Affordable housing and housing rights in Portugal

Habitação acessível e direitos à habitação em Portugal

Affordable housing in Portugal

The Portuguese government has created a few schemes for affordable housing, particularly in the rental market. For instance, the Programa de Arrendamento Acessível (PAA) encourages owners to rent their property affordably in exchange for tax exemptions. On the other end of the scale, tenants can find a home compatible with their earnings. Students can also claim social housing, even if they don’t have personal income, as long as they can assign a person to cover their rent.

Social housing in Portugal

Portugal provides social housing (habitação social) for long-time residents. These initiatives are open to individuals and families who are living in poor conditions or have low incomes, as well as young students who need support to pay their rent.

The Instituto da Habilitação e da Reabilitação Urbana (IHRU) is the public entity responsible for managing social housing in Portugal. Anyone can apply for rental aid (arrendamento apoiado) as long as they have permanent residence. The process can be done online through the Portal da Habitação. Naturally, the approval time will vary depending on the properties that are available in your chosen council.

Finding a place to rent in Portugal There are several places where you can find properties to rent in Portugal. Below, you can find a few options.
Online portals Using an online portal is one of the easiest ways to find a home in Portugal. These feature a variety of properties and allow you to sort them by price range, number of rooms, and location. They also help give you an overview of the market.	Airbnb (for short-term accommodation) Flatio HousingAnywhere Spotahome https://www.idealista.pt/ Real estate websites such as Engel & Völkers, Remax, and ERA
Property agents	Going through a real estate agent can be helpful, especially if you’re not familiar with the areas yet. Many agents speak English and will gladly guide you through the process. Popular agencies in Portugal include Engel & Völkers, Remax, and ERA.

Finding a place to rent in Portugal

There are several places where you can find properties to rent in Portugal.

Below, you can find a few options.

Online portals

Using an online portal is one of the easiest ways to find a home in Portugal. These feature a variety of properties and allow you to sort them by price range, number of rooms, and location. They also help give you an overview of the market.

Real estate websites such as Engel & Völkers, Remax, and ERA

Property agents

Going through a real estate agent can be helpful, especially if you’re not familiar with the areas yet. Many agents speak English and will gladly guide you through the process. Popular agencies in Portugal include Engel & Völkers, Remax, and ERA.

Help with costs

Portugal provides several types of benefits to help cover rental costs. Renters between 18 and 35 can apply for the Porta-65 Jovem program. There are also subsidies for pensioners and the unemployed. For the latter, you have to sign up at your local employment center (centro de emprego) before requesting the benefit.

Tenant rights and obligations
In Portugal, a rental contract gets automatically renewed unless one of the parties ends it. Tenants need to give at least two months’ notice before leaving a property. Generally, you are allowed to alter fixtures, but you should check your contract or run it by the owner. If the landlord finds any damage to the property, they can keep your deposit at the end. Usually, you are not allowed to sublet (subarrendar) your space unless it is in the contract. As such, you should always ask your landlord for permission. Furthermore, according to Decree-Law no. 47344 article 1062 (in Portuguese), you cannot charge the sub-tenant more than 20% of the amount stated in the original contract. If you’re planning on moving out before your lease ends, check your notice clause. Typically, you need to notify your landlord in writing at least two months before leaving. The landlord may arrange an inspection to confirm that everything is in order. If you paid a deposit at the start, they should return the total value to you unless there are damages to the property. Should you need help with the move, check online platforms such as TaskRabbit for people who can help you put furniture together, move boxes, and even clean your home.

Tenant rights and obligations

In Portugal, a rental contract gets automatically renewed unless one of the parties ends it. Tenants need to give at least two months’ notice before leaving a property. Generally, you are allowed to alter fixtures, but you should check your contract or run it by the owner. If the landlord finds any damage to the property, they can keep your deposit at the end.

Usually, you are not allowed to sublet (subarrendar) your space unless it is in the contract. As such, you should always ask your landlord for permission. Furthermore, according to Decree-Law no. 47344 article 1062 (in Portuguese), you cannot charge the sub-tenant more than 20% of the amount stated in the original contract. If you’re planning on moving out before your lease ends, check your notice clause. Typically, you need to notify your landlord in writing at least two months before leaving. The landlord may arrange an inspection to confirm that everything is in order. If you paid a deposit at the start, they should return the total value to you unless there are damages to the property. Should you need help with the move, check online platforms such as TaskRabbit for people who can help you put furniture together, move boxes, and even clean your home.

Landlord rights and obligations
As a landlord, you must give at least two months’ notice before terminating a contract. In some cases, you may need to provide a reason. For example, if you need to live in the property or if it requires renovations. If your tenant hasn’t paid the rent for at least three months, you should send them a notification. If that doesn’t work, you can proceed with an eviction process (procedimento especial de despejo) through the Balcão Nacional do Arrendamento.

Landlord rights and obligations

As a landlord, you must give at least two months’ notice before terminating a contract. In some cases, you may need to provide a reason. For example, if you need to live in the property or if it requires renovations.

If your tenant hasn’t paid the rent for at least three months, you should send them a notification. If that doesn’t work, you can proceed with an eviction process (procedimento especial de despejo) through the Balcão Nacional do Arrendamento.

Where to go in the event of a dispute
The Associação dos Inquilinos e Condóminos do Norte de Portugal offers guidance related to renting in Portugal. In Lisbon, the Centro de Apoio do Novo Regime de Arrendamento Urbano (NRAU) also supports tenants and landlords. Law no. 13/2019 includes a list of measures to help fix a dispute between tenants and landlords and protect those in fragile situations. You should consult this document to see how to proceed or contact a lawyer to help you. If you can’t afford one, you can request legal aid support through Social Security.

Where to go in the event of a dispute

The Associação dos Inquilinos e Condóminos do Norte de Portugal offers guidance related to renting in Portugal. In Lisbon, the Centro de Apoio do Novo Regime de Arrendamento Urbano (NRAU) also supports tenants and landlords.

Law no. 13/2019 includes a list of measures to help fix a dispute between tenants and landlords and protect those in fragile situations. You should consult this document to see how to proceed or contact a lawyer to help you. If you can’t afford one, you can request legal aid support through Social Security.

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