From the United Kingdom to the United States – where are different nationalities buying property in Portugal?

When it comes to buying property in Portugal, the profile of international buyers varies from region to region, reflecting the growing diversification of investment in the Portuguese real estate market.

And British, American, French, German, and Irish nationals are among the top investors, but with distinct preferences regarding different places within regions and even parts of Portugal.

The Portuguese real estate market continues to establish itself as one of the most attractive in Europe for international buyers, with an increasingly diverse range of investor nationalities.

Portugal presents a mosaic of markets where different locations take center stage—reflecting the specific characteristics and positioning of each region—according to findings from the Engel & Völkers Market Report Portugal 2025-2026.

The Minho

In the Minho region, British buyers continue to stand out as the leading foreign nationality investing in the real estate market. They are drawn by the quality of life, the region’s heritage, and its rising value, showing a strong preference for purchasing houses. This segment is dominated almost exclusively by foreign investors (95%).

Porto

In contrast, domestic buyers remain the dominant group in Porto (73%), compared to international buyers (27%).

Among foreign buyers, North Americans have solidified their leading position—followed by the French and Spanish—demonstrating the city’s growing appeal in markets with high purchasing power.

Vila Nova de Gaia

In Vila Nova de Gaia, although domestic buyers dominate the market (67%), data from Engel & Völkers indicates significant growth in foreign investment, which now accounts for approximately one-third of transactions (33%). The United States, the United Kingdom, and France are the most represented nationalities.

Comporta and West Coast

Further south, the West has solidified its standing as an international residential market. According to the Market Report, foreign buyers accounted for 55% of transactions handled by Engel & Völkers in the region in 2025. North Americans, French, and Germans lead the demand, drawn by the combination of proximity to Lisbon, quality of life, authenticity, and prices that remain competitive compared to other markets.

Cascais

The buyer profile in Cascais remains strongly international, with 81.3% of purchases made by foreigners. Cascais is a prime example of investor geographic diversity, with Brazilian, Russian, and North American nationalities standing out.

The Algarve

The Algarve confirms its status as the region attracting the most foreign investment. Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo stand out for their strong international appeal—around 80% of buyers are foreign, predominantly from the UK and Ireland, followed by investors from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. As areas distinguished by their exclusivity, they demonstrate the Algarve’s continued ability to attract high-net-worth buyers. In Vilamoura, the international share reaches 75%, with German, Dutch, and Belgian buyers dominating transactions.

“Portugal continues to establish itself as a premier global real estate destination, but what truly sets the market apart today is its diversity.

Each region offers a unique value proposition and attracts different buyer profiles—whether due to quality of life, proximity to urban centers, heritage, the natural environment, or capital appreciation potential.

This diversity makes the Portuguese market more resilient,” says Margarita Oltra, Regional Manager at Engel & Völkers.

Source: Engels & Völkers