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New Construction is Taking Off All over Portugal, Particularly in the Algarve, Alentejo and Greater Lisbon

15 June 2018

Unlike the end of 2017, which saw a decline of 1.4%, the issuance of building permits is growing nationwide. The most recent data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show that licensing increased by 2% in the first quarter (compared to the same period last year), with the increase mainly fuelled by new construction (6.7%). Licensing for rehabilitation works fell by 20.7%.

The comeback of new construction is occurring throughout the country, most notably in the regions of the Algarve (13.1%), Alentejo (12.9%) and Lisbon Metropolitan Area (8.3%). Of the total, 70.3% (4,500) went to family housing, which saw a rise of 29.8% over the first quarter of 2017.

Considering all types of construction in all destinations, a small number of municipalities concentrate the greatest proportion of licensed building works. The municipalities with the highest increases were responsible for of 20.7% of the total licensing in the first quarter of 2018: Porto (10.9%), Vila Nova de Gaia (3.0%), Odivelas %), Lagos (2.0%) and Leiria (2.5%).

Completed works increase 20%

3,500 buildings were completed in Portugal during the same period, corresponding to a 20% increase over the first quarter of 2017. Of these, 72% were new builds, of which 69.8% were built as family residences.

The Azores was the only area that registered a year-on-year decrease in the number of completed buildings, falling by 3.3%. All others registered increases, particularly in the Algarve (48.6%), Alentejo (28.5%) and the North (27%).

Original Story: Idealista

Photo: Gtres

Translation: Richard Turner