Today, luxury homes are no longer defined solely by a premium location, sophisticated design, or top-of-the-line finishes. This concept has been evolving, with sustainability and comfort taking on a central role when purchasing a high-end property. However, anyone looking for a luxury home with high energy efficiency in Portugal will encounter a geographically heterogeneous market. While most luxury apartments have a high energy rating in almost all the Portuguese districts and islands analyzed, the same is not true when looking at villas, as revealed by this analysis from idealista.
There are more than 6,000 listings of luxury homes for sale on idealista (villas and apartments) with an A or A+ energy certificate, the highest rating of all. Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the island of Madeira, and Setúbal account for the largest share of the supply of these efficient residences priced above one million euros, according to idealista/data figures for the last quarter ending in January 2026.
Looking at the total stock of luxury homes for sale with an energy certificate listed on the portal, there are significant differences between villas and apartments:
Villas: the supply of luxury homes with high energy efficiency represents less than half of the premium stock in almost all districts and islands, including Lisbon (34% of the total) and Porto (35%). Only on the island of Madeira do the majority of premium villas have an A or A+ energy certificate (62%);
Apartments: on the other hand, the supply of luxury apartments with high energy efficiency is dominant in virtually all territories analyzed with representative samples, such as Braga, Setúbal, Aveiro, Porto, the island of Madeira, and Faro. The only exception is the district of Lisbon, where only 44% of the premium stock has the highest energy rating.
It should be noted that this analysis only considers listings of luxury homes for sale on idealista (new and existing) that indicated the energy certificate category, which is a mandatory requirement when selling or renting a home in Portugal, including in the luxury segment. In fact, obtaining this type of certification is indispensable in the construction of new homes. Today, developers and builders must comply with high efficiency standards, and the vast majority of newly completed residential buildings have an A or A+ rating, as can be verified through public data from the Building Energy Certification System.
Efficient luxury homes: where are there more?
Data from the last three months ending in January 2026
% of luxury homes with A and A+ energy certificates compared to the total premium stock in each territory
Districts and islands – Villa supply – Apartment supply
Aveiro – 31% – 73%
Braga – 38% – 84%
Faro – 36% – 58%
Leiria – 40% – –
Lisbon – 34% – 44%
Madeira (island) – 62% – 61%
Porto – 35% – 71%
Santarém – 17% – –
São Miguel (island in the Azores) – 41% – –
Setúbal – 38% – 82%
Viana do Castelo – 20% – –
Source: idealista/data
High energy efficiency enhances luxury housing: where?
Sustainability and high energy efficiency are factors that can help further enhance and differentiate a premium home. But does it directly impact the price of luxury homes for sale on the market?
There is no single answer to this question, as different factors weigh into property valuation. What can be said is that there are districts and islands where energy-efficient luxury apartments and villas are significantly more expensive than those with a lower rating (below A), based on the same idealista/data figures for the last three months ending in January:
Efficient luxury villas have higher prices than non-efficient ones in six of the 11 districts and islands analyzed. On the island of Madeira and in Faro, the price difference exceeds 20% in favor of environmental sustainability. In Lisbon, it is 12%;
There are also three districts where efficient luxury apartments are more expensive than non-efficient ones (Porto, Setúbal, and Lisbon), although the differences are less pronounced, in the single-digit range.
But the opposite also occurs. In other words, there are premium homes with high energy comfort that are priced lower than luxury homes with a lower energy class (such as B, B-, C, D, E, or even F). The largest price difference in the case of villas was detected in Porto (-13%), and in the case of apartments in Aveiro (-13%). This may be due to the fact that, despite not having high efficiency, these homes may have other luxury features that increase their value, such as large areas, amenities, location, outdoor spaces, etc.
How much does it cost to buy an efficient premium home?
Data from the last three months ending in January 2026
Median prices of luxury villas and apartments with A and A+ energy class (euros)
Difference between prices of efficient luxury homes and premium homes without A and A+ certification
Districts and islands – Villa price (euros) – Villa price difference – Apartment price (euros) – Apartment price difference
Aveiro – 1,250,000 – −12% – 1,300,000 – −13%
Braga – 1,400,000 – −7% – 1,300,000 – −1%
Faro – 1,950,000 – 24% – 1,310,000 – −6%
Leiria – 1,485,000 – 6% – – – –
Lisbon – 2,200,000 – 12% – 1,550,000 – 4%
Madeira (island) – 1,700,000 – 26% – 1,500,000 – 0%
Porto – 1,300,000 – −13% – 1,400,000 – 8%
Santarém – 1,300,000 – −6% – – – –
São Miguel (island in the Azores) – 1,750,000 – 17% – – – –
Setúbal – 2,195,000 – 16% – 1,500,000 – 7%
Viana do Castelo – 1,300,000 – 0% – – – –
Source: idealista/data
The most expensive luxury villas with high energy efficiency can be found in Lisbon and Setúbal, with median prices exceeding 2 million euros. The most affordable villas with these characteristics are located in the district of Aveiro (1.25 million euros). The most expensive efficient premium apartments are also located in Lisbon, with prices around 1.55 million euros, while the cheapest cost 1.3 million euros and are found in Aveiro, Braga, and Faro.