Portugal home price gap and Sardinia €15,000 relocation grant spotlight housing market

In Portugal, an analysis of recent sales data shows that, on average, buying a detached house costs €190,000 less than an equivalent apartment. The gap varies widely by region and property type: in urban and tourist markets such as Madeira, the Algarve and Lisbon the difference can exceed €250,000, while in interior districts like Coimbra and Castelo Branco houses are cheaper by up to €165,000. Smaller‑type houses (T1‑T3) show the greatest price advantage over apartments, and while house prices rose about 7 % year‑on‑year, apartment prices grew only 2.3 %.

The autonomous region of Sardinia, Italy, is offering a grant of up to €15,000 to people who purchase or renovate a first‑time home in villages with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. The subsidy covers up to 50 % of eligible costs, must be repaid if the buyer leaves within five years, and is open to non‑Italian residents as well. The program, launched in 2022 with €45 million and renewed with additional funding, aims to curb depopulation of rural communities.