Moving to Portugal? Here's the Real Estate Vocabulary You Need

Relocating to Portugal is exciting—but navigating the property market can be daunting, especially if you're not fluent in Portuguese. Many real estate agents don't speak English, and even advanced language learners find the specialized terminology confusing.

Whether you're renting an apartment or buying your dream home, understanding common real estate terms and phrases is essential to avoid miscommunication and costly mistakes.

In this guide, you’ll learn key Portuguese real estate vocabulary, agent lingo, and common pitfalls to watch out for—plus get a free roadmap to learn the language that actually matters.

📌 Essential Portuguese Real Estate Terms

You’ll see these terms in almost every listing:

•  T1, T2, T3 — Number of bedrooms (e.g., T2 = two-bedroom)
•  Arrendamento — Rental
•  Venda — For sale
•  Caução — Deposit (usually 2-6 months of rent upfront)
•  Fiador — Guarantor (commonly required for non-Portuguese tenants)
•  Renda — Monthly rent
•  Imobiliária — Real estate agency
•  Moradia — Standalone house
•  Apartamento — Apartment
•  Planta — Floor plan
•  Escritura — The deed
•  CPCV (Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda) — Promissory contract

🗣️ Real Phrases Agents Use (and What They Really Mean)

Even if agents speak some English, you'll often hear these common phrases in Portuguese:

•  “Este imóvel já tem muita procura." — This property is in high demand. (Translation: act fast!)
•  “É um T2 renovado, com bons acabamentos." — Renovated two-bedroom with nice finishes.
•  “A renda mensal é de mil euros, mais despesas." — Rent is €1000 per month, plus utilities.
•  “Tem de apresentar fiador ou pagar caução extra." — You need a guarantor or must pay a higher deposit.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls for Expats

Avoid surprises by watching out for these real estate quirks in Portugal:

•  Condomínio — Monthly building fee (may or may not be included in rent)
•  Despesas incluídas — "Utilities included" (if not mentioned, assume they're separate)
•  Old listings — Properties might still appear online even after they’re gone. Always ask: “Está ainda disponível?"
•  Fast Portuguese — Agents often speak quickly. Don’t hesitate to ask: “Pode repetir, por favor? Ainda estou a aprender."
•  Slow responses — Expect delays in replies. If you find an agent who responds quickly and clearly, hold onto them!

Download your cheat sheet 

🧠 Want to Learn the Portuguese That Actually Matters?

Textbooks and apps don't prepare you for real-life conversations with landlords and agents. That’s why I created a free roadmap: "If I Were Learning Portuguese" 

Inside, you'll get: 

•  A focused strategy to learn Portuguese efficiently
•  Key expressions for real-life situations
•  A link to my 1-minute daily podcast to improve your listening

📍 Access Here

🏡 Recommended Real Estate Agency

If you need a trusted, expat-friendly real estate partner in Portugal, I recommend [Agency Name]. They understand both the local market and international clients because they’ve been through the relocation process themselves.

📍 https://instacard.co/Leesa-Booyzen

✅ Final Tips for Real Estate Success in Portugal

Learning Portuguese doesn't have to be overwhelming. Focus on real-world phrases, practice a little each day, and stay curious.

•  Start with the most-used vocabulary
•  Practice listening to fast Portuguese
•  Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request clarification

You’ve got this — and I’m here to help.

📥 Get your free Portuguese roadmap
🎧 Start the daily podcast