There may not be a halt in construction quite yet, but the imminent peak in new builds due to the government's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) could see the sector struggle in the near future.

The concern was shared by Filipa Roseta, Lisbon's City Councillor for Housing, who recently cited the shortage of labour as one of the most significant challenges the country faces.

“We don't have a problem with construction halts yet, but we fear the moment when that might happen. In 2024 and 2025, it will be the peak of construction [through] the PRR, and there is a real risk of the sector not being able to respond,” explains the councillor.

But it's not just new builds at risk of disruption. Ongoing renovations to improve energy efficiency, sustainability and decarbonisation of older properties are also high on the agenda, and labour is a much-needed resource.

To meet that need, Roseta highlights the need of immigrant workers (and the importance of welcoming them) to prevent future disruptions in the construction sector in Portugal, especially in Lisbon.

This has been especially important, she explains, since many of the country's most qualified workers emigrated during the Troika period.

It's not the first time in recent years that the construction sector has had its challenges, and those looking to build their own home should get trusted, on-the-ground advice before going down this route.

Contact the Algarve Home Sales team about available plots to build your home to your own standards, or find one of the many stunning properties already in our portfolio.