Portuguese Rents Rise, with Portalegre Seeing 27% Monthly Jump
A new statistical analysis from the real estate portal Imovirtual has identified Portalegre as the location with the most significant monthly increase in rental prices across Portugal. The study, which analyzed advertised prices in August 2025, revealed that the city in the Alto Alentejo region experienced a 27% surge in average rents compared to July 2025. This sharp rise brought the average rental cost in Portalegre to €700 per month. The findings point to a dynamic and rapidly changing rental landscape, particularly in Portugal's interior regions which are now seeing increased demand.
The data was compiled based on the thousands of property listings advertised on the Imovirtual platform, with the methodology involving a comparison of average prices between July and August 2025, as well as a year-over-year analysis with August 2024. The study aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the evolution of both rental and sales markets. The report indicates that while major metropolitan areas have long been the focus of price increases, significant shifts are now occurring in smaller cities, suggesting a broadening of housing market pressures across the country.
In specific numerical findings, the study showed that while Portalegre led the country in rental growth, other cities in the Alentejo region also saw movement. The city of Beja recorded a slight increase, bringing its average rent to €700, in line with Portalegre. In contrast, Évora, the region's largest city, saw its rental market stabilize, with the average price holding steady at €1,000 from the previous month. At a national level, the average rent for a property in Portugal rose to €1,300, a monthly increase of 2% from July's average of €1,280, signaling sustained inflationary pressure in the rental sector nationwide.
The sales market also reflected this upward trend. In the Alentejo, property purchase prices saw modest growth. Évora remains the most expensive city in the region to buy a home, with a 2% monthly increase pushing the average price to €264,500. Portalegre, despite its rental spike, had the lowest average purchase price at €125,000, which also represented a 2% increase. Beja's average sales price rose by 1% to €197,000. Across Portugal, the average home sales price climbed to €426,000. This figure represents a 1% increase from July and a significant 15% appreciation when compared to the average price of €369,000 in August 2024.
Industry experts suggest these statistical trends reflect a combination of factors, including increased domestic mobility, a growing interest in remote work, and continued demand from international buyers looking for value outside of the main coastal cities. The sharp increase in a city like Portalegre could indicate a market correction or a sudden influx of demand that has outstripped the available supply. Government bodies and real estate associations are expected to monitor these developments closely, as housing affordability in the interior becomes a more pressing issue. The data suggests that investment focus may begin to shift, with emerging opportunities for capital growth now appearing in previously overlooked regions of the country. Stay informed on Lisbon property market developments at realestate-lisbon.com.
