Renting in Portugal in 2025: What Americans Really Need to Know (That No One Tells You)

Madeira Portugal — To Live In A Dream World - It's Worth The Headaches

By the It’ll Be Fun Team — featuring Claudia from LCL Real Homes

Let’s talk honestly: for many of us Americans moving abroad — especially those of us retiring or taking a big life leap — renting in Portugal is more than just a checklist item for a visa. It’s a wake-up call. A reminder that we haven’t rented in 30 or 40 years (college dorms don’t count), and definitely not in a foreign country, in a foreign language, under foreign systems.

And yet, here we are. Selling our homes, packing a few suitcases, saying goodbye to Costco-sized everything... and realizing: we don’t know what we’re doing. And that’s okay — because we’re here to break it down for you, with the help of Claudia from LCL Real Homes, who stars in our newest video, How to Rent in Lisbon, Porto & Madeira the Right Way (2025).

She’s the expert. But we’re here to give you the real talk — the part that doesn’t make it into the video.

You’re Not in Control — and That’s a Big Shift

If you’ve owned a home for decades, it’s easy to forget how much power you’ve had in the process. You decided when to move, what to upgrade, and how to negotiate. But when it comes to renting in Portugal — especially as a foreigner — that control is suddenly gone.

Here, the owner holds the power. Not you. They decide if they want to rent, when they want to reply (if at all), and who they prefer to rent to. Sometimes, they’ll just go with a local because it’s easier — no paperwork, no taxes, no complications. Other times, they simply don’t need the money. And sometimes they just... disappear.

This can be a real mind-bender for Americans used to fast responses and clear listings. But trust us, it’s not personal. It’s just a different system — one where you don’t get to drive the process. That’s why Claudia’s advice is simple: when you find something decent and legal that works, take it. You’re not looking for your forever home. You just need to get here and get started.

Remember When We Used Newspapers to Find Rentals?

If you’re of a certain age, this will feel familiar — even if it’s been a while.

Back in the day, long before Zillow and apartment-hunting apps, we used to find our rentals in the newspaper. Every Thursday — the last one of the month — we’d grab a paper, go straight to the classified ads, and start circling anything that looked remotely livable and in budget. Then it was a mad dash: making calls, setting up viewings, hoping we’d get picked, and praying we didn’t end up next door to someone nuts.

And yes — that happened.

I once rented a house in Louisville, Kentucky, and the next-door neighbor? She was straight out of a movie. Actually — I swear she inspired the character from Throw Momma from the Train. You remember her? Loud, terrifying, and completely unforgettable. Her grown sons, both of them clearly deep into the beer-and-bad-decisions phase of life, would sit on their porch in filthy recliners, chucking empty cans into my garden. One night, they lit one of the recliners on fire and rolled it into the my garden. And “Momma” herself? Just… horrifying. I lasted exactly one lease term and got out the second I could.

The point is: we didn’t have perfect back then either. We had what was available. We made it work. And we moved on when we needed to.

That’s the mindset you need here. You’re not going to get the Pinterest-perfect rental on Day One. You’re going to get something that’s available, in budget, and legal for your visa. And then? You’ll move again — maybe even buy something when the time is right.

That Dream Apartment Online? It Might Not Even Be Real

One of the most confusing parts for Americans is just how different online listings are in Portugal.

Claudia’s team told us straight: at least 50% of listings you’ll see online aren’t even available anymore. The owners just never took them down. Another chunk of them will vanish on you at the last minute. Why? Someone local showed up with cash. Or they got a better deal. Or the landlord just ghosted.

And agents? Many of them won’t answer email or messages through the rental sites. They get flooded with requests, and they prioritize serious locals or existing clients. Unless you’re working with someone on the ground — like Claudia — it can feel like you’re yelling into the void. And even then it's not a dream process.

That’s why we say: don’t fall in love with a listing. Find something to live in, if it’s available, clean, fits your price, and checks the legal boxes — take it.

Agents Don’t Make Much on Rentals — Most won't Even Try To Find You Something

Another surprise: real estate agents don’t really make much money on rentals. They do it mostly in hopes that you’ll work with them when it’s time to buy. So if someone is helping you with your rental — especially helping from abroad — treat them well. They’re not getting rich off your lease.

Claudia and her team, for example, go way above and beyond because they care about the expat community. But that’s rare. Most agents won’t even try. Her team will help you set up your utilities, find the grocery, get a ride from the airport when you arrive and maybe even leave you a starter basket on the counter like and old fashioned Welcome Wagon.

Here’s What Happened to Us

When we first started looking, we had a list like anyone would:

Ocean views
Furnished
Pet-friendly

What we got was:

Mountain views
Unfurnished
Pet-friendly

And let us tell you — it was one of the best places we’ve ever lived. We didn’t expect it. It wasn’t what we had pictured at all. But it was beautiful, peaceful, and exactly what we needed at the time. If that place had been for sale, we would’ve bought it in a heartbeat.

That’s the twist: you think you know what you want… but sometimes, the thing you didn’t expect ends up being just right.

You Can Live Anywhere for a Year — Even Next Door to “Momma”

This isn’t your forever home. It’s your “get me to Portugal legally and safely” home. You need it to meet the visa requirements, be registered with Finanças, and start your new chapter. But if you drag your feet it can be a real issue. (hint: set up a call with us if this happens we may have an idea up our sleeve.)

Once you’re here, everything changes. You’ll know the neighborhoods better. You’ll understand the rental rhythm. You might even stumble on that perfect little ocean-view gem.

So don’t drag your feet. Don’t wait for perfect. Don’t let indecision ruin your timeline. Just pick something, get here, and trust that the rest will fall into place.

Because you can live anywhere for a year — even next door to Momma.

🎥 Watch the Full Video: Renting In Portugal

“Renting in Portugal 2025: Why It’s So Hard & How to Do It Right”👉 Watch Now on YouTube

Need Help?

📞 Schedule a free discovery call with Claudia from LCL Real Homes.She’ll help you understand your options, line up a rental that works for your visa, and make sure your lease is legally valid and tax-registered.

🧳 Check out our It’ll Be Fun Moving Abroad Program — your full toolkit for moving abroad, from NIFs and rentals to budgeting and community.

We’ve been there. And we’re here to tell you: It'll Be Fun