North Portugal Leads Nation in Home Sales Volume in Q2, INE Reports
A statistical announcement from Portugal's National Statistics Institute (INE) has revealed that the Northern region was the national leader for the volume of residential property sales in the second quarter of 2025. The data, part of the official Housing Price Index, shows a total of 42,889 family homes were sold nationwide during the period.
The source of the data is the INE, which compiles transactional data from official property registrations. The methodology relies on the legal records of all residential sales, providing the most accurate overview of market activity. The report also noted that the North Region experienced the highest growth in the number of sales, indicating a particularly dynamic market.
The specific numerical findings show that the 12,955 homes sold in the North represent 30% of the total market share. This places the region, which includes Porto, firmly at the top in terms of transactional velocity. This high volume suggests a liquid market with a wide range of available properties and strong buyer demand.
The geographic breakdown of sales provides a clear picture of the national market. Following the North, the Greater Lisbon area was the second most active region, accounting for 19% of all sales. The Center region was third with 16%, followed by the Setúbal Peninsula (10%), the West and Tejo Valley (9%), the Algarve (8%), Alentejo (5%), and the Azores and Madeira islands, each with 2% of the total sales.
A time period comparison with previous quarters, while not fully detailed in the initial release, indicates that the North's growth in sales accelerated in Q2 compared to the start of the year. Conversely, while Lisbon and the Algarve have lower sales volumes, they continue to post the highest average prices by a significant margin, confirming their status as the country's premium markets. The report also highlights that price inflation is most acute in the suburban peripheries of Lisbon and Porto, as buyers seek more affordable options outside the city centers.
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The market segment analysis points to a slight shift in buyer profiles. The INE noted an increase in the proportion of homes purchased by domestic Portuguese families, while the share of acquisitions by foreign buyers and corporations saw a small decline. This may suggest a strengthening of the local market, though foreign investment remains a critical component, especially in the high-value segments of Lisbon and the Algarve.
An industry expert from a leading real estate consultancy commented on the trends, stating, “The data from INE confirms the decentralization of demand we've been observing. While Lisbon remains the price leader, the transactional heat is clearly in the North. Porto and its surrounding areas offer a compelling combination of lifestyle and relative affordability that is attracting both Portuguese families and a new wave of international investors.”
The government has not issued a direct response to this specific dataset, but the figures will be used to inform ongoing discussions about housing policy and regional development. The robust activity in the North could be seen as a success for efforts to promote economic growth outside of Lisbon.
Historically, Lisbon has dominated both sales volume and price. The current data, however, shows a market that is maturing and diversifying, with the North establishing itself as a powerhouse for transactions. This trend has been building over the last few years, driven by investment in infrastructure and the growth of Porto as a business and technology hub.
The INE will continue to track this data, with the next quarterly report expected in December. These future reports will be crucial to confirm if the North's leadership in sales volume is a sustained trend and to monitor the price evolution in Portugal's different regional markets. Stay informed on Lisbon property market developments at realestate-lisbon.com.