Building or buying a house in Portugal is a complex, bureaucratic, time-consuming and expensive process. It is worth considering the alternative of a prefabricated or mobile home, as it is cheaper, easier and without a lot of paperwork.

No legal procedures or bureaucracy required

The first thing you need to know is that no building licensing or bureaucracy is required when the prefabricated, modular or mobile home has no incorporation into the land. That is, the house should be on top of the land without foundations buried in the ground; and it should not have fixed and permanent connections to water or electricity systems buried in the land.

Despite this is Portuguese law, local authorities and government entities intend to maintain bureaucratic control in their jurisdiction, making incorrect institutional communications, so as to suggest that licensing and bureaucracy is compulsory for all houses without exception, including prefabricated or mobile homes.

So that there is no doubts, Portuguese law allows prefabricated or mobile homes without any bureaucracy or licensing, as long as there is no fixed connection to the ground.

No need to pay any building fees or taxes

In Portugal, prefabricated houses with no fixed connection to the ground do not require the payment of any fees for their placement on the land. This allows an huge amount of money to be saved. On the opposite, traditionally built houses require the payment of large amounts of money to the Town Hall and other entities.

A possible selection of any plot of land

Prefabricated or mobile homes with no fixed connection to the ground can be placed and used on any plot of land in the country. This type of house is not restricted by the legal limitations of land use planning. Therefore, these houses can be placed on all land, even where the construction of buildings is not allowed.

In Portugal, plots of land on which building is not allowed by law are substantially cheaper than plots of land on which building permits are allowed. If you opt for a prefabricated or mobile home with no fixed connection to the ground, you can buy or rent a much cheaper plot of land, often with better landscaping.

Quality, comfort and luxury

Currently, there is an enormous variety of options for prefabricated or mobile homes of high quality, comfort and aesthetics on the Portuguese market. In the past, prefabricated houses were synonymous with simple and small boxes without durability and comfort.

In recent years, with new materials and new techniques, there are options on the market with varied aesthetics, different sizes, fully equipped and with every comfort. There are prefabricated houses with an interior area of around 300 square meters.

You can choose to buy a house with a pre-designed project or a house planned entirely to your personal requirements and needs. Everything can be planned and designed according to the owner’s style, including luxury and comfort details, such as the installation of a fireplace, Jacuzzi, solarium, among others.

Ecologically sustainable and zero carbon footprint

Due to the recent development of this type of houses, there is a huge concern for opting for construction materials that are less wasteful, recyclable or bio-degradable. Engineers are also looking for the most energy efficient use possible. Low energy consumption is pursued, looking to maximum solar exposure of the house, rainwater use, reuse of clean water, etc.

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You want to know more about what Portugal has to offer and you are interested in living in Portugal, Livout can provide you with personalized advice. Please contact us.