As Europe pivots towards a greener, more energy-efficient future, Germany is setting the pace in construction with a decisive shift from new builds to sustainable building modernization. According to a recent market study by Heinze Marktforschung , nearly two-thirds of all construction activity in Germany is now dedicated to refurbishment and energy-efficient upgrades rather than new developments. The main drivers? Insulation, windows, photovoltaic systems, and modern heating technologies.
This shift is not just a local trend. It is a glimpse into the future of real estate and construction across Europe, and Portugal should take note. With an extensive stock of ageing, energy-inefficient buildings, the Portuguese market has both a pressing need and a unique opportunity to follow suit.
That message resonated strongly at the Portuguese Real Estate Show this week in Lisbon, where numerous panel discussions focused on the need to transition from building new to upgrading the old. The consensus was clear: retrofitting existing buildings is not just a sustainability imperative; it is a market necessity. Portugal’s urban fabric, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto, is filled with beautiful but outdated buildings.
While these properties hold cultural and historical value, they are often plagued by poor insulation, outdated heating systems, and inefficient energy consumption. Unlike Germany, where large-scale data is now informing precise investment in sustainable products, P.
