🏗️ The Secret to Affordable Homes in Portugal? Think Outside the Apartment Box

Happy Sunday, friends! 🌞

Big news on property: according to The Portugal News, Portugal is on track to see the largest increase in real estate transactions ever. The market is buzzing, and if you’re wondering how on earth you’re supposed to hop onto this bullet train, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Today’s feature, thanks to our friends at FRESH Properties and FRESH Portugal, is all about a clever workaround: converting commercial property into your dream home. With new rules and less red tape, this might just be the affordable (and creative) solution you’ve been looking for.

Of course, trading roosters and barking dogs for midnight street festivals might not be everyone’s idea of an upgrade… but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when choosing your future “shop-turned-sanctuary.”

And don’t miss next week’s Hustle Light edition! We’re back with something fun, including a hidden gem you’ll want on your radar and a few more surprises. Stay tuned!

What’s on the menu today:

🍷Sip, Stroll, Celebrate — the events you don’t want to miss this month

🏨 From Shopfront to Sanctuary — how to turn commercial spaces into dream homes

🗣 DIY in Portuguese?! — the phrases you’ll actually need for your renovation

Ready? Let’s dive in, shall we!

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Torre dos Clérigos is a striking 18th-century Baroque bell tower in Porto, Portugal, designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. Standing 75 meters tall, it was the city’s tallest building upon its completion in 1763 and remains a symbol of Porto today. Visitors can climb the 225 steps for stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Douro River, making it a must-see landmark in Porto’s historic center.

Shawn Mendes (28 August, Lisbon): will be performing his "On The Road Again" tour at the MEO Arena in Lisbon on August 28, 2025. This concert celebrates 10 years of his career with a setlist covering hits from his debut album to his latest release, "Shawn."

Rockin’1000 (6 September, Leiria), known as the “biggest rock band in the world,” is returning to Leiria on September 6, bringing together 1,000 musicians from all over the globe to perform iconic rock anthems at the Estádio Municipal.

Festas do Mar – Cascais 2025 (August 28 - September 7): this beloved summer festival lights up Baía de Cascais with nightly free concerts, artisan markets, street food, and cultural exhibitions.

Madeira Wine Festival (August 24 - September 14): Madeira will be celebrating its grape harvest with one of the island’s most iconic events, blending centuries-old wine traditions with modern flair.

Portimão Food Trucks Market (28-31 August): For four evenings, the Portimão waterfront will become a lively outdoor food court with creative food trucks, regional producers, music, and social spaces.

BREW! Coimbra (12-14 September, Coimbra): an annual craft beer festival held in Verd’O Parque, Coimbra, showcasing more than 200 beers from dozens of Portuguese and international breweries. Festival-goers can enjoy tastings, exclusive launches, street food, live music, workshops, games, and a vibrant community spirit in an open-air, pet-friendly venue, making it a true celebration of culture, creativity, and beer in the heart of Portugal.

Vindouro – Festa Pombalina (4-7 September, Douro): a lively annual celebration held in São João da Pesqueira, the heart of Portugal’s Douro wine region, merging the rich traditions of regional winemaking with 18th-century pomp. This festival transforms the historic town into a vibrant stage with over one hundred wine producers offering tastings, a bustling Pombaline market, reenactments in period costume, open-air concerts, and a grand themed dinner—immersing visitors in the culture, flavors, music, and history of the Douro Valley.

Dias Medievais in Castro Marim, Faro District (27-31 August): now in its 26th edition, this event is considered one of Portugal’s most impressive medieval festivals. During this event, the Castro Marim Castle and the entire village transform into a lively medieval setting, featuring kings, queens, knights, jesters, tournaments, street theatre, banquets, medieval music, and a bustling market with handicrafts and traditional goods.

Cerco de Almeida (Siege of Almeida) Almeida, District of Guarda (29-31 August): is a major historical reenactment held in the fortified town of Almeida, commemorating the dramatic 1810 siege during the third French invasion of the Peninsular War.

I know more people renovating homes in Portugal than I ever did back home. At first, I thought it was just the spirit of adventure. Something about all of us wanderers who pack up and move to foreign lands. But the longer I’ve been here, the more I’ve realised: most renovations aren’t born out of wanderlust, they’re born out of necessity.

With prices climbing higher every year, many budgets only stretch far enough for… well, what looks suspiciously like a haunted house. And if you’ve felt like throwing in the towel on finding a home in Portugal that won’t strain your marriage for the next five years, then today’s article is for you.

Our friends at FRESH Properties and FRESH Portugal are walking us through a creative solution you may not have considered before: converting commercial spaces into residential homes. I’m really excited about this one, and if you know someone else house-hunting in Portugal, why not share it with them too?

Alright, let’s hand things over to the experts…

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If you’ve been watching Portugal’s property market, you’ll know that affordable housing is getting harder to find, especially in hotspots like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Prices have rocketed in recent years, and so the demand for more affordable homes is high. But there’s a savvy workaround that investors, developers, and property owners are exploring: converting commercial property into homes for residential use.

It’s legal.

It’s faster than before.

And thanks to recent government reforms, it might just be your ticket to owning a home in a great location, without the price tag of a fully licensed apartment.

You might have heard about Portugal’s "Mais Habitação" (More Housing) initiative. One of the most impactful parts? The Simplex Licensing Program; a government push to slash red tape and speed up housing development in a bid to try and meet the increased demand for housing in Portugal. Watch Fresh Portugal’s video about it here: The CHEAPEST Way to Buy a Home in Portugal

Here’s what’s changed:

Yes, really! If the council doesn’t get back to you within the set deadline (20 to 120 working days, depending on your project), your application is considered approved. That's called tacit approval.

The results? After a slow Q1 in 2024, housing approvals surged by 86% compared to last year. And that’s only the beginning.

You might not be a developer, but if you’re an expat living here, or planning your move, this opens up a whole new set of options:

Here’s a breakdown of how to go from shopfront to sanctuary:

As part of the new regulations, you no longer need permission from other owners if the property is within a condominium, so you can go ahead with making the licence conversion. However, it’s always advisable to be transparent with your neighbor about your plans, for your own sake if you intend to live there, or for your tenants/buyers if you’re making the conversion as part of an investment project.

But the upside? Location, customization, and potential equity gains. It’s a good opportunity for investors and developers, as well as individual property owners. If all due diligence has been done, the process should run smoothly.

Reference - Fresh Portugal Article: The secret to BUYING A CHEAP HOME in Portugal - converting commercial property to residential

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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]

Thinking about renovating in Portugal, or maybe turning an old shop into your dream home? Then you’re going to love this video lesson!

In “Practical Tips! DIY in Portuguese! (How to Handle your Handyman!)”, Lisbon-based teacher Liz Sharma shares the must-know European Portuguese phrases and vocab that will save your sanity when it comes to home projects here.

From saying “I want to renovate my kitchen” to asking for quotes, describing that weird rattle in your washing machine, negotiating prices, and dealing with the charming quirks of Portuguese buildings (hello, crumbly walls), Liz has you covered. She mixes in real-life examples—plus a few of her own renovation mishaps—so you can learn how to actually get stuff done without the usual language headache.

Perfect if you’re an expat, future homeowner, or just braving the joys of DIY in Portugal.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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