The national rental market is showing signs of becoming more accessible, after a period in which rental homes were becoming increasingly expensive. Proof of this is that in February 2026, house rents in Portugal fell again by around 1.4% compared to the same month last year, in a context that continues to be one of high demand, but is now accompanied by an increase in the supply of properties available for rent across the country.
The data therefore show that renting a home now has a median cost of 16.2 euros per square metre (euros/m²) at the end of last month, moving away from the historic high of 17 euros/m² recorded in October 2025. And, as indicated by the price index from idealista, this reflects a trend of cheaper rents that has been consolidating in recent months, with the quarterly variation standing at a price drop of around 2.7%.
Lisbon with rents stabilising – but in Porto they fall 2.5%
The price of rental homes increased in nine of the 15 district capitals (or autonomous region capitals) analysed with representative samples. The largest annual rent increases were recorded in Bragança (16.9%), Coimbra (11.4%) and Leiria (10.4%).
With rent growth below double digits were Viana do Castelo (9.8%), Setúbal (9.3%) and Ponta Delgada (9.2%). Moderate rent increases were observed in Castelo Branco (4.1%), Faro (3.2%) and Aveiro (2.3%).
In the opposite direction, annual decreases in the cost of renting a home were recorded in Porto (-2.5%), Braga (-1.6%), Évora (-1.2%) and Viseu (-0.8%). In Lisbon (-0.5%) and Funchal (0.5%), prices remained practically stable.
Lisbon continues to be the most expensive city in which to rent a home, with a median price of 21.7 euros/m², followed by Porto (16.8 euros/m²) and Funchal (16.2 euros/m²). Next come Faro (14.7 euros/m²), Setúbal (13.7 euros/m²), Coimbra (12.8 euros/m²), Évora (12.4 euros/m²), Aveiro (11.5 euros/m²) and Ponta Delgada (11 euros/m²).
In the mid-range rental segment are Braga (10.2 euros/m²), Viana do Castelo (9.5 euros/m²) and Leiria (9.3 euros/m²). The most affordable district capitals for renting a home continue to be Viseu (7.5 euros/m²), Castelo Branco (7.1 euros/m²) and Bragança (6.7 euros/m²).
Rental house prices by major cities
Median value in February 2026 (euros/m²/month)
Variation between February 2026 and the same month last year (%)
District capitals (or autonomous region capitals) – Price (euros/m²) – Annual variation (%)
Porto – 16.8 – −2.5%
Braga – 10.2 – −1.6%
Évora – 12.4 – −1.2%
Viseu – 7.5 – −0.8%
Lisbon – 21.7 – −0.5%
Funchal – 16.2 – 0.5%
Aveiro – 11.5 – 2.3%
Faro – 14.7 – 3.2%
Castelo Branco – 7.1 – 4.1%
Ponta Delgada – 11.0 – 9.2%
Setúbal – 13.7 – 9.3%
Viana do Castelo – 9.5 – 9.8%
Leiria – 9.3 – 10.4%
Coimbra – 12.8 – 11.4%
Bragança – 6.7 – 16.9%
Source: idealista
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Five districts feel rental prices falling
Between February 2026 and the same month of the previous year, rental prices increased in 13 of the 20 districts and islands analysed, remained stable in two territories and fell in five, according to idealista.
The largest annual increase in rental prices was recorded in Bragança (31.2%), followed by Beja (24.2%), Castelo Branco (17.3%) and Coimbra (16.9%). Increases were also observed on the island of São Miguel (8.9%), in Leiria (6.8%), Aveiro (6%), Portalegre (5%), Setúbal (4.6%), Braga (4.3%), Viana do Castelo (3.7%), Santarém (3.5%) and Évora (2.8%).
On the island of Madeira (0.1%) and in Lisbon (-0.2%), rental prices remained stable. In contrast, the largest annual rent decreases were felt in Guarda (-7%), Vila Real (-6.4%), Faro (-6.1%), Porto (-2.7%) and Viseu (-1.6%).
Lisbon leads the ranking of the most expensive districts and islands for renting a home, with a median price of 20 euros/m², followed by the island of Madeira (15.7 euros/m²) and Porto (15 euros/m²). Next come Faro (14.9 euros/m²) and Setúbal (14.5 euros/m²).
With rental values equal to or above 10 euros/m² are also Coimbra (11.9 euros/m²), Beja (11.7 euros/m²), São Miguel (11.7 euros/m²), Évora (11.5 euros/m²), Braga (10.3 euros/m²), Aveiro (10.1 euros/m²) and Leiria (10 euros/m²).
In the mid-range segment of residential rental prices are Viana do Castelo (9.2 euros/m²), Santarém (8.7 euros/m²) and Castelo Branco (8.3 euros/m²). The most affordable districts for renting a home continue to be Viseu (7.2 euros/m²), Bragança (7.2 euros/m²), Vila Real (7.1 euros/m²), Portalegre (7 euros/m²) and finally Guarda (6.3 euros/m²).
Rental house prices by districts and islands
Median value in February 2026 (euros/m²/month)
Variation between February 2026 and the same month last year (%)
Districts and islands – Price (euros/m²) – Annual variation (%)
Guarda – 6.3 – −7.0%
Vila Real – 7.1 – −6.4%
Faro – 14.9 – −6.1%
Porto – 15.0 – −2.7%
Viseu – 7.2 – −1.6%
Lisbon – 20.0 – −0.2%
Madeira (Island) – 15.7 – 0.1%
Évora – 11.5 – 2.8%
Santarém – 8.7 – 3.5%
Viana do Castelo – 9.2 – 3.7%
Braga – 10.3 – 4.3%
Setúbal – 14.5 – 4.6%
Portalegre – 7.0 – 5.0%
Aveiro – 10.1 – 6.0%
Leiria – 10.0 – 6.8%
São Miguel (Island) – 11.7 – 8.9%
Coimbra – 11.9 – 16.9%
Castelo Branco – 8.3 – 17.3%
Beja – 11.7 – 24.2%
Bragança – 7.2 – 31.2%
Source: idealista
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Rents fall 6.1% in the Algarve and 3.3% in the North
Over the last 12 months, rental prices increased in four of the seven Portuguese regions analysed, fell in two and remained stable in one, according to idealista data.
The largest annual rent increases were recorded in the Centre (8.8%), followed by the Autonomous Region of the Azores (4.6%) and the Alentejo (3.3%). The Autonomous Region of Madeira (0.8%) showed a slight increase. In the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, rents remained stable (-0.2%). In contrast, annual decreases were recorded in the Algarve (-6.1%) and in the North (-3.3%).
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area remains the most expensive region in the country for renting a home, with a median price of 19.4 euros/m². It is followed by the Autonomous Region of Madeira (15.7 euros/m²), Algarve (14.9 euros/m²), North (13.7 euros/m²) and Alentejo (11.6 euros/m²). The most affordable regions for renting a home continue to be the Autonomous Region of the Azores (10.7 euros/m²) and the Centre (10.1 euros/m²).
Renting a home in Portugal
Cheaper house rents in the Algarve
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