🧭 Finding the Right Place: Where to Start
Start with dedicated platforms for finding properties. Some of the most well-known and widely used are:
- Idealista.pt
- Imovirtual
- Uniplaces
- Spotahome
- Inlife Housing
- Flatio
You can also search in Facebook groups dedicated to students or Erasmus communities, but be extra cautious — not all listings in these groups are verified or legitimate.
Additionally, check if you know someone who has already lived in Portugal, especially in the city where you'll be doing your Erasmus. And don’t forget to see if there are student residences in your destination city — they might be a good option for you.
🚩 Warning Signs in Listings
Here are some signs that a listing might be a scam:
- The “owner” claims to be outside of Portugal and cannot show the property.
- An offer with a price that’s too good to be true.
- They ask you to pay upfront (rent or deposit) before you even visit the place.
- They insist on closing the deal quickly, creating a sense of urgency or pressure, even threatening that you’ll lose an “amazing discount.”
- They use untraceable payment methods.
- Listing with vague descriptions.
- They refuse video calls or avoid providing clear information.
- The images look generic or appear in other listings.
🔍 How to Verify if a Listing Is Reliable
Before making any decisions, try to confirm the authenticity of the offer:
- Request an in-person visit or, if you’re not yet in Portugal, a video call.
- Search the address on Google Maps to see if the building or house actually exists.
- Search the name of the landlord, real estate agency, or the company responsible.
- Do a reverse image search on Google to check if the images appear in other listings.
- Compare the price with similar properties in the same area.
- If possible, ask for help from someone who already lives in Portugal or speaks Portuguese.
📄 Rental Contract: An Essential Document
Regardless of the lease duration, always demand a written contract! This document should include, among other things:
- The information of both the landlord and the tenant
- The monthly rent amount and the payment due date
- The contract duration
- The requested security deposit
- Which expenses are (or are not) included
Never provide sensitive personal documents unless there is a clear need for signing a rental contract.
Additionally, it is important for the tenant to have and provide their NIF (tax identification number) so that it is included in the rental contract. This is essential to ensure their rights and protect against any landlord abuses.
If you want to learn more about rental contracts in Portugal, understand some legal limits imposed on landlords, and get to know your rights, click on our article here.
🆔 Why Do You Need a NIF to Rent a Home in Portugal?
For a contract to be unequivocally valid under the law, it must be declared to the Finanças, that is, the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira), and for this, both parties need to have a NIF (tax identification number).
For this reason, it’s very important that you obtain your portuguese NIF — you can even do this before you start searching for housing or arrive in Portugal. If you don’t have your NIF yet, the good news is that NIF4Erasmus takes care of everything for you, 100% online, offering the simplest and most accessible process on the market.
To learn more about the importance of the NIF when signing your rental contract, check out our article.
🎓 You’re Not Alone!
If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to seek help:
- Universities have support offices for international students.
- There are Erasmus groups, student associations, and forums with useful tips.
- NIF4Erasmus is available to guide you legally with practical information and personalized support tailored to your needs. Get in touch!
✅ Key Takeaways
Finding a house or room in Portugal can seem complicated at first, but with the right information and caution, it’s perfectly possible to avoid scams.
Remember: be wary of rushing, check everything you can, and always ask for a legal rent receipt. And, of course, make sure you get your NIF sorted from the start — it’s the key to formalizing everything safely.
