News
INE: new housing construction costs rise 7.5% in August
New housing construction costs in Portugal increased by 7.5% in August 2026 compared with August 2025, according to the first estimate released by Statistics Portugal (INE) on 9 October. The figures are provisional.
Material prices rose by 7.1% year on year and labour costs by 8.0%. Compared with July 2026 (month on month), the overall index rose by 0.5%.
What the index measures
The New Housing Construction Cost Index (ICCHN), with a 2021=100 base and national coverage, tracks changes in the prices of inputs used to construct residential buildings. It measures construction costs, not house sale prices.
The figures can be revised. In this release, INE revised July's annual rate from 6.8% to 6.5%. The August figure is the first estimate for that month.
CertiAmb's recommendation: check the basis of the estimate
If you are preparing a building project, these figures are a reason to check whether the quotations you hold still reflect the design and the intended contract date. The aggregate index does not determine the price change for an individual project or mean that 7.5% should be added to its estimate.
- Compare quotations covering the same work, materials and finishes. Identify exclusions as well.
- Check each quotation's date, validity period and the contractor's confirmation of prices.
- Review quantities and unit prices, especially where the design or material choices have changed.
- Read the price adjustment terms and clarify in writing how changes to the agreed work will be handled.
These are CertiAmb's practical recommendations for preparing and comparing quotations. They are not INE findings about your project.
Preparing the design for your home?
CertiAmb develops architectural designs and coordinates the required engineering disciplines. Tell us the location, intended brief and information you already have so that we can define the scope of design and planning approval services. Support with preparing and overseeing construction is agreed in a separate proposal.
Official sources
INE: ICCHN, August 2026, released on 9 October 2026
Full release in Portuguese: tables 1 to 3 and methodological notes
INE: methodology, version 3.0, base 2021=100 (Portuguese)
