Portugal has ramped up its international outreach to attract Asian capital into its real estate sector by presenting a wide selection of investment opportunities at the Singapore Property Expo 2025, held from July 12 to July 14, 2025, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The event served as a premier platform for showcasing Portugal’s residential and commercial properties to high-net-worth investors and institutions from across Asia, particularly Singapore, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
A New Wave of Asian Interest in Europe
The 2025 edition of the Singapore Expo attracted over 30,000 attendees, including private investors, fund managers, developers, and global real estate firms. Portugal’s presence — coordinated by AICEP Portugal Global, APEMIP (Association of Real Estate Professionals and Companies of Portugal), and major national developers — focused on promoting properties in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Cascais, and emerging inland regions.
According to Confidencial Imobiliário, over 16% of prime real estate transactions in Portugal in 2024 involved Asian buyers — a figure expected to rise in 2025–2026, given increased global mobility and sustained demand for European residency options.
Property Highlights Presented
The Portuguese delegation featured a carefully curated portfolio, emphasizing:
- Luxury apartments in Lisbon and Porto priced from €450,000
- Oceanfront villas in the Algarve, ranging from €600,000 to €2 million
- Short-term rental opportunities in Cascais and Setúbal, offering 6–8% annual gross returns
- Commercial assets in logistics parks and tourism zones, starting at €750,000
- Sustainable developments in Alentejo and Central Portugal, from €300,000
These properties were positioned as offering both capital appreciation and eligibility for residency pathways through non-residential investment structures.
Portugal’s Golden Visa: What’s Still Possible
Although Portugal officially phased out the Golden Visa program for residential real estate in major urban centers in 2023, alternative routes to residency were a major focus at the expo. Legal and real estate advisors outlined the current investment routes that still qualify for a residence permit:
- Minimum €500,000 investment in commercial or tourism projects
- Participation in regulated real estate investment funds
- Property purchases in low-density areas or autonomous regions (e.g., the Azores), starting from €280,000
These pathways drew particular attention from Chinese, Hong Kong, and Vietnamese investors seeking European access and long-term relocation options for themselves or their families.
Competitive Advantages of the Portuguese Market
At the expo, Portugal was positioned as a safe and resilient investment destination, offering unique benefits in the current geopolitical and economic climate. Representatives from AICEP emphasized:
- High rental yields in Lisbon and Porto (5–7% average)
- Affordable prices compared to Western European capitals — €3,000/m² on average
- Tax incentives for foreign residents, such as the NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime
- Thriving tourism industry, driving demand for short-term rentals
- Stable long-term capital growth, averaging 9.3% annually since 2020
Portugal also ranks high in international safety indexes, quality of healthcare and education, and climate — key factors for lifestyle-driven investors and expat families.
Market Outlook and Price Trends
As of July 2025, real estate prices in Portugal are as follows (average €/m²):
- Lisbon: €4,800
- Porto: €3,600
- Algarve: €3,200
- Interior regions: from €1,500
- Azores and Madeira: €1,200–1,800
Forecasts for 2026 suggest continued growth at 5–6% annually, especially in Cascais, Sintra, Braga, and coastal zones of the Lisbon Riviera. Additionally, island regions like the Azores are gaining popularity due to their lower entry prices and growing tourism infrastructure.
PropTech and Remote Investment Tools
Asian investors responded enthusiastically to the digital-first platforms Portugal showcased, such as Casafari, Smartex, and Reental, which enable seamless remote property acquisition, legal compliance, and rental management. These solutions support fully digital investment journeys, allowing buyers to invest from abroad without visiting Portugal physically.
With growing interest in fractional ownership and tokenized assets, Portugal’s real estate industry is aligning with international investor expectations in flexibility and transparency.
Feedback from the Expo Floor
Pedro Monteiro of APEMIP shared:
“Participating in Singapore Property Expo helps Portugal tap into one of the most financially sophisticated regions in the world. Asian investors value legal clarity, tax structure, and lifestyle upside — we offer all three.”
Investor Anita Cheng from Hong Kong added:
“Portugal strikes a balance between lifestyle and return. I found excellent short-term rental options and I’m considering a long-term relocation in the next decade.”
Conclusion
Portugal’s presentation at Singapore Property Expo 2025 (July 12–14) confirms its growing visibility among Asian investors and reaffirms its strategic position as a gateway to European real estate. With strong fundamentals, improved digital access, and alternative paths to residency, the country remains highly competitive on the global investment stage.
In the years ahead, further growth in Asian capital inflow is expected to shape Portugal’s real estate landscape — not just in Lisbon and Porto, but also in secondary cities and emerging eco-regions — offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for both financial and lifestyle-focused buyers.
