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In the major cities such as Lisbon and Oporto and in tourist regions such as the
Algarve, it may be difficult to find accommodation to rent or buy, so it is more
expensive.
Because it is rare for an employer to provide accommodation, you should start
to look for somewhere to live before you go to Portugal. You can begin by
looking on the Internet: there are many sites (some in English) that provide
reasonable coverage of what is available in the main cities.
Once you are in Portugal you can also look at the classified advertisements:
- in the most widely-read national newspapers: Diário de Notícias, Jornal
de Notícias, Correio da Manhã or Público for the main cities;
- in some advertising papers, such as Jornal Ocasião;
- in the local press if you intend to live in a smaller city.
You should always check that advertisements are genuine. Ask whether you have
to pay to see the accommodation: if the answer is yes, it is better not to go.
You can also use Estate Agents (Empresas/Sociedades de Mediação
Imobiliária) or contact certain associations, such as the Associação
Portuguesa de Empresas de Mediação Imobiliária (Portuguese Estate
Agents Association) or the Associação
Lisbonense de Proprietários (Lisbon Property Owners Association),
or some banks, which also have databases of houses or flats for sale or rent.
Rental contracts usually have a minimum duration of six months. At the
beginning of the contract it is usual to pay an additional month’s rent in
advance as a deposit. This corresponds to the month’s notice the tenant must
give the landlord of his or her intention to leave.
Rents vary according to the type and location of the accommodation. The
following is an indication of the minimum and maximum reference cost of renting
somewhere to live in Lisbon:
- Studio (minimum EUR 300 / maximum EUR 600)
- T2 - 2-roomed flat (minimum EUR 550 / maximum EUR 750)
- T3 - 3-roomed flat (minimum EUR 600 / maximum EUR 1000)
The rent generally does not cover water, electricity, telephone or gas. Most
houses or flats are unfurnished, though some may have wardrobes or fitted
kitchens. It is still rare to find accommodation with central heating or air
conditioning.
In the main university cities people also rent rooms (generally furnished) to
students.
For short-term accommodation you can also see Onde dormir [Where to
stay] on the Turismo de
Portugal Official Portal or information on Youth Hostels in Portugal on
the Juventude
Portal.
Text last edited: March 2008
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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