If you’re looking for accommodation for rent in Portugal, it’s crucial to understand the local real estate terminology. In this guide, you’ll find the essential concepts and terms you’ll come across when searching for rentals in Lisbon and other cities in Portugal.
Types of housing
- Apartamento: This is the most common type of housing that you'll find in cities. It means a flat or apartment.
- Moradia: This refers to a house. A moradia can be semi-detached (moradia geminada), detached (moradia isolada), or a terraced house (moradia em banda)
- Vivenda: This word is often used interchangeably with moradia. It also means house or villa, usually with a garden and typically detached.
Number of rooms
Homes in Portugal are categorized by the number of bedrooms. Here are some details you may find helpful:
- T0: Studio apartment (no separate bedroom)
- T1: One-bedroom apartment
- T2: Two-bedroom apartment
- T3: Three-bedroom apartment
- And so on...
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The letter “T” stands for tipologia (typology), which indicates the number of bedrooms.
Important terms
- Sala: Living room.
- Cozinha: Kitchen.
- Casa de banho (WC): Bathroom. Bathrooms are often described by the presence of a shower (duche) or a bathtub (banheira).
- Varanda: Balcony.
- Terraço: Terrace. Typically, a terraço is bigger than a varanda and can be on the roof.
- Garagem: Garage. Some houses or apartments come with a private garage or parking spaces (estacionamento).
- Mobilado: Mobilado refers to a property that is equipped with furniture.
- Não Mobilado: Não mobilado means it’s not furnished.
Utilities and extras
- Despesas Incluídas: Utilities included. If you see this phrase in a rental listing, it means the rent price includes utilities like electricity, water, gas, and (sometimes) internet.
- Condomínio: This means the condominium fee. It’s a monthly payment for the maintenance of common areas in a complex or building. This fee is sometimes included in the rent (incluído), but it’s often an additional cost.
- Água, luz, gás: Water, electricity, and gas.
Rental process terms
- Contrato de arrendamento: Rental contract. This is the lease agreement that you will sign as a tenant.
- Fiador: Guarantor. An individual who agrees to pay if the tenant cannot pay. Many landlords in Portugal require a guarantor.
- Caução: Security deposit. Landlords usually require the equivalent of one or two months’ rent as a deposit.
- Depósito: Another term for deposit. It’s sometimes used interchangeably with caução.
- Senhorio/Proprietário: Landlord/Owner.
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Renting tips for Portugal
- Visit the property: Always view a property in person before you rent it, or use the virtual tour option if available.
- Check the contract: Make sure the rental contract (lease agreement) includes all agreed terms, including the rental price, the deposit, the duration, and date and the conditions for the return of the deposit.
- Understand the utilities: Clarify which utilities are included in the rent and which are extra. In Portugal, the internet is generally not included in utility services and is charged separately.
- Know your rights: Familiarize yourself as well as possible with tenants' rights in Portugal. For example, rent increases are regulated and must follow certain guidelines by law.
Flatio: Accommodation for rent in Portugal
Are you looking for deposit-free, flexible, and cheap accommodation for rent in Portugal?
Just take a look at Flatio.com. There you will find the following housing in Portugal and more!
- Furnished apartments in Portugal
- Furnished houses in Portugal
- Beachfront villas in Portugal
- Private rooms for rent in Portugal
- Accommodation for students in Portugal
- Cheap accommodation to rent for digital nomads in Portugal
- Short-term stays in Portugal
- Monthly stays in Portugal
- Long-term stays in Portugal
And you can find rental accommodation, including cheap apartments for rent and furnished flats, in various parts of Portugal, such as:
- Rentals in Lisbon
- Rentals in Porto
- Rentals in Braga
- Rentals in Algarve
- Rentals in Faro
- Rentals in Madeira
- Rentals in Funchal
- Rentals in Coimbra
- Rentals in Aveiro
- Rentals in Évora
- Rentals in Cascais
- Rentals in Sintra
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