2023

Unlike in the UK, but similar to many other European countries, the Portuguese celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24 th December and Christmas Day is far quieter – more like our Boxing Day. On the 24 th December, it is traditional for all the generation of a family to share a late evening meal and eat Bacalhau (codfish), followed by their Christmas cake called Bolo Rei or King cake.This festive...

It’s complicated enough getting to grips with learning the Portuguese language, which is certainly not one of southern Europe’s easiest to pick up, so to help you on that sense here it is Our property dictionary and architectural guide for buying real estate in Portugal.When buying your home from a reputable real estate agent you will certainly have the advantage of a translator because most will...

Here’s what you really need to know about the process as an overseas buyer. The good news is that to buy a property in Portugal the process is quite a streamlined and normally takes between two and three months.It is not too different from buying a home elsewhere, but there are important procedures and steps that every buyer should be aware of to ensure your transaction runs smoothly. It also makes...

... when buying overseas property O&O Real Estate invited foreign exchange trading partner Capitex’s Joe Edwards, Managing director, to explain the importance of exchange rate fluctuations when buying overseas property...Q: How do exchange rate fluctuations impact a foreign buyer investing in a property in Portugal or overseas?A: Buying an international property is an exciting experience but...

Portugal is renowned for its dramatic coastline. The country’s endless beaches leading out into the Atlantic Ocean make for spectacular waves and powerful surf. The sea takes on a different appearance throughout the year. On a bright summer’s day it will glisten in the sunlight calm and clear, but on an early winter’s morning, frothy noisy waves will roll onto the shore, breaking...

25 September was the date chosen to mark NATIONAL DAY OF SUSTAINABILITY. National Day of Sustainability is a day dedicated to raising public awareness of the importance of sustainability for the future of the planet. The date, 25 September, was chosen because it was the day on which the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Portugal, the day is celebrated with a...

Why You should by properties in Portugal with a Real Estate Agency? 1. Portugal is a resilient country when it comes to property. Year-on-year national property prices rose by 6.2% and stocks levels are very low. In some areas during Q1 and Q2 2023, including the Algarve, prices increased. 2. Like the UK, Portugal has experienced a rise in interest rates. This, together with low levels of property...

The Blue Flag is an accolade awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) tobeaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. This year, Portugal was awarded an outstanding 432 Blue Flags including 394 beaches, 17 marinasand 21 boats. The Algarve claimed 91 coveted Blue Flags this year, up from 86 in 2022 - with 85 beaches, fourmarinas and two tour boats receiving the...

The Algarve is at its hottest during July and August with an average daily temperature of 24ºC, but as well as sunbathing and exploring the beautiful beaches or hanging out by the pool, here are some fun things we’ve picked out for you to enjoy this summer. Festival Fun in the Algarve No summer in the Algarve would be complete without a festival or two to showcase the region’s traditional...

The Algarve has become the first region in Portugal to start a national water saving campaign called, ‘Água é vida – não a desperdice’ (Water is life – don’t waste it).As a popular holiday region and a favourite among second homeowners, it’s not surprising that the Algarve’s population “almost doubles during the summer months,” causing water consumption to rise significantly. The...