Two Portuguese postcodes just made a list of places that could shape where the world's next generation of wealth decides to live. Lisbon and Cascais feature in a new Savills ranking of the 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa best positioned to draw wealthy residents under 40.
The consultancy's "Spotlight on Wealth Trends 2026" report assessed more than 100 locations on business conditions, connectivity, taxation, wealth management and lifestyle. Crucially, it measures potential rather than existing millionaire counts — where inherited, soon-to-be-inherited and self-made fortunes might realistically settle next.
Why do the two Portuguese spots make the cut? Savills points to quality of life, food and shopping scenes, and prices that look comparatively reasonable against rival cities courting the same buyers. Affordability is a relative term here — it's about beating Monaco or Paris, not beating the local market. Rita Bueri, who heads Savills' Lisbon residential operation, says the area has long drawn rich investors, often quietly, and that better housing stock, economic stability and lifestyle are now amplifying the appeal. Portugal's small size, she argues, is itself a selling point for exclusivity, though she concedes services and bureaucracy still need work to meet these clients' standards.
The timing is no accident. Savills cites Capgemini estimates that some $84 trillion will change hands over the next two decades — $72 trillion to heirs, $12 trillion to philanthropy. Portugal wants a slice. There's also a Latin American boost: Brazilian buyers and tenants are already propping up demand for high-end Portuguese homes, with many wealthy families renting rather than buying so they can split their year between countries.
For travellers, the practical read is this: Cascais and coastal Lisbon are getting a serious luxury upgrade over the coming years — more polished restaurants, hotels and serviced apartments — which is good news if you like visiting polished places, and complicated news if you're wondering where locals will live. The source reporting itself notes nobody has assessed what an influx of millionaires means for ordinary residents facing the housing market. Watch this stretch of coast now, while a mid-range budget still gets you a very good dinner with an Atlantic view.
