2024. It ranks 13th out of 43 countries.
Top 10 cheapest municipalities for renting a house in Portugal in 2025
There has been much discussion about the rising cost of house rentals in Portugal, with prices often seen as incompatible with family incomes. However, this reality is mainly confined to certain areas of the country, particularly in large urban centres and their outskirts. In fact, there are municipalities where rental prices can be as low as 300 euros per month. In this article, discover the 10 most affordable municipalities to rent a house in Portugal.
Rent payment protection insurance: 6 tips for choosing the best option in Portugal
The best way for landlords to protect their rental income is by taking out a good rent payment default insurance. However, before doing so, it is important to understand which essential aspects the insurance should have to be effective. In this article, we explain how landlords can choose the right rent payment protection insurance, which will help mitigate risks in renting out the property to tenants.