More people are working in construction in Portugal. In the second quarter of 2026, the sector employed 400,400 people — its highest level since 2011 and 11.2% more than a year earlier.

There is also a sign of growth in housing: the number of new homes approved rose by 4% in the first half of the year. That figure needs some context, however. Fewer building permits were issued over the same period, meaning that each permit covered more homes on average.

For anyone looking for a home, the question is straightforward: when will this activity result in homes they can buy? Considerable time can pass between approval, construction and the handover of the keys. National figures also cannot tell us how many of those future homes will be in the right location, offer the right layout or fall within a particular family’s budget.

Costs are another factor. In June 2026, the cost of building a new home was 7.2% higher than in the same month a year earlier. This puts pressure on project budgets, although it does not mean that sale prices will rise by the same amount.

At LERKEN, we believe these figures become useful when we connect them to the decisions people actually face. Someone looking for a home in Braga, Guimarães or Vila Verde needs to understand what is available, when a property is expected to be ready and how the total cost fits their budget and plans.
Greater activity in construction is a meaningful sign. For each person searching for a home, the next step is to understand what is available now, what is being built and what makes sense for their stage of life.

Source: AICCOPN — Construction Sector Report, August 2026, published on 16 September 2026.