Contractor Verification

2 articles

Alvará checks, licensing databases, and what platforms actually verify before calling a contractor "vetted."

Portugal's Contractor Trust Problem — and What's Changing

Foreign property owners have virtually no way to verify a contractor's credentials, insurance, or track record before handing over money.

Coming soon

Beyond the Alvará: What "Vetted" Actually Means in 2026

Platforms claiming contractor verification are multiplying. We examined what each one actually checks.

Renovation Costs

2 articles

Real quotes, real spreads, and why the same job can cost twice as much depending on who you ask.

What Does a Kitchen Renovation Actually Cost in Lisbon in 2026?

We collected quotes from 14 contractors across Greater Lisbon. The spread was enormous.

Coming soon

Why Portuguese Renovation Quotes Vary by 300% — and What to Do About It

The same bathroom renovation. Five contractors. Quotes ranging from €4,200 to €16,800. We break down why.

Regulation & Compliance

3 articles

DL 10/2024, EPBD 2024/1275, DL 108/2026, and the rest of the regulatory calendar reshaping Portuguese real estate.

DL 108/2026: The Training Mandate Real Estate Agents Can't Ignore

Portugal's new decree requires documented AI competency training. Here's who's offering it, what counts, and the deadlines.

The EU Renovation Passport Arrives in Portugal: What Owners Need to Know

EPBD Directive 2024/1275 forces member states to act by May 2026. Portugal's transposition creates new obligations.

Portugal's Shifting Regulatory Calendar: DL 10/2024, EPBD, and What's Next

Three major regulatory changes in 18 months. A timeline of what's happened, what's pending, and who it affects.

Foreign Owners

1 article

Managing a purchase, renovation, or property you may never see in person before the work is done.

Renovating Remotely: How Foreign Owners Manage Projects They Can't Visit

Staged milestone payments, independent inspections, and English-speaking project management. The tools that exist and the gaps that remain.

AI in Real Estate

1 article

How Portuguese agents and platforms are adapting to new AI competency requirements and tools.

Coming soon

AI Training for Portuguese Agents: Who's Teaching It and Is It Any Good?

From one-day workshops to cohort programmes, a growing industry is forming around AI literacy for real estate professionals.

Renovation Quality

1 article

What separates a renovation that holds up from one that creates new problems, damp, mold, and finish quality included.

Why Mold Shows Up After Renovation (And How to Prevent It)

Mold appearing two to six months after handover is one of the most common calls mold.pt receives. The cause is rarely the building.

Due Diligence

1 article

Reading licenses, registrations, and paperwork correctly before money changes hands.

Coming soon

The Alvará System: What a Contractor's IMPIC License Actually Tells You

Every licensed contractor in Portugal holds an alvará. Here's how to read it, what it covers, and why it's necessary but not sufficient.