House Sitting in Portugal – How to Live in Portugal For Free

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Last updated on June 25, 2024 | Est. Reading Time: 10 minutes

Are you thinking about moving to Portugal or simply want to experience living in this beautiful country without breaking the bank? House sitting might just be the perfect solution for you!

What is House Sitting? House sitting is an arrangement where you take care of someone’s home while they’re away, usually in exchange for free accommodation. It’s like babysitting, but instead of looking after children, you look after a house (and usually pets too).

Benefits of House Sitting

  1. Save money on accommodation: House sitting means you can finally afford all those pastéis de nata you’ve been dreaming of!
  2. Experience local life: Ever wondered what it’s like to live like a local in Portugal? Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of coffee breaks.
  3. Connect with expats: House sitting is a great way to meet other expats and swap stories about how you both failed miserably at learning Portuguese. But seriously, it’s a great way to get an insight into what Portugal is really like for expats.
  4. Explore different regions: House sitting allows you to try out various locations throughout Portugal, helping you decide where you might want to settle down.

Of course, it’s important to be aware of rules and requirements regarding how long you can stay. Those with an EU/EEA/Swiss passport should register with their local câmara municipal (town hall) after 90 days of being in Portugal, although in practice many don’t.

Those from the rest of the world will be limited to the Schengen Visa, which only allows you to spend 90 days in every 180 days. This is enough time to get a feel for living in Portugal, but if you want to stay longer, you’ll need to obtain residency here.

Don’t worry: if you fall in love with Portugal, we’ll show you exactly how you can move here.

Where to Find House Sitting Opportunities

If you’re looking for house sitting opportunities in Portugal, several websites can help connect you with homeowners in need of a sitter. Here are some of the most popular platforms:

  1. Trusted Housesitters: Trusted Housesitters is the largest house sitting community, offering opportunities in over 130 countries. While it’s pricier than other platforms, starting at $50 per year and going up to almost £300, the extra investment could be worth it for serious house sitters given they have more opportunities.
  2. Housecarers: Established in the early 2000s, Housecarers is a pioneer in the online house sitting community. At $50 per year, it’s more affordable than Trusted Housesitters but may have fewer opportunities.
  3. Nomador: Nomador is a community-focused platform that offers house sitting opportunities and “Stopovers” for short-term stays. Membership starts at €79 per year.
  4. Mind My House: Known for its affordability, Mind My House charges just $29 per year for sitters. The platform has a minimalistic design and is user-friendly.
  5. House Sit Match: House Sit Match emphasises security and trust, vetting all members to ensure a positive experience for both homeowners and sitters. The platform offers different membership tiers to cater to various needs and budgets.

Other Options

While dedicated house sitting platforms like TrustedHousesitters and House Sit Match have gained popularity, there are several alternative avenues for those seeking temporary accommodation or someone to look after their home:

  1. Facebook Groups: Numerous Facebook groups have emerged as platforms where homeowners and potential sitters can connect directly. These groups often operate on a regional basis, catering to specific areas or countries. The advantage is that they’re free to use, and members can post their requirements or availability, facilitating direct communication between parties. Example groups include Housesitting Portugal, House & Pet Sitting Spain & Portugal, and Housesitting Algarve.
  2. Wwoofing, Workaway, and Helpx: These platforms operate on the principle of work exchange for accommodation. Typically, hosts offer room and board in exchange for a few hours of work per day. The work can range from farming and gardening to teaching and household chores. While not strictly house sitting, these platforms can offer a deeper cultural immersion and a chance to learn new skills.
  3. Couchsurfing and Similar Hospitality Sites: Couchsurfing is a platform where hosts offer a free place to stay, usually a spare room or couch, to travelers. It’s built on the idea of cultural exchange and building global connections. While it’s not house sitting in the traditional sense, it offers a way to find free accommodation and meet locals. There are other similar platforms, each with its own community and ethos.
  4. House Swapping: House swapping or home exchange is a mutual agreement where two parties swap homes for a specified period. It’s an ideal solution for those who want to travel but also want their home occupied while they’re away. Websites like HomeExchange facilitate these exchanges, ensuring both parties have a comfortable and trustworthy experience.

How to create a great house sitting profile

Consider your house sitter profile as your professional introduction. It serves as a concise snapshot of who you are, your relevant experiences, and outlines why homeowners should entrust their property to you.

When crafting your profile, adopt the perspective of the homeowner. Ask yourself: Why would they choose me? Reflect on the unique attributes and experiences you bring to the table. For instance:

  • Do you have a history of caring for pets?
  • Have you previously cared for pets of friends or family?

Photos

The adage goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and this holds true for house sitter profiles. Most platforms permit the addition of multiple photos, so maximize this feature by including diverse images of yourself.

Pro Tip: include at least one photo showcasing you with a pet.

References

Trust is the cornerstone of house sitting. Furnishing references can bridge the trust gap, assuring homeowners of your credibility. If you’re a novice in house sitting, you might lack these references. A common workaround is to house sit for acquaintances and then request them for a testimonial.

Another strategy is to undertake local house sits, either within your city or a short distance away. Homeowners are often more inclined to hire someone they’ve met in person, and this can pave the way for your inaugural reference. While the initial motive might be to secure a reference, many find local house sitting as fulfilling as international assignments.

Several platforms also accommodate diverse reference types, be it character endorsements, professional references, or past landlord testimonials. Essentially, any documentation that underscores your reliability and trustworthiness is beneficial.

Police Checks

A majority of elite house sitters possess a police clearance certificate. This straightforward check confirms the absence of any criminal records and can typically be obtained from your local police station. Some jurisdictions even offer online applications for this verification.

Given its potential to enhance your trustworthiness (and considering the pivotal role of trust in house sitting), it’s advisable to have this certificate. However, its absence shouldn’t deter you from pursuing house sitting opportunities initially.

Note: Not all countries provide a straightforward mechanism for obtaining a criminal background check, so it’s essential to research local procedures.

Applying for House Sits

So, you’ve registered on a house sitting platform, crafted a compelling profile, and stumbled upon a house sit that piques your interest. What’s the next step?

Tip 1: Personalize Your Approach

While it might seem efficient to send a generic email to every homeowner, personalizing your message can set you apart. You might have a standard introduction about yourself, but ensure the opening lines are tailored to the specific house sit you’re eyeing.

Tip 2: Highlight Your Suitability

Given the influx of applications homeowners might receive, it’s crucial to immediately address their specific needs. If they desire someone adept at pool maintenance and you fit the bill, highlight that early on. Similarly, if they have pets or specific legal requirements for their location, emphasize your relevant experience or credentials.

Note: Avoid committing to tasks you’re not skilled in, like specialized pool maintenance or intricate DIY tasks.

Tip 3: Brevity is Key

Striking a balance between being informative and concise can be tricky, but with practice, you’ll master the art of crafting succinct yet impactful emails.

Tip 4: Be Prompt in Applying

Many homeowners finalize their choice or at least narrow down their options within a day of posting the house sit. Given the overwhelming number of suitable candidates, some might limit their considerations to the initial batch of applications. To enhance your chances, ensure you apply swiftly.

Tip 5: Respond Timely

While most applicants are keen and check their emails frequently, if you’re not one of them, make an exception during your house sit application phase. Prompt responses not only convey your enthusiasm but also your professionalism.

Tip 6: Propose a Face-to-Face Meeting

Trust is the bedrock of house sitting agreements. Homeowners naturally feel more at ease with individuals they’ve met personally. If the house sit is local, suggest a preliminary meet-up in your initial email – this can significantly boost your chances.

For international house sits, while meeting in person might be logistically challenging, if the location is reasonably accessible, consider making the trip. This extra effort can distinguish you from the myriad of other applicants.

Things to Consider

So you’ve been offered the house sit (or it looks like you might get it), now what? Well there’s a couple of things you should consider.

Draw Up A House Sitting Agreement

Agreements and contracts may sound like dirty words but they ensure both homeowners and house sitters think about everything and get it down on paper.

Some things that could be included in the agreement…

Expectations

How many hours a day are you supposed to be in the house? How many days before should you arrive for a handover?

In case of Plan B

Not everything in life goes according to plan. Suppose you’re house sitting and suddenly find out you have to return home for an emergency (for example a death in the family), what then? Although these things are unlikely to happen, it’s good to talk about this beforehand just in case.

Visitors

Are you allowed visitors during the house sit? For most short term house sit you probably wouldn’t even consider having visitors, but if you’re house sitting long term, especially over Christmas, this may be something that you’re thinking about. Most homeowners are happy to oblige to any reasonable requests so don’t be afraid to ask.

Emergency Floats & Reimbusement

What happens if you need to take a pet to the vet? It’s a good idea to agree on an emergency float for such situations and to have a point in the agreement that the sitter will be reimbursed for any house sitting related costs they occur (assuming those costs have been agreed with the homeowner).

Local Point Of Contact

It can be useful to have a local point of contact for emergencies, particularly if you’re house sitting in a country that speaks another language (and you don’t). Usually this will be the homeowner’s friend or neighbour.

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