The real estate speculation crisis in Portugal means that, currently, Finding a home in the country is one of the biggest challenges for those who arrive here. Demand is high, supply does not always keep up and prices have skyrocketed in recent years, not only in São Paulo and Porto, but also in other regions of the country.
For newly arrived Brazilians, the question is usually practical: where to start looking? Can you still rent from Brazil? And what is normal – or abusive – when signing a contract? In yet another Immigrant Guide, the DN Brazil shows you where to look for a house in Portugal – even though this is an almost Herculean task.
search sites
Today, the search almost always starts online. The most used portal in the country is Idealista, which contains thousands of rental advertisements, as we say “rent” in Portugal. It is possible to filter by city, parish – neighborhood -, price range, number of rooms – the famous T0, T1, T2 – and even draw the desired area on the map.
Another widely used website is Imovirtual, which also covers the entire national territory and allows detailed searches by type and characteristics of the property. Casa Sapo brings together advertisements from owners and real estate agencies, functioning as a showcase for the traditional market.
There are also those who search directly on OLX, where many landlords advertise without intermediation. In that case, contact is direct with the property owner, which can facilitate negotiation – but it requires extra attention.
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For those who have just arrived and need a temporary solution, platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com are often used as a bridge until they find permanent housing. Many experts recommend exactly this: book a few weeks of temporary accommodation and look for a house in Portugal, avoiding signing a long-distance contract.
In addition to the value of the rent – which, as we have already said in the DN Brazil, is getting louder – it is important to understand the owner’s demands. In Portugal, it is common for the landlord to ask for proof of income, employment contract, NIF – Tax Identification Number -, payment of a deposit – normally one or two rents (may be more in the case of immigrants) – and, often, a guarantor.
The guarantor is not mandatory by law, but it has become a recurring practice, especially in large centers. When the tenant does not have a guarantor in Portugal, some landlords require payment of several months’ rent in advance, but it is rare for them to accept rent without a guarantor in the case of immigrants.
Rent scams
With competition high and properties disappearing from portals within hours, many Brazilians end up making quick decisions – and that is precisely where scammers find space. The alert is not new for those who follow the DN Brazil. In November 2024, lawyer specializing in Foreigners and Immigration Law Helenara Avancini reported cases of “ghost houses” and false intermediaries pretending to be representatives of real estate companies.
In one of the episodes, a Brazilian still in Brazil believed he had closed a T4 in Leiria for €1,000, including bills. The ad looked legitimate, with a structured website, professional visual identity and even a corporate email signature. When checking the supposed mediator company in person, it was discovered that the property simply did not exist – someone used the name and image of a real company to carry out the scam.
The recommendation reinforced by the specialist is simple: avoid concluding contracts exclusively remotely and, whenever possible, visit the property before making any financial commitment. Even when negotiations take place on well-known platforms, a face-to-face visit remains the safest way to confirm that the apartment exists, is available and corresponds to the advertisement.
nuno.tibirica@dn.pt
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