Property in Portugal

Buying somewhere abroad is becoming more and more popular with increasing numbers of people following their dream in purchasing a holiday home, a buy-to-let or moving lock, stock and barrel to the sun. 

Until recently buying in Portugal meant in the Algarve. However soaring house prices in the most southerly region of Portugal has seen a shift northwards to the Central Region, where property prices are still good value for money.

There is a wide range of property styles and types available for sale within the Central Portugal region - traditional rustic cottages, rural retreats, holiday villas,  new build houses, ruins for restoration and building plots.

The Central Portugal region is often referred to the 'Green Heart' of the country because of the evergreen pine and eucalyptus forests. The area is steeped in history  and there are some stunning examples of the diversity of Portuguese architecture.

The climate is much more amenable than in the UK with mild winters and warm summers. The countryside is unspoilt and the people are immensely welcoming and property is still good value for money.

So whether you are looking to relocate or wish to find the holiday home of your dreams, there is no better place than Central Portugal.

The size of houses in Portugal is usually expressed in total floor area (in metres). To give you a comparison, a small terraced house is around 50 metres square and a typical new British semi-detached house is approximately 100 metres square.

Many older properties in Portugal have been owned by the family for years and hence do not have mortgages. So it is not unusual to find a property has been for sale for more than a year, as there is no desperate rush for a sale and no need to reduce a price, though it is advisable to try and negotiate.

Portugal has some of the strictest planning laws in Europe and new developments tend to fit into their surroundings, keeping the charm and appeal that Portugal is known for.