Buying Property in Portugal

They bought a home in Portugal on their first visit

Portugal was never really part of Donna and Steve’s plan.

The UK couple had previously owned a home in Turkey, but after selling it, buying another overseas property was far from certain. Then a visit to A Place in the Sun Live in Birmingham changed everything.

Simple Life Home Buyers Steve and Donna, from the UK, purchased a new-build villa in Nazaré after visiting A Place in the Sun Live

During a seminar about Portugal’s Silver Coast, they heard our property consultant Denise Vieira speak about her hometown, Nazaré, and the region’s climate, culture and lifestyle.

Denise Vieira from Portugal Realty at one of the Portugal Seminars held at A Place in the Sun Live shows in the UK

“We both looked at each other, and there was that sort of light bulb: ooh, this sounds like it could be for us,” Donna recalls.

After the seminar, they spoke with our team and later continued their research from home. A virtual tour with our property consultant Almiro introduced them to different locations and available properties, giving them the confidence to book a trip to Portugal.

By the second day of their first visit, they had committed to buying a new-build villa near Nazaré.

Donna and Steve recently sat down with our Sales Director and podcast host Dylan Herholdt at our office in São Martinho do Porto to share their property journey in another episode of My Home in Portugal. This is their story…

Sales Director Dylan Herholdt with clients Steve and Donna in front of Portugal Realty’s office in São Martinho do Porto, Silver Coast, Portugal

Finding more than a property

Donna and Steve deliberately visited the Silver Coast in January to experience it in winter. What they discovered exceeded their expectations.

Aerial view of Nazaré beach on Portugal’s famous Silver Coast

The food, wine and history impressed them, but so did the welcome they received from local people. “It felt very welcoming, and that really made the difference for us,” Steve says.

Community was important, but they also wanted space and tranquillity. They found that balance in Famalicão, a traditional Portuguese village between Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto.

After viewing different properties and locations, they arrived at a development of new-build villas in a small traditional village two minutes from the ocean. The setting offered the balance they had been looking for: village life, countryside views and easy access to Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto.

Then Steve walked into the villa.

“When I saw that place, I was like, yeah, I could see myself here.”

Donna and Steve bought a new-build home in Famalicão, a village between Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto.

Their new-build villa sits on the edge of the village, surrounded by countryside yet within walking distance of the village centre. This location offers a quieter residential setting while keeping beaches, restaurants, historic towns, and everyday amenities within easy reach.

Buying a new-build home from the UK

Their villa was still under construction when Donna and Steve committed to buying it. Returning to the UK meant they needed someone in Portugal to help monitor progress, communicate with the developer and guide them through decisions.

Because they purchased a SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER property, Client Navigator Carolina Coelho became their dedicated point of contact throughout the project-management phase.

What does a Client Navigator do?

For SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER properties purchased through Portugal Realty, the Client Navigator forms part of the SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER system.

Their role is designed to provide international buyers with a single point of contact during the project management phase.

The Client Navigator represents the buyer when dealing with the developer, follows progress, and helps maintain communication while the client is abroad.

For buyers like Donna and Steve, who were continuing their normal working lives in another country, this meant they did not have to personally manage every detail from the UK.

“It's absolutely invaluable to have somebody on the ground here,” Donna says.

Carolina helped them with decisions such as choosing finishes and was there when the finished property was handed over.

“We were so thrilled with it. Really, it was a ‘pinch me’ moment,” Donna says.

Donna and Steve’s new-build villa in Nazaré, Portugal, featuring modern architecture and a private pool

Steve was equally impressed by the quality and simplicity of the process.

“We literally were told this is what will happen by when, and it happened, and there was never any problem.”

Steve and Donna at their new villa in Portugal and details of the construction, accompanied by the Simple Life Home Buyer programme and the team at Portugal Realty

Their advice to other international buyers

Looking back, Donna and Steve believe having the right support was essential.

“I'm not sure how we would have done it on our own,” Donna admits.

Steve’s advice to anyone considering buying property in Portugal is equally straightforward: “Work with the right people.”

Their new home now puts Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto and some of the Silver Coast’s most popular historic towns and beaches within easy reach, while giving them the quieter village lifestyle they wanted.

They are already getting to know their neighbours and local community, and Steve has found a café where he can practise his Portuguese.

Most importantly, life feels different.

“I'm surprised just how quickly we've been able to get into the slow lane,” Steve says.

And it all started with a seminar about a part of Portugal they had barely considered.

Steve and Donna’s villa is just 5 minutes from the historic fishing village of Nazaré, famous for its traditional wooden fishing boats, the seven skirts of the beach women, and the giant waves of the North Canyon

> See Property for Sale in Nazaré

Watch Donna and Steve’s full
My Home in Portugal story

Thinking about buying property in Portugal?

You do not need to know exactly where in Portugal you want to live before starting the conversation. Donna and Steve certainly didn’t.

Their journey began with questions, research, and an open mind. It eventually led them to a region of Portugal they had never heard of and a home they could see becoming part of their retirement.

At Portugal Realty, we help international buyers explore the opportunities available and understand the property-buying journey from the beginning. Whether you are considering retirement in Portugal, relocating, or searching for a second home, the first step is understanding what will work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Property in Portugal from Abroad

Where are the best places to buy property on Portugal’s Silver Coast?

Portugal’s Silver Coast offers a mix of coastal towns, traditional villages and countryside locations. Areas around Nazaré and São Martinho do Porto are popular with international buyers looking for village life and countryside while remaining close to beaches, restaurants and everyday amenities. With the assistance of Portugal Realty’s team of property sales consultants, overseas buyers can explore different locations before finding the community and property that feels right for their lifestyle and future retirement plans.

How can overseas UK buyers discover the right area of Portugal to buy property?

International property shows such as A Place in the Sun Live are a great way for UK buyers to discover different regions of Portugal and learn more about the property market, lifestyle and local communities. Portugal seminars and conversations with property specialists can also introduce buyers to popular regions, such as the Silver Coast. Before travelling to Portugal, Portugal Realty helps UK buyers explore different locations, understand their property options and narrow their search through personalised online consultations and virtual property tours, which can be booked directly through our website.

What precautions should I take when buying a new-build property in Portugal from abroad?

One of the most important steps is choosing experienced professionals with a proven track record of supporting international buyers. Look beyond promises: check independent testimonials, previous client experiences, and evidence of successfully completed property purchases. Portugal Realty has helped hundreds of international clients buy homes in Portugal, with many sharing their experiences on the ‘My Home in Portugal’ episodes of Portugal The Simple Life podcast. These real buyer stories offer valuable insight into the process and show why trust, regular communication and experienced support on the ground can be especially important when buying a new-build property from abroad.

How can I manage the purchase of a new-build villa in Portugal from abroad?

A new-build property purchase can be managed remotely with local support in Portugal. Through the SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER system, a Client Navigator provides photographs, progress updates, and regular communication through channels such as Zoom and WhatsApp. This ongoing support through Portugal Realty and the SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER means international buyers can remain involved in their new home while continuing their lives abroad.

What does a Client Navigator do when buying a new-build property in Portugal?

A Client Navigator provides Simple Life Home Buyers with a consistent point of contact during the project-management stage. Their role includes maintaining communication with the developer and keeping overseas buyers informed as construction progresses. For Portugal Realty clients who purchase new-build property, the Client Navigator becomes a trusted point of contact on the ground, helping with things such as choosing finishes and the final property handover.

What is the Simple Life Home Buyer system?

The SIMPLE LIFE HOME BUYER system is a complete property solution exclusive to the Leisure Launch – Portugal Property Group. It brings together real estate, project management, certification and utilities, home décor and furniture, accounting and tax, property management, and holiday home rental services under the same trusted organisation. Portugal Realty provides the real estate expertise within this structured approach to buying and owning a home in Portugal.