Buying Property in Portugal: How Long Are Homes Taking to Sell?

What happened

Research published by idealista on 20 October 2026 examines how long residential properties advertised on its platform remained on the market during the third quarter of 2026.

According to the analysis, 12% of properties nationally were reported as sold within seven days.

However, selling times varied considerably, with many properties remaining on the market for several months.

The figures show that while some properties sold within days, 43% remained on the market for more than three months.

What about Lisbon and the surrounding areas?

Lisbon presents a different picture from the national average.

In Lisbon city, 7% of advertised properties were reported as sold within seven days, compared with 12% nationally.

The figures highlight how selling times vary across Portugal, including Lisbon, and why buyers should assess individual properties rather than rely on national averages.

Lisbon also recorded a substantial proportion of properties taking longer to sell, with 42% falling into the three-month-to-one-year category.

These statistics should not be interpreted as evidence of falling prices or weakening demand across Lisbon.

They reflect idealista's advertised-property data, rather than every residential transaction completed in Portugal.

The research does not provide a separate breakdown for Cascais, so it would be misleading to assume that the Lisbon city figures apply directly to the Cascais market.

What this means for international buyers

For buyers relocating to Portugal or purchasing a second home, the findings offer a useful perspective on the different conditions across the property market.

Properties that are realistically priced, well presented and situated in desirable locations may attract interest quickly.

Others can remain available for several months, particularly where asking prices are ambitious or the property requires substantial investment.

There are three practical considerations.

Preparation matters. Buyers should establish their budget, financing arrangements and essential property requirements before beginning a serious search.

Time on the market can provide useful context. A property advertised for several months may warrant a closer examination of its asking price and market positioning. However, a longer marketing period does not necessarily mean the seller will accept a lower offer.

Local knowledge remains important. Lisbon and Cascais contain very different neighbourhoods, property types and price segments. National and district-level statistics cannot replace an assessment of the individual property.

Regardless of how long a property has been advertised, buyers should undertake appropriate legal checks, financing confirmation and property due diligence before committing to a purchase.

My view

When advising property owners, I've always believed that getting the asking price right from the outset is one of the most important decisions in the selling process.

In fact, I personally feel that an attractively and realistically priced property can ultimately achieve a higher sale price for its owner.

The reason is simple. A well-priced property can generate considerable interest as soon as it comes onto the market. When several buyers recognise its value at the same time, that competition can create momentum and, in some cases, effectively lead to a bidding war. The final sale price may even exceed the original asking price.

The opposite approach can be less effective.

Some owners prefer to add an extra 20% to their asking price in the hope that someone will eventually come along and pay it. While that strategy may occasionally work, I believe it often risks achieving the opposite result.

Properties can become stale. Buyers start wondering why a home has been on the market for so long, whether something is wrong with it or whether the seller's expectations are unrealistic.

Meanwhile, the property has lost something valuable: that initial excitement and attention that often comes when a new home first enters the market.

Of course, every property and every seller's circumstances are different. But in my experience, creating genuine interest through realistic pricing is often a better strategy than starting too high and gradually reducing the price.

Sometimes, the best way to achieve a stronger selling price is to start with a more attractive asking price.

Understanding the figures

The research is based on idealista's analysis of residential property advertisements during the third quarter of 2026.

It provides an indication of advertised market activity but should not be treated as an official record of completed property transactions or independently verified deed-to-deed selling times.