Many expats are hearing a new line from the rental market: “We only accept tenants with Portuguese income, and you must have a Portuguese guarantor.”

 

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 refuse any alternative “because policy”, that’s a red flag.

3) Keep it factual, not emotional.
Don’t argue ideology. Keep it transactional: solvency, documents, guarantees, timelines.

4) If it’s a pattern, consider reporting it.
Portugal has an anti-discrimination legal framework that can apply to access to housing. If you have written proof of blanket exclusion, you may consider a complaint to the relevant equality/discrimination body (CICDR) and/or seek legal advice.

The mindset shift

Don’t accept “policy” as a magic word.
A professional market should assess risk, not origin.

If you’re an expat looking for a rental: build a strong file, propose solid guarantees, and insist on transparency — politely, but firmly.

(If you want, send me the exact wording you received — remove personal data — and I’ll help you draft a short, high-impact reply.)