North Portugal growing in luxury real estate
Data published by Engel & Völkers’ Market Report Portugal 2025-2026 reveals that the Minho region has consistently evolved in the premium segment of the real estate market.
According to the study, Minho has a strong demand for luxury properties, especially exclusive villas with outdoor areas, swimming pools, and high-quality construction.
Among cities in the region, Guimarães leads Minho’s average selling price at €1,728/m², up 1.8% from the previous year.
Regarding Braga, another Minho city that helped consolidate the region as a premium real estate destination, it presented an average price of €1,704/m².
International demand
International demand represents 95% of luxury villa purchases in the region. According to the study, 95% of premium housing transactions were carried out by foreign clients, mainly British, who prioritise properties with terraces, gardens and swimming pools, based on a logic of quality of life, privacy and well-being.
The demand for premium properties in the Minho region is focused on contemporary villas with gardens, swimming pools, and attractive views, especially from international buyers who prioritise privacy, outdoor space, and quality of life. In the apartment segment, modern layouts with balconies, good sun exposure, and central locations stand out.
Sought-after areas
Among the most sought-after areas are exclusive residential areas in Braga, such as Fraião, Nogueiró, Lamaçães, and Gualtar, due to their proximity to services, schools, green spaces, and accessibility. In Guimarães, the Historic Centre, the Couros area, and more exclusive residential areas on the outskirts of the city continue to attract a significant portion of buyers.
The report also highlights the robustness of the Minho real estate market, with Braga consolidating itself as one of the country’s main technological and economic hubs, driven by the University of Minho, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), and the growth of innovation, engineering, and technology clusters. Meanwhile, Guimarães is reinforcing its attractiveness through the enhancement of its historical heritage and urban rehabilitation associated with its UNESCO status.
The residential market is also showing clear signs of sustained appreciation. In Braga, the median sales value reached €1,900/m² in the third quarter of 2025, while in Guimarães it increased by over 20% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching €1,545/m².
According to Christopher Diener, License Partner at Engel & Völkers Minho, “Minho has been establishing itself as an increasingly relevant alternative in the premium segment in Portugal. Today we are witnessing a much more qualified demand, focused not only on investment, but above all on the quality of life, privacy and authenticity that cities like Braga and Guimarães can offer. The luxury market in the region is more sophisticated, with international buyers who value exclusive, well-located properties prepared for a contemporary lifestyle.”
The report also states that approximately 95% of housing transactions were carried out without recourse to bank credit, while in renovation and construction segments, the investment was made entirely with one’s own capital.
In short, the Market Report Portugal 2025-2026 confirms that the Minho region will continue to consolidate itself as one of the most promising premium residential markets in Portugal, as the numbers demonstrate.
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