💧 Humidity Happens. Here’s How To Stay Ahead of It

Happy Sunday, amigos! 🌞

Christmas is somehow only 39 days away. Shocked? Same here. It sneaks up on me every year, but last night as we drove through our little town admiring the sparkly lights and decorations, my family and I agreed on one thing. Christmas in winter really is next-level. If you didn’t grow up in the Southern Hemisphere this probably isn’t a big surprise, but for us there’s something magical about being cosy indoors with the tree lit up and the fireplace going.

Of course, winter in Portugal brings along an unwelcome houseguest: humidity, and its best friend mould. Even though we’ve taken more precautions each year, I’ve already found myself spraying down corners of the house. Some homes struggle more than others, and the secrets hiding in the walls during those sunny summer viewings can come back to haunt you in December. That’s why I asked the expert team at Fresh Properties to share their insights on how to spot humidity issues when viewing a home, and how to manage them if you’re already living with them.

Next week we have an early Hustle Lite edition on the way, where we round up all the must-see Christmas markets this season with help from our travel expert Marga from Discover Portugal.

And also coming up next weekend: if you’ve been wondering how American investors are navigating Portugal’s Golden Visa landscape, keep an eye out. We’ll be featuring a brand-new Golden Visa fund designed exclusively for U.S. citizens. It’s the first of its kind in Portugal and already covered in Newsweek, Forbes, and more. It’s an exciting development, and I can’t wait to share the details with you.

What’s on the menu today:

• ❓ the important question we missed in last week’s survey

• ⚠ humidity and mould, and how to deal with it

• 🗣 a mini lesson from our favorite language teacher, Mia Esmeriz

Let’s dive in, shall we?

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The region hosts unique activities like sunset cocktail hours, wine tasting beneath the stars, night walks, moonlit horseback excursions, and luxury accommodations with rooftop terraces designed for sky observation.

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Last week brought in some fascinating answers from our Health & Wellness survey. But before we jump into the next instalment of our Portugal Expat Life survey series, I want to give a big thank you to the lovely reader who spotted an important question we accidentally left out. 🙌

You were absolutely right: knowing which healthcare system expats actually use in Portugal is important data. So we’re doing a quick poll right here to fill that gap.

And if you haven’t taken the full survey yet, I’d be so grateful if you did. Every response helps shape the ultimate newcomers’ guide we’re building together. 💛

Thank you for taking part on these surveys and sharing your expat experience! I can’t wait for the big reveal coming up in December! 🎉

It’s back… the terminator a.k.a. mould.

Wherever you are in Portugal, I doubt you’ve escaped the downpours over the last few weeks. And with that comes the dreaded wet walls and mould.

To help us stay sane this winter, I asked our friends at Fresh Properties to break down what every expat should know. From spotting hidden humidity issues before you rent or buy, to what to do when you’re already moved in and the walls start getting damp and fluffy, this article delivers.

So without fluffing things up further, let’s hand it over to the experts:

🏡

When you picture life in Portugal, it’s usually sunshine, sea breezes, and charming houses with terracotta roofs. What you might not expect is Portugal’s most stubborn houseguest: humidity.

Moisture in homes is so common here that many locals barely notice it, but for expats, it can come as a shock. Part of the problem is that many Portuguese houses; especially older ones, have little or no heating. In winter, it’s not unusual for the temperature indoors to be just as cold as, or even colder than, outside. When warm, humid air meets those chilly walls, condensation forms, and mould quickly follows.

Left unchecked, humidity leads to peeling paint, musty smells, and sometimes expensive repairs. The good news? With some foresight, you can spot the warning signs early and manage the risks before they become a costly headache.

Portugal’s climate makes damp a regular part of homeownership. Coastal areas and the north are especially affected, but even inland, cool winters and poorly insulated homes can trap moisture indoors.

Older stone houses are notorious for it: thick walls hold the cold, ventilation is limited, and condensation builds up. Even newer properties aren’t immune if ventilation hasn’t been planned properly.

The result? Mould in corners, stained ceilings, warped woodwork, and that telltale musty smell. It’s not just a cosmetic issue, long-term damp can harm both your property value and your health.

Humidity problems are rarely hidden if you know the signs. Look out for:

If you notice any of these, assume moisture is an ongoing issue, and not a one-off.

Some damp problems aren’t obvious during a quick viewing. To go deeper, consider:

These steps can help you avoid costly surprises later and, depending on the findings and quotes you collect, can also strengthen your position during purchase negotiations.

If you do buy a property with humidity (and most homes in Portugal have some degree of it), there are simple ways to manage it:

In Portugal, damp isn’t unusual, it’s normal. The locals can teach us a few simple habits make a big difference:

These small steps, paired with dehumidifiers or ventilation systems if needed, go a long way to keeping mould at bay.

Buying a home in Portugal is an exciting journey, but overlooking humidity can quickly turn charm into challenge. By knowing what to look for, and asking the right questions, you’ll avoid nasty surprises and keep your new home healthy and comfortable.

At Fresh Properties, we help expats navigate these practical realities of Portuguese homes so you can focus on what really matters: finding the right property for your new life.

🏡

With thanks to our collaborator, Stephanie Box, Real Estate Consultant at FRESH Properties, for her valuable insights and contributions to this article.

For more information on all things property, you can reach out to Stephanie via email below. Alternatively, WhatsApp the surprisingly helpful AI Estate Agent, Pedro, for real-time answers to your questions.

📧 Email: [email protected]

If you want to say “Did someone ask about me?” in European Portuguese, you can use this phrase:

👉 “Alguém perguntou por mim?”

It’s a very natural expression you’ll hear in everyday situations, for example, when you return to work after being away or join a group after missing a meeting.

In Portuguese, perguntar por alguém means “to ask about someone,” and you can adapt it easily:

Simple, useful, and something you’ll hear often in daily life.

🗣 For more everyday Portuguese tips, Mia offers a free starter course to help you learn the basics of the language.

💡 Mia from Mia Esmeriz Academy is a Portuguese teacher from Porto with more than 15 years of experience teaching foreigners. She helps expats become fluent in Portuguese in a clear and practical way. Alongside her courses, she also shares free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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