Why Lisbon flats don't have AC (and why that's fixable)
If you moved here from the US, the missing AC is usually the first summer shock. The reasons are structural: much of central Lisbon is protected historic building stock where exterior split units are restricted, landlords rarely invest in cooling for rentals, and until recently summers were milder. None of that helps you in August, when old stone buildings hold the day's heat and bedrooms sit at 28–30°C at midnight. A portable AC fixes it without touching the building: it stands on the floor, vents through a window with a sealing kit, and plugs into a normal socket. No landlord permission needed — you're not installing anything.
Rent monthly or buy one?
Rule of thumb: renting wins for stays and summers up to ~3 months; buying wins for permanent, year-after-year use. A decent new portable costs €300–450 at Worten or Leroy Merlin — plus you own a 28 kg machine you'll need to store all winter and sell when you leave Portugal. Renting at €450/month means zero upfront, zero storage, free replacement within ~24h if it fails, and it disappears when you do. Staying several years in a flat you can modify? Then buying (or even installing a split, if allowed) is worth the maths — we wrote an honest rent-vs-buy guide with the real numbers.
Pricing for longer stays
| Duration | Price | Effective per day |
|---|---|---|
| Week | from €210 | €30/day |
| Two weeks | from €350 | €25/day |
| Month | from €450 | €15/day |
Delivery and pickup included in Lisbon city (outer areas may carry a 10–20 euro surcharge, confirmed upfront). Refundable €100 deposit, returned at pickup. Renting several months? Message us — we'll sort a fair price for the full stay. Sharing a flat? Splitting a month between housemates makes it ~€5/person/week for cool sleep.
What about electricity cost?
A 9000 BTU portable draws roughly 0.8–1 kW while cooling. At typical Portuguese tariffs that's about €0.15–0.20 per hour — a full month of 6 hours every night adds around €30–35 to your bill. We published the full calculation with EDP tariffs in our electricity cost guide.
AC Rental Lisbon's tip for newcomers
Don't wait for the first IPMA heat alert — that's when everyone wants a unit at once. If you know your flat gets hot (top floor, south-facing, no shutters), book at the start of the month and you're covered for every heatwave that summer throws at you.
Questions expats ask us
Do I need my landlord's permission?
No. A portable AC is a free-standing appliance, like a fridge. Nothing is drilled or mounted; the hose rests in a window opening with a soft sealing kit.
I don't speak Portuguese. Is everything possible in English?
Yes — WhatsApp, delivery, invoices, everything. Most of our customers are international.
Can I extend month by month?
Yes, just message us before the end of your period. Extending is always cheaper than re-booking, and you keep the same unit.
What happens when I leave Lisbon?
We pick the unit up at your place, check it together, and refund your €100 deposit. If you leave earlier than planned, you only pay the days you used.
Will it cool my whole apartment?
One 9000 BTU unit properly cools one room up to ~18 m² — typically the bedroom or home office. For a second room, a second unit is more effective than one oversized machine; from 2 units we quote a combined price.
How fast can you deliver?
Usually the same day in Lisbon and Greater Lisbon, subject to availability. Message us on WhatsApp (+351 935 328 206) and we'll confirm right away.