Renting Management Companies
The rental market is divided into short term (including vacation rentals) and long term. Short term is less than 12 months; it's an option that potential expats may consider when testing the waters here, to see if it's really an option for relocation. A vacation rental is fewer than three months.
When we choose a holiday destination, a place to work or live for short periods up to 1 year, local accommodation (normally a property rented out by a local) is one of the main alternatives (instead of hotels or renting for periods over one year) especially in Visa related issues where a residence address is required.
If you're looking for a rental property for a few months, e.g. 3 to 6 months, it's best not to rent unseen, but to rent a holiday apartment for a week or two to allow yourself time to look around for a longer term rental and see if you are keen on the area you are looking for.
Short-term Rentals (including vacation rentals) (few weeks/months up to 1 year)
- Vacation rentals always—and short-term residences often—come furnished, with utilities included.
- Short-term rentals have much higher prices than for long-term, particularly in popular holiday areas where many properties are let as self-catering holiday accommodation.
- Local accommodation also offer special low rates for long stays during the low season, with a considerable reduction up to 50%. Check whether a property is fully equipped and whether it has heating if you're planning to rent in winter.
- Rentals can be found by contacting owners advertising in publications and through estate agents in most areas of Portugal, many of whom also handle short-term lets. You can check short-term rentals in renting management companies.
Long-term Rentals (more than 1 year)
- It is necessary a rental contract when renting a property in Portugal, whether long or medium term. Lease contracts (contrato de arrendamento) are commonly for one up to three years and renewable by mutual agreement between the landlord and tenant.
- In portuguese resort areas it's more common to buy, although there's an adequate choice of long-term rentals in most regions, including everything from studio apartments to luxurious villas.
- Rent is usually paid one month in advance with one month's rent as a deposit.
- Most properties in resort areas are let furnished, whether long or short-term. In major cities long-term rentals are usually let unfurnished.
- Long-term rentals are good value in resort areas outside summer season (june-september), where it's possible to rent a property for the entire winter season.
- Long-term rentals don't usually include utilities (electricity, gas, telecommunications)
For long term rentals, please see also this link:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=904388
Types of Lets in Portugal
"Moradia" | Villa: An independent residential property which can be used by a single family.
"Apartamento" | Apartment: A self-contained residential unit in a dwelling with 2 floors or more.
"Estabelecimento de Hospedagem" | Guest House: Is an "Alojamento Local" that rents out individual rooms to guests in a building. This type of short let can carry the title of 'hostel' when it meets additional requirements. The Guest House can define itself as a hostel when it rents out beds in a dorm room.
"Quartos" | Rooms: An "Alojamento Local" that operates in the same address as the host's