Tag: Mercan Group

The most recent data from the Imovirtual portal, released on 11 May 2026, shows that the real estate market in Portugal is undergoing a structural transformation, with a heavy concentration of medium- and large-sized homes. Currently, T3 and T4 typologies represent 61.6% of the available supply, while more compact solutions, such as T1 and T2, […]

The Minister of the Presidency stated that the figures on foreigners from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) “will always be different”, because they are based on different methodologies and universes. “I swear to you that I don’t know the INE figures,” said António Leitão Amaro […]

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has announced that digitally signed documents are now accepted for applications and renewals of residence permits in Portugal. This measure covers signatures made with the Citizen Card, Digital Mobile Key, and Professional Attributes Certification System (SCAP), aiming to simplify and accelerate administrative procedures during a period marked […]

According to idealista data from the first quarter of 2026, luxury homes with balconies in Portugal are, on average, around 10% more expensive than comparable properties without balconies. For premium buyers, a balcony is not just an outdoor space. It represents natural light, views, privacy, and a higher-quality urban lifestyle. This is especially relevant in […]

Greece is evolving into a top choice for wealthy foreigners searching for sea view assets. Greece is emerging as a top summer destination for foreign high-net-worth buyers, with interest peaking from four distinct markets: the US, the UK, Northern Europe and the UAE. These are some of the key findings from the “2026 Luxury Lifestyle […]

Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA, has announced that the Residence Permit Renewal Portal is now open for applicants whose residence cards expire in July and August 2026. Eligible residents can submit their renewal requests via the official renewal platform: portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt. AIMA stated that it will continue working to open the renewal portal […]

As housing costs continue to rise in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, many expats and remote workers are looking to smaller inland cities where rent and daily living costs remain significantly lower. Portugal is still considered one of the more affordable countries in Western Europe, but where you live makes a big difference to how […]

On 1 April, the Portuguese Parliament approved a revised amendment to the Nationality Law, with 151 votes in favour and 65 against, clearing the required threshold for an organic law. The proposal has now been sent to the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, who will decide whether to promulgate it, veto it, or […]

According to Diário de Notícias, the validity of renewal certificates issued by AIMA will be extended. The certificates were due to expire on 15 April, but given their approaching expiration and the fact that not all pending cases have been resolved, the agency will extend their validity. The certificate refers to documents that expired on […]

Sometimes, if we only look at the big picture of the European hotel market as a whole slowly growing, it is easy to overlook a more specific question: where exactly is capital flowing, and why is it going there? When we shift the perspective from the broader European landscape down to the city level, a […]

For decades, Port of Piraeus, located in the city of Piraeus within the Athens metropolitan area, has functioned as the primary maritime gateway to Athens. As the 4th largest port in Europe and the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, its role has long been clear — a transit hub connecting mainland Greece to the islands […]

Last year was another strong one for the housing market, as the average annual increase was 7.8% compared to 9.1% in 2024, according to the Bank of Greece’s sales price indices. An important feature of the previous year is the impact that the “My Home II” program seems to have had on the prices of […]

As global travel patterns continue to evolve, Greece is entering a new phase of tourism development marked by a shifting visitor base. Recent data suggests that long-haul demand is no longer driven solely by traditional Western markets. Instead, China and India are rapidly emerging as critical growth engines, reshaping Greece’s inbound tourism strategy. Asia’s Rising […]

The Portuguese real estate market consolidated its position in 2025 as the main driver of international investment, attracting a record amount of €3.905 billion. This figure represents a 10.4% increase over the previous year, a performance that contrasts sharply with the 34.9% drop in total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Portugal, which stood at €8.51 […]

Passenger traffic at Athens International Airport (AIA) continued its strong upward trend in February, reaching 1.98 million travelers – a 13.1 percent increase compared to the same month last year. According to data released by the airport, both domestic and international traffic recorded significant gains during the month. Domestic passenger numbers rose by 9.9 percent […]