Portugal: The Portuguese real estate balance sheet for the first quarter of 2016

The French became the first foreign customer of Portugal, beating the British and Chinese, according to figures released by the APEMIP (Association of professionals in Portuguese Real Estate).

According to APEMIP, foreign investment represents 20% of real estate transactions in the first quarter of 2016. There is a decrease of 3% compared to 2014. However this decrease actually reveals a significant recovery of the Portuguese national market.

During the first quarter, approximately 27% of real estate transactions were conducted with French (an increase of 11 points compared to 2014). Followed far behind by the British with 18% and Chinese with 13% of transactions. At the bottom come the Brazilians with 8% and Belgium with 5% of transactions. Other nationalities are less significant.

According to the study, Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve continues to be the most popular destinations for investors.

The president of the APEMIP, Mr. Luis Lima, explained that geographically, English investment remains very focused on the Algarve, the Chinese are more attracted to Lisbon and modern district (Parque das Nações), then the French according to their profile (investors, pensioners, others ..), the investment distribution is more heterogeneous, although it remains focused mainly on regions of Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.

Mr. LIMA also highlights an increase in Belgian and Swedish request. These two countries seem indeed be positively influenced by the growth of the French investment in the Portuguese territory.