The best Blue Flag beaches and properties in Portugal in 2022
The beaches and marinas of Portugal have received 431 Blue Flags in 2022 — the award is given to places with the cleanest water, comfortable and safe for recreation. Most of these beaches were in the southern region of Portugal — the Algarve.
Investors buy commercial real estate in the Algarve in order to obtain a residence permit in Portugal and receive passive rental income. The Algarve is a popular area for tourists.
Author •Vladlena Baranova
The best Blue Flag beaches and properties in Portugal in 2022
The Algarve received 86 Blue Flag awards in 2022, more than any other region in Portugal. The Blue Flag was awarded to 82 beaches and four marinas — in Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura.
The Algarve is an almost continuous strip of beaches that stretches from east to west from Monte Gordo to Lagos. The main resorts are located in Albufeira, Portimão, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Monte Gordo, Lagos and Tavira.
The Blue Flag award is presented annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Algarve Blue Flag beaches in 2022
Source: Portugal Resident
Five profitable properties in the Algarve
Portugal is considered one of the most popular European countries for travelers. From January to March 2022, more than 1.7 million tourists visited Portugal.
If an investor invests in tourist real estate in the Algarve, he will be able to receive income from renting out the object — up to 5% per annum. The region has a warm climate, tourists rest in the Algarve even in the off-season, so real estate is in demand all year round.
When buying real estate in the amount of €250,000, the investor can obtain a residence permit in Portugal.
Real estate prices are developed from the object: in non-tourist cities, it is possible to buy an apartment two or three times cheaper than in Porto and Lisbon.
Apartments in a hotel complex
Area — from 66 m²
Cost — from €534,000
Profitability — 4% per annum
Location — Faro
Faro is the southernmost Portuguese city and the administrative center of the Algarve. Faro is home to one of the three international airports in Portugal. It receives flights from European countries and local cities.
An investor can buy an apartment in a hotel complex in the Quinta do Lago resort. The hotel consists of 130 privately owned apartments ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, a spacious balcony or terrace, a fully equipped kitchen and dedicated parking spaces.
The investor will be able to spend up to 12 weeks a year in the apartment, even during the high season from June to September. The rest of the time the apartments will be rented out.
Share in the hotel complex on the ocean coast
Cost — €280,000
Location — Lagos
Investors can purchase a share in a new hotel complex, which is located in the city of Lagos, 50 meters from the ocean. Near the complex there is a marina with a Blue Flag.
The complex consists of 4-star and 3-star hotels managed by an international hotel group. Hotels are designed for 270 rooms.
Investors can apply to participate in the project until July 2022.
Apartments in the hotel of the thermal spa resort
Area — from 38 m²
Cost — from €280,000
Profitability — from 3 to 5% per annum
Location — Monchique
The spa resort is located in the Serra de Monchique natural reserve and consists of 4 hotels — converted buildings of the 19th century. The complex is known for thermal springs.
The investor can buy apartments and penthouses from 38 m². Owners have the opportunity to spend 15 days a year in the apartment between October and the end of June.
Apartments in the hotel complex
Area — from 122 m²
Cost — from €645,350
Profitability — 5% per annum
Location — Loule
The project is represented by residences in a 5-star hotel complex, which is located in the small town of Loule. Faro’s beaches are 20 minutes' drive from the hotel, and the A22 motorway, with links to Lisbon or Spain, is 10 minutes away.
An investor can buy apartments with one or two bedrooms, the layout of which also includes a kitchen, living room, bathroom and terrace. Some properties have private pools and jacuzzis.
The owners get the right to live in the hotel for 10 weeks a year, including during the high season.
Apartments and villas managed by Marriott International
Area — from 94 m²
Cost — from €1,000,000
Profitability — 5% per annum
Location — Albufeira
The project is presented by a resort complex managed by Marriott International. Investors can purchase an apartment of 94 m², located next to the golf course, or a villa of 386 m² with its own plot.
Possibility of stay — 26 weeks per year.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the residence permit program in Portugal. If you want to move to Portugal or travel around the Schengen countries without visas, please contact investment program experts for advice.