Latest news and stories about construction costs in Portugal for expats and residents.
An analysis of the critical role engineers play in construction projects, highlighting the disparity between their high value and relatively low cost.
Construction costs for new housing rose 4.0% in 2025 versus 2024, accelerating from a 3.4% increase the prior year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The rise was driven chiefly by a 7.7% increase in labour costs — the largest component — although that labour increase actually eased compared with 2024. The data point suggests mounting pressure on housing affordability and margins for developers, with labour market dynamics continuing to be the main cost-side risk for the sector.
The cost of new housing construction increased by 4.7% in February compared to the same month in 2025, with labour costs rising by 8.2% and materials by 1.7%, according to estimates released by the INE this Thursday, the 9th. In February, the year-on-year change in the New Housing Construction Cost Index (ICCHN) reached 4.7%, an increase of 0.9 percentage points (p.p.) compared to January and higher than the 3.2% recorded in the same month last year. The data, released today by the National Statistics Institute (INE), shows that material prices grew by 1.7% in February, compared to 0.7% in January, while labour costs rose by 8.2%, up from 7.5% the previous month. Labour was the primary driver of the year-on-year index, contributing 3.8 p.p. to the variation, while materials contributed 0.9 p.p. According to the INE, materials with the most significant positive impact on price variation included glass and mirrors, which rose by approximately 20%, and bare copper wire, tiles, and mosaics, which saw increases of over 15% compared to the same period last year. Conversely, bitumen prices fell by 20%, and materials for cladding, insulation, and waterproofing dropped by about 10%. On a monthly basis, the ICCHN variation rate was 1.0% in February, 0.1 p.p. higher than the previous month and 0.8 p.p. above February of last year. For the monthly variation, labour contributed 0.2 p.p. and materials 0.8 p.p. The INE also revised the index variations for January and December 2025 upwards by 0.1 p.p. each, to 3.8% and 4.0% respectively.
Thinking of building a house? Prepare to pay more than you did a year ago. The 4.7% rise in new housing construction costs recorded in February is mainly explained by the increase in labour costs. This represents an acceleration of almost one percentage point compared to January. For those who have already looked...
On a day featuring another Council of Ministers meeting and António José Seguro's tour of the Central region as part of his first Open Presidency, the UGT national secretariat is expected to decide on action strategies regarding the labour reform proposal. Also, the INE will release the February construction cost index.
The real estate market may face new difficulties. The president of the country's largest construction company, Mota-Engil, makes harsh criticisms of the Government's measures and warns of possible consequences for the sector. Carlos Mota Santos also predicts that the increase in fuel prices will put pressure on construction costs, which could be reflected in a new rise in the housing market.
The real estate market may face new difficulties. The president of the country's largest construction company, Mota-Engil, criticises public tenders and warns of potential consequences for the sector. Carlos Mota Santos also predicts that rising fuel prices will put pressure on construction costs, which could be reflected in a new price hike in the housing market.
Carlos Mota Santos, CEO of Mota-Engil, predicts that the rise in fuel prices will impact the increase in construction costs, with consequences for the housing market, and could lead to a postponement of investments to keep public accounts balanced.
The increase in fuel prices will impact the rise in construction costs, with consequences for the housing market, and could lead to a postponement of investments to keep public accounts balanced.
The increase in fuel prices will impact the rise in construction costs, with consequences for the housing market, and could lead to a postponement of investments to keep public accounts balanced.
The index related to labour costs saw the highest increase, rising by 7.7% over the year. However, this still represents a slowdown compared to 2024.
The price of roof tiles has surged, with homeowners claiming they now cost more than gold when trying to secure and protect their houses.
Home Property Building Portugal at 6 (%) VAT rate – The Three King’s Gift? Building Portugal at 6 (%) VAT rate – The Three King’s Gift? Embracing the Christmas season’s spirit of giving, the Portuguese Government submitted, on 2nd December the, Proposal No.
Construction costs for new housing increased by 4.5% in November.
Costs of new housing construction in Portugal rose by 4.5% in November year-on-year, according to data released on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The change represents an acceleration of 0.1 percentage points compared with the previous month. Labour costs were the main driver of this increase, with ...
