The government's new housing package introduces a legal category of “moderate” housing prices that will be updated each year; Público reports the maximum “moderate” selling price has been raised to €660,000. The same coverage says rents will use a fixed base value with a ceiling of €2,300 under the new rules. The legislative package was approved this week by the Assembly, so people seeking labelled affordable housing and landlords should watch implementation details and local registries.
Housing package sets 'moderate' price cap at €660,000
Saturday, 21 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The INE housing price index (Índice de Preços da Habitação) tracks changes in residential property transaction prices across Portugal, published quarterly by the National Statistics Institute (INE). It covers both new and existing dwellings and breaks data down by region, property type, and buyer nationality.
The index is a key reference for policymakers debating housing affordability measures, for lenders assessing mortgage risk, and for buyers and investors tracking market trends. It has shown sustained price growth since 2015, with particularly sharp increases in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve driven by international demand, tourism, and housing shortages.
Related INE publications include monthly housing transaction data, rental indices, and construction statistics. Together, they provide the most comprehensive picture of Portugal's property market.
Moderate-price housing (preços moderados) means homes sold with a legal maximum price set to keep certain properties affordable, often as part of public or subsidised housing programmes. These caps and eligibility rules are set by national or municipal housing authorities and can change, so buyers and renters should check the local municipality or the national housing institute for current limits and rules.
