Best Websites for Renting a House in Portugal: How to Find a New Home

What are the websites to rent a house in Portugal? This is one of the many concerns of those planning to move to the Portuguese country and looking for a cozy house to call home. If you have come this far, stay with me and I will explain which are the best websites, tips for searching, the average rental cost, required documents, how to rent without a guarantor, and precautions you should take to avoid scams. Shall we?

Best websites to rent a house in Portugal

There are several options for websites to rent a house in Portugal, ranging from large real estate portals to smaller platforms specialized in certain audiences. Some focus more on the luxury market and new developments, while others offer a wide variety of properties, including more popular and affordable options. Below, see the main sites and how each can help in your search for the ideal property.

Idealista

Idealista is one of the main websites for renting houses in Portugal and is also present in Spain and Italy. Covering the entire Portuguese territory and allowing free listings, you can find thousands of rental offers (as it’s called in Portugal) and property sale listings every day.

Idealista is considered the largest real estate portal in Portugal, also present in Spain and Italy. Since listings are free, thousands of new rental and sale offers appear daily.

Searching on Idealista is simple: just enter the city and, if you wish, specify zones or parishes on the map—even drawing the desired area. Additionally, the portal offers comprehensive filters, such as property type, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, floor, and whether the property is furnished or not.

Imovirtual

Imovirtual also covers the entire country and offers residential properties, commercial spaces, and offices. The site is intuitive, with practical filters such as property type, price, usable area, and energy performance.

Uniplaces

Mainly aimed at students and young professionals, Uniplaces offers rooms and apartments in Portugal and various cities across Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. One of its strengths is that it does not require a guarantor or an extensive list of documents, in addition to being 100% online, fast, and practical. On the other hand, they charge a service fee to the tenant. It is ideal for those seeking properties for a shorter stay, with a minimum stay of 27 days.

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Airbnb

Ideal for those seeking a temporary solution upon arrival in Portugal or who wish to rent for a short term. Airbnb offers local accommodations in central areas, generally with tourist infrastructure.

Advantages:

• More freedom compared to hotels;
• Possibility to cook and reduce food expenses;
• A good option for those who need time until finding permanent housing.

OLX

Although it is better known as a classifieds platform, OLX is very popular in Portugal and widely used by property owners who advertise their homes directly. However, it is important to schedule an in-person visit before closing a deal, since the platform does not provide formal intermediation between landlord and tenant.

Casa Sapo

To conclude the list of the best websites to rent a home in Portugal, it is also worth mentioning Casa Sapo, present in the market since 2001 and also operating in countries such as Brazil, Spain, Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Considered a market leader in Portugal, the website gathers more than 400,000 properties for sale, rent, short-term stays, and business use, offering a simple search by district, city, and property type. With intuitive filters and a clear interface, Casa Sapo makes it possible to find everything from affordable housing to luxury options, catering to different search profiles.

Real Estate Agency Portals

Another option to rent an apartment in Portugal is through a real estate agency with a strong presence in the Portuguese market, which has networks spread throughout the country. These websites bring together properties of different profiles — from apartments in urban areas to houses in suburban regions — and can be a practical alternative for those who prefer to look for listings with local service and personalized assistance throughout the rental process.

The largest real estate agencies in the country are:

• ERA,
• Remax,
• Century 21,
• Zome.

Websites for Renting Luxury Properties

Some real estate agencies are more focused on the luxury property market and also have websites with filters for refined searches and online browsing.

LUXIMOS – affiliated with Christie’s International Real Estate – is a portal specialized in high-end properties in Portugal, focusing on regions such as the Algarve, Porto, and the north of the country. The site offers a collection of luxury houses, apartments, and villas, including new constructions and exclusive developments.

To make the search easier, the platform provides filters by location, budget, and number of bedrooms, allowing users to quickly find properties that meet their needs.

Portugal Sotheby’s International Realty

Portugal Sotheby’s International Realty is one of the benchmarks in the luxury real estate market, bringing together higher-value properties in different regions of the country, such as Lisbon, Cascais, the Algarve, and Porto. The portal presents a selection of houses, apartments, and exclusive properties, many of them with distinctive architecture or privileged locations. To simplify the search, the site offers filters by area, budget, and typology, serving those looking for sophisticated properties to live in or invest in Portugal.

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Is there a Zillow in Portugal?

No, Zillow does not operate in Portugal.

If you’re looking for the equivalent of Zillow in Portugal, the closest alternatives are Idealista and Imovirtual. These platforms work as property marketplaces, where you can browse listings from many agencies and private sellers. Other options include Sapo Casa and OLX for general listings, and Uniplaces if you need student housing.

Websites to rent a house in Portugal for students

Most people who come to study in Portugal usually rent rooms and share houses with other students. If this is your case, consider searching on the following websites:

• Uniplaces;
• Uniresidences;
• BQuartos;
• Facebook Marketplace;
• University Residences.

If, on the other hand, you want to rent an entire house, whether just for yourself or to share with friends or family, the most recommended are the websites mentioned in the previous section.

Houses in Portugal for rent: how to find them

Now you already know which websites to use to rent a house in Portugal. So, there’s no big secret — it works the same way as in Brazil.

Research the regions of Portugal

The first step is to know in which region you want to relocate to Portugal, analyze the cities in that region, and weigh their advantages and disadvantages to make sure the location really matches your expectations and needs.

Once you’ve defined the city where you’ll live, another search needs to be made: the parish (neighborhood). Here, you should consider some of your needs. Some examples:

• If you’re coming to Portugal as a student, one tip is to look for housing in the same parish or one close to the university. This way, you’ll save commuting time and money on public transportation in Portugal.
• If you like lively neighborhoods, with more shops, bars, restaurants, and people out and about all day, the parishes in the city center and its surroundings will make more sense. However, be aware that rents in these areas are usually higher.
• If you value comfort and tranquility, or plan to buy a car in Portugal, choosing more distant neighborhoods will be a good option.

Therefore, analyze your needs and what really matters to you when defining the regions of interest in your search on websites to rent a house in Portugal.

Use filters to refine your search

Once the region is defined, your search will be much easier. And to make it even more efficient, you can use filters such as typology (number of bedrooms), whether you want a furnished apartment or not, the maximum price you’re willing to pay, square meters, among others. Each of the websites to rent a house in Portugal has its own filters.

Average rental costs

We have prepared a table with some districts, considering the average price per square meter. The values presented are based on September 2025 data from the Idealista website.

Average rental costs in Portugal:

How to rent a property in Portugal

The first step is to start your search on websites to rent a house in Portugal, which allow you to filter properties by location, price, and typology. When you find something of interest, try to schedule a visit to make sure the property matches the listing. If you can’t visit in person, relying on a real estate consultant can be a practical and safe alternative.

In addition to finding interesting listings, it’s also important to be prepared for the conditions of the Portuguese market. In cities like Lisbon and Porto, rental prices for a two-bedroom apartment in the city center can exceed €1,500, while in smaller cities such as Braga or Aveiro, costs can be up to 50% lower.

Another essential point is having your documentation ready — proof of income, identification, guarantor, and deposit are generally required by landlords. To better understand how the process works and learn the necessary precautions before signing a contract, check out our tips on renting property in Portugal.

How to Rent a Property in Portugal Without a Guarantor

Having a guarantor is a frequent requirement from landlords in Portugal, but it is not mandatory by law. If you don’t have someone who can take on this responsibility, there are some alternatives:

• Larger security deposit: instead of presenting a guarantor, the tenant can offer advance payment of several rents (in some cases up to 6 or 12 months).
• Bank deposit account: this consists of opening an account linked to the rental contract, where the agreed amount is deposited as a guarantee for the landlord.
• Rent insurance: some insurance companies offer products that replace the guarantor, covering possible payment failures.
• Direct negotiation: in specific situations, especially in less competitive properties or with more flexible landlords, it is possible to negotiate personalized conditions.

Although it may be more difficult to secure a lease without a guarantor, these solutions are recognized in the market and can facilitate approval of the rental.

Precautions When Renting a House in Portugal

Now that you already know the best websites to rent a house in Portugal, pay attention to some precautions you need to take. After all, fake rentals are among the most common scams in Portugal.

• Be suspicious of prices below the market average.
• Visit the property: whenever possible, see it in person or through a video call to ensure it matches the advertised photos.
• Check the location carefully: evaluate not only the neighborhood, but also nearby services, transport, and access.
• Review the contract: check the rent amount, terms, required deposit, and any additional clauses. Make sure everything is in writing.
• Request formal receipts: payments should always be documented, either by bank transfer or official receipt. Never transfer money before signing the contract.
• Confirm the legal status of the property: check if the house is properly registered and if the owner is authorized to rent it out.
• Be alert to excessive demands: it is common to require a guarantor and deposit, but abusive requests (such as excessively high rents or disproportionate deposits) should be evaluated carefully.

Airbnb (and other platforms) do not deliver keys nor are responsible for mediating visits or signing rental contracts. This scam is extremely common and usually comes with a story that the owner received a job offer outside the city or country and is renting the property at a lower price.

If you plan to relocate to Portugal, Atlantic Bridge can be your partner throughout the entire process. In addition to guiding you in choosing the most suitable visa or applying for citizenship, our team of lawyers is prepared to review property purchase and rental contracts, ensuring complete security and peace of mind in your decisions.

Contact us and count on comprehensive assistance to make your move to Portugal simpler and safer.