Foreign investment

Foreign demand in Portugal’s property market remains highly regional.

Portugal has been on the radar of property investors, particularly Americans, for some time now. And that trend is likely to continue in the coming years, predicts Kendall Bonner, a US real estate brokerage specialist and author of the book The Motivated Mover Method, speaking to idealista/news. “Portugal is still a well-kept secret,” she says.

idealista/data reveals a detailed snapshot of international demand for homes for sale across 20 major Portuguese cities in May 2026, building on the results of the 2026 report on foreign demand for property for sale in Portugal.The figures set out, for each city, the top three foreign nationalities

Portugal’s housing market is going through a period of adjustment.

In this Q&A guide prepared for idealista/news, tax lawyers André Areias and Beatriz Vale Rêgo of Cuatrecasas explain what changes with the housing package, who can benefit from the new rules and the main tax points to consider in real estate transactions.

It's true that house sales in Portugal to non-residents have been falling for three years. But it's also true that our country continues to be considered a haven for living and investing, especially in times of global uncertainty, such as those we are experiencing now due to the conflict in the Middle East. Perhaps that's why the demand for houses for sale from abroad remains quite strong in major Portuguese cities. And it is mostly the USA and the UK that lead the international demand, as shown by the most recent data from idealista, publisher of this newsletter.

The latest Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars in London drew a sizeable crowd of prospective movers on 26th March 2026.Held by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, the event is billed as the country’s longest‑established show dedicated specifically to moving to Portugal and investing ther

US demand for premium property in Portugal remains firmly established. Lisbon, Faro and Porto continue to top the list of preferred locations, according to idealista.

If you’re planning to retire to Portugal in 2026, you’re far from the only one eyeing up a sunnier life.

International investors are turning their attention to Porto, where economic growth and tourism are driving demand across office, retail, logistics and residential property markets.

Portugal is rapidly becoming a hotspot for US citizens seeking a new home, a holiday property, or a smart investment.

Portugal has become one of the most popular destinations for international property buyers. With its stunning coastline, vibrant cities, and attractive lifestyle, investing in Portuguese real estate offers both a high quality of life and promising financial returns.

Portugal’s luxury real estate market continues to shine as a top choice for international buyers, with demand surging from North America, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

Portugal continues to attract strong interest from property buyers in the United Kingdom and the United States. Even after the end of the golden visa programme and tighter rules for non-habitual residents, both countries remain key sources of international buyers.

Interest from international buyers in Portuguese property remains strong, despite the end of the golden visa programme, tighter rules for non-habitual residents, and changes to the foreigners’ law.

The Algarve’s western coast is proving to be a hotspot for international property buyers, with Salema Beach Village seeing a surge in sales in early 2025.

High-end residential real estate continues to attract investors and/or buyers in Portugal, even though supply, similar to what is seen in the sector as a whole, remains below demand. This is a market (high-end) that can be divided into three segments: Affluent, Premium, and Luxury.