Building Your Dream Home in Portugal: A Hard Journey Worth Taking?
Building a house in Portugal can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You can follow our journey on YouTube @thenewbys. If you are looking for contacts or help in building your own home in Portugal, this blog post is going to be really useful.
From stunning landscapes to the charm of Portuguese culture, building your dream home in Portugal allows you to create a bespoke space while enjoying the perks of living in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. Here, I’ll walk you through our experience of building a home in Portugal, highlighting the incredible professionals who made the process smooth and enjoyable.

Choosing the right team
The key to a successful house-building project is assembling the right team of experts. In our case, we were fortunate to collaborate with some of the best professionals in the industry. This happened thanks to a few recommendations from friends, and we definitely fell on our feet.
The beginning: Our solicitor
Buying a property in Portugal is pretty straightforward stuff, or it should be anyway. A lot like buying a house in most parts of the world there are a few hurdles to jump and of course what feels like endless paperwork. Our full blog post about this subject can be found here
Having a trustworthy solicitor on your side while you make the purchase is not a prerequisite, you could buy the property without one if you want, however having Jorge on our side was invaluable, we have used him several times since and frankly he is a rock star. Based in Porto, his email is fjsilva@sar.pt
Our Architect: Eduardo Pinto Silva
Eduardo (Portuguese but English speaking) was the creative behind the design of our home. He took the time to understand our vision and translated it into a design that perfectly fits our needs while respecting the local environment and architectural traditions. He has also been very flexible post-design with changes (some quite large) as we have been building. Patience, they say, is a virtue, and Eduardo has loads of that. He’s a great architect, but he also helped us immensely with organizing all the documents and paperwork we needed to build the house – submitting them to the local authorities for approval and guiding us through the process. The paperwork can be heavy and complicated, so having Eduardo on side was extremely helpful.
If you’re looking for an architect who listens, innovates, and delivers great results, Eduardo is your person. You can reach him at eduardopintosilva@gmail.com for inquiries or to discuss your project.
Our Builders: Escala Nómada Construções
Executing a great design requires skilled builders, and Escala Nómada Construções exceeded all our expectations. Their team so far has been professional, efficient, and meticulous in every detail. We have really enjoyed watching the process, which they have been very happy to share. Onsite every day, rain or shine, they have been great.
Escala Nómada Construções specializes in custom builds and renovations, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and timely delivery. You can contact them via email at escalanomada@gmail.com or by phone at +351 914 741 102.

Navigating the Process
1. Finding the Perfect Plot
The first step is securing a plot of land that suits your needs. Portugal offers diverse options, from coastal views to countryside retreats. Be sure to consider proximity to amenities, accessibility, and zoning laws when making your choice. Zoning laws are tricky, and if you end up in an area like we did which is on an agricultural reserve, you will need additional permits to build. Double, triple check the building regulations for the land you buy. You could be buying a plot, or even a building, that is illegal or impossible to build on.
2. Design and Planning
Working with Eduardo, we ensured our home design met our lifestyle needs while complying with Portuguese building regulations. He helped us navigate the planning permission process, which can be intricate but manageable with the right guidance. He also gave guidance about the existing buildings on our land, ensuring the right demolition would enable us to build a single larger house.
3. Construction
Once the design was approved, Escala Nómada Construções have been working to bring our vision to life. They adhered to the timeline and budget while maintaining great quality standards. Their open communication made the experience stress-free and enjoyable. Most importantly, with our two young boys and a dog living on site so close, they have made the building site safe and tidy at all times.

Why Portugal?
Building a home in Portugal offers numerous benefits:
- Mild Climate: Enjoy year-round sunshine and a comfortable Mediterranean climate.
- Affordable Costs: Compared to other European countries, building costs in Portugal are relatively reasonable. We are looking at about €1000 per sq meter.
- Cultural Richness: From gastronomy to festivals, Portugal’s vibrant culture enhances your living experience.
- Safety and Quality of Life: Portugal consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with a relaxed pace of life.
Final Thoughts
For us, The Newbys, building a home in Portugal has been a journey filled with challenges, learning, and immense satisfaction. Our two young boys, our dog, and the dream of creating a space that feels truly ours have kept us going. The process isn’t always easy, but it’s undeniably worth it. We’re sharing our journey on YouTube @thenewbys to inspire and guide others who might be considering the same adventure.
Here’s to creating a space you’ll cherish forever!
