Madeira island · report
Empty homes in Madeira island
13.5% of the 126,487 homes counted in the 2021 census stood empty, whether for sale, to let or for other reasons.
- Empty, 2021 census
- 13.5%
- Empty homes
- 17,110
Against the wider area
Share of homes standing empty in the 2021 census.
| Area | Empty |
|---|---|
| Madeira island | 13.5% |
| Portugal | 12.1% |
Where homes stand empty in Madeira island
Share of homes standing empty at the 2021 census, emptiest first.
| Area | Empty |
|---|---|
| Porto Moniz | 19.2% |
| Calheta (R.A.M.) | 18.7% |
| Santana | 16.0% |
| Ribeira Brava | 15.4% |
| São Vicente | 14.8% |
| Ponta do Sol | 14.6% |
| Machico | 13.3% |
| Funchal | 13.2% |
| Câmara de Lobos | 12.1% |
| Santa Cruz | 11.3% |
The census counts a home as empty when nobody lives in it usually or seasonally: for sale, to let, awaiting demolition or repair, or for other reasons. Second homes are counted apart and are not included. The next census is in 2031.
Other reports for Madeira island
Asking prices have an 80% chance of landing between €3,598/m² and €4,137/m² by September 2027.
- Expected, September 2027
- €3,867/m²
- Chance of a rise
- 70%
Figures for Portugal: Madeira island has no reliable figures of its own.
At the bank valuation, a 90 m² home costs €205,020. With 10% down and a 30-year mortgage, the payment is €778 a month. Banco de Portugal caps it at 50% of a household's net income.
- Payment, two incomes
- 31%
- Payment, one income
- 63%
Figures for Portugal: Madeira island has no reliable figures of its own.
Owning a 90 m² home costs less each month than renting it. Owning counts interest, running costs and the return the deposit could earn, at the median sale price. Repaying the loan is saving, so it is left out.
- Rent per month
- €878
- Owning per month
- €715
64.2% more homes were licensed for construction in the last 12 months than in an average year of the past decade.
- Licensed, 12 months
- 1,097
- Per 1,000 residents
- 4.2
Figures for Portugal: Madeira island has no reliable figures of its own.
Over the last 12 months, buyers domiciled abroad paid 33.5% more per m² than buyers living in Portugal.
- Abroad against residents
- +33.5%
Asking prices have fallen by 3% or more once since 2015. That fall began in August 2015.
- Deepest fall
- −7.2%
- Recovery from the low
- 6 months
In 2025 the population grew by 1,063 while 862 homes were finished: 1.2 new residents for every new home.
- New residents per new home, 2025
- 1.2
- Population change, 2025
- +1,063
In 2025, 22% of the buildings finished were work on existing buildings: extensions, alterations and reconstructions.
- Work on existing buildings, 2025
- 22%
- Reconstructions per 100 new buildings
- 0.0
Public bodies signed €6.3M of housing works here in 2025, and €43.8M since 2012.
- Signed in 2025
- €6.3M
- Per resident, 2025
- €24
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