U C HOMES

  An expat friend has recently shared with me that a particular real estate agency in the north of Portugal (Minho) "... will only accept tenants with PT income now. And they have to have a PT garantor too!"... POV Let’s be clear: landlords can assess risk. They can ask for proof of income and guarantees. But blanket policies that effectively exclude foreigners/immigrants can cross into unlawful discrimination , especially when they are applied automatically and  without considering equivalent alternatives. What you should do (practical steps) 1) Ask for the rule in writing. Reply calmly: “Can you please confirm by email what your acceptance criteria are?” Written evidence matters. 2) Offer equivalent guarantees (risk-based, not passport-based). Examples that are common in Portugal: rent paid upfront (when reasonable), security deposit (caução), bank guarantee, rent insurance (seguro de renda), verified foreign income + documentation package. If they refu...

One of the biggest misunderstandings expats have about renting in Portugal is the idea of early termination . Many people believe that as long as they “give notice”, they can leave whenever they want. That is not how Portuguese tenancy law works . Here is the key rule you need to understand: 👉 Early termination is only possible after one third (1/3) of the initial contract term has elapsed. 👉 The notice period only starts counting after that point. These are two separate steps — and both are mandatory. How this works in practice 🔹 2-year contract Total term: 24 months 1/3 of the term: 8 months Legal notice period: 120 days (~4 months) ➡️ Earliest penalty-free exit: around 12 months after the contract start. This does not mean the contract is “one year”. It means the law allows a limited early-exit window under strict conditions. 🔹 1-year contract Total term: 12 months 1/3 of the term: 4 months Notice period: 120 days (~4 months) ➡️ Earliest p...

 For expats planning their move to Portugal This is a friendly—but very real—market reality check. Over the past few years, rents in Braga have risen steadily . At the same time, expectations among incoming expats have also risen. Unfortunately, budgets often haven’t . Here’s the key point many couples (especially retirees) only realise too late: 👉 Finding a good apartment above a T1 for under €1,000/month in Braga is now the exception, not the rule. For T2 and T3 units, the market median is already above €1,000 , and in well-located, well-maintained properties, often well above that. The mismatch I see every week Many retired couples: want space (T2 or T3) want central or “walkable” locations want quiet, light, comfort, sometimes parking but don’t want—or simply can’t—go above €900–€1,000 There’s nothing wrong with that budget. What is risky is entering the market without understanding how tight and fast it really is . Timing matters more than most people think O...

Where to live, what to expect & how much it costs Braga is compact, walkable and surprisingly diverse. But for newcomers, neighbourhood names can be confusing — especially when locals use references that don’t exist on Google Maps. Here’s a clear and practical guide to how expats usually describe Braga, matched with real locations, lifestyle and rental ranges. 🏛️ 1) CENTRAL CITY Best for: walkability, cafés, services, daily life without a car Includes: • Avenida Central • Praça da República / Arcada • Parts of São Vítor • São José de São Lázaro & São João do Souto Vibe: Urban, lively, convenient. Everything within walking distance — cafés, shops, gyms, schools, culture. Typical rent (long-term): • T1: €650 – €850 • T2: €900 – €1,150 🏰 2) OLD CITY (Historic Centre) Best for: charm, history, character, short walks everywhere Includes: • Sé de Braga • Rua do Souto • Largo do Paço • Arco da Porta Nova • Cividade Vibe: Stone streets, renovated buildin...

Notícia do idealista: "O s preços das casas subiram 27% desde o início do Governo de Luís Montenegro." E há quem trate isto como se fosse um indicador de “confiança”, “dinamismo” ou “boa saúde do mercado”. Eu chamo-lhe outra coisa: falhanço político com selo neoliberal. Porque quando os preços sobem 27% num país de salários baixos, precariedade estrutural e jovens eternamente adiados, isso não é crescimento — é exclusão organizada . 📈 Subir preços não é progresso. É sintoma. O discurso oficial tenta convencer-nos de que isto é “o mercado a funcionar”. Mas o mercado, quando funciona sem regras, não serve pessoas — serve capital . Incentivou-se a procura (isenções, garantias públicas, facilidades de crédito), mas não se criou oferta pública, nem se travou a especulação, nem se protegeu quem vive e trabalha cá. Resultado previsível? Mais pressão, mais inflação imobiliária, mais desigualdade. Economia básica. Ideologia avançada. 🧱 Habitação deixou de ser direito —...

Many expats assume that once they’ve signed a lease in Portugal, the rent is “fixed” for the duration of the contract. That assumption is not always correct — and 2026 may bring some surprises if tenants are not properly informed. 🔍 The key point Even though many expats already rent above the national average , Portuguese law still allows annual rent updates , unless the contract explicitly says otherwise. In 2026: The standard legal rent update is expected to be around 2–2.5% In some cases , increases may reach 8–11% , not because rents are exploding overnight , but because updates were not applied in previous years 🧾 Why some rents may rise more than expected In Portugal, rent updates are: Annual Linked to inflation Optional, but cumulative This means: If a landlord did not apply updates in 2023, 2024 or 2025 , They may legally apply all missed updates at once in 2026 ➡️ That’s how you get headlines about “11% increases”. This does not apply...

Some stories write themselves. This one nearly wrote my tax audit. A few hours ago, I discovered that my Portuguese NIF — the tax ID attached to my income, my IRS, my fiscal history — had apparently decided to go on a shopping spree in Braga without me . I wish I were joking. Let me walk you through this, because every expat in Portugal needs to understand what happened, why it matters, and how it can be avoided. 1. The First Red Flag – April, Braga,  ~ €2,800 in Appliances I walked into a local home-appliance shop in Braga (one of those honest, old-school, community shops) to buy a washing machine.  The employee looked at the screen, puzzled:  - “Your NIF is already here, but under someone else’s name.”              -  Excuse me? I had never bought anything there. They didn’t know me. They didn’t have my data. And yet, two invoices — totaling about €2,800 — had been issued under my NIF . Date? April 2025 , right...

  A clear and realistic guide for expats navigating Portugal’s newly reinforced immigration rules Portugal remains one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for retirees, investors, remote workers and families seeking a safe and welcoming place to live. But the legal framework has changed significantly in 2025 , and anyone considering relocation should understand that visa and residence procedures are now more rigorous, more document-heavy, and more carefully scrutinised than in previous years. This updated guide reflects the current legal reality under the revised Foreigners Act (Lei n.º 23/2007, as amended in 2025) and the updated Nationality Law framework. 1. What Has Changed in 2025? ✔️ Stronger verification and control Portugal has reinforced checks on: proof of income, ties to the country, background and criminal records, legitimacy of financial transfers, adequacy of accommodation. ✔️ End of “automatic approval” (deferimento tácito) Application...

  Legal Framework, Procedural Requirements, Rights & Obligations for Foreign Tenants (Prepared by Ulisses Carvalho for international residents relocating to Portugal) 1. Legal Framework Residential lease agreements in Portugal are governed by: Civil Code – Articles 1022 to 1113 NRAU – Novo Regime do Arrendamento Urbano (Urban Lease Regime) Lei n.º 6/2006 and subsequent amendments Portaria n.º 98-A/2015 (Contract registration rules) Municipal regulations regarding habitation licenses (Licença de Utilização) All lease agreements — whether involving Portuguese or foreign tenants — must comply with the same legal standards. 2. Who Can Rent Property in Portugal Foreign nationals can legally rent property in Portugal even if they: are not residents yet have no Portuguese address have no Portuguese bank account (although it is recommended) Required documents: Passport NIF (Portuguese Tax Number) Proof of income (U.S. bank statements, pensio...