The Algarve is one of Portugal's most popular regions for mobile homes, both for permanent living and investment in short-term rental and rural tourism. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, award-winning beaches, and a well-established tourist market, the region attracts Portuguese and foreign buyers seeking affordable housing alternatives. Green Village delivers and installs mobile homes across the entire Algarve — from Aljezur to Vila Real de Santo Antonio — with prices starting from 14,576 euros for used units in good condition. Demand is concentrated in three segments: owner-occupation (young couples and retirees), short-term rental (tourism investors), and campsites (operators renewing their stock). The Algarve offers ideal conditions for mobile homes: the mild climate reduces insulation requirements, inland Algarve land is significantly more affordable than the coast, and the network of campsites and resorts accepts privately owned mobile homes on pitch-rental arrangements.
Regulations
In the Algarve, mobile home installation follows the RJUE (DL 555/99) with local specificities defined by each municipality's PDM. On your own land, a mobile home installed to stay needs a licence or a prior communication (comunicação prévia) to the council, depending on the zone and the PDM — being removable does not exempt it; on rural land only where the PDM land-use class admits it (rural tourism, camping, tourist development), as a rule with a licence. On National Agricultural Reserve (RAN) land, construction works are prohibited except for the uses listed in article 22 of Decree-Law 73/2009 (for example, the farmer's own permanent home or rural-tourism developments complementary to the farm), and any non-agricultural use that needs a licence or prior communication requires a binding prior opinion from the regional RAN body (article 23). On National Ecological Reserve (REN) land, construction and extension works are prohibited (article 20 of Decree-Law 166/2008) except for the compatible uses in annex II, which are exempt or subject to prior communication to the CCDR. In practice a mobile home installed to stay rarely fits these exceptions; in protected areas (Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Natura 2000), also confirm the land classification with the council. On licensed campsites (such as Camping Ria Formosa, Parque de Campismo de Armação de Pera), check with the park how the installation fits within the park's licence. For short-term rental (Alojamento Local), registration is done with the local municipality and Turismo de Portugal (DL 128/2014). The Algarve has AL containment zones in some municipalities (Lagos centre, Albufeira centre), but rural and peripheral areas remain open. Before purchasing land, ask the council for written prior information (informação prévia) on what its PDM allows.
Transport
Mobile homes reach the Algarve as part of Green Village's countrywide service. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price. Green Village coordinates the whole journey from the country of origin to the site in the Algarve and obtains every permit the delivery requires. Access to inland Algarve sites (Serra de Monchique, Barrocal) may require prior reconnaissance — our team verifies access feasibility before delivery.
Pricing
Mobile home prices in the Algarve are slightly above the national average, reflecting strong tourist demand. Used single-wide units (10x3.7m) start at 14,576 euros; used twin-units from 28,000 euros; new lodges between 55,000 and €358,034. For short-term rental, the average return is between 15 and 35% per year, with occupancy rates of 55-70% in high season (June-September) and 25-40% the rest of the year. Inland Algarve land costs between 15,000 and 50,000 euros (rural), whilst coastal urban plots easily exceed 100,000 euros. Green Village offers financing up to 120 months and final prices delivered to the Algarve — no hidden costs.
Installation
Installation in the Algarve benefits from the dry climate: the soil is generally stable and levelling is simpler than in humid areas. Typical supports are concrete blocks on compacted ground. Water and electricity connections depend on location: in urban areas, mains connection is direct (500-2,000 euros); in rural areas, a water borehole (2,000-4,000 euros) and off-grid solar system (3,000-8,000 euros) may be needed. Sewage in areas without mains drainage requires a septic tank (2,500-5,000 euros). Green Village includes installation and levelling service for deliveries in the Algarve.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a mobile home cost in the Algarve? +
- Prices start at 14,576 euros for used single-wide units. Used twin-units cost from 28,000 euros. New lodges range between 55,000 and €358,034. Prices include transport; VAT is shown separately, as on every listing.
- Can I use a mobile home for short-term rental in the Algarve? +
- Yes. AL registration is done with the local municipality and Turismo de Portugal. Besides AL registration, the installation itself needs its own planning title (licence or comunicação prévia); on a licensed park, confirm with the park how the installation fits within the park's licence. Check whether your municipality has an AL containment zone.
- Which is the best Algarve municipality for installing a mobile home? +
- Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, and Monchique offer more affordable land, but each council's PDM decides what is allowed; in protected areas (PNSACV, Natura 2000), confirm the land classification with the council before buying. For beach tourism, Lagos and Tavira are excellent. The choice depends on your objective: housing, short-term rental, or rural tourism.
- Does Green Village deliver to the Algarve? +
- Yes. We deliver and install across the entire Algarve, from Aljezur to Vila Real de Santo Antonio. The catalogue price includes transport to the client's site.
