A complete guide for international buyers — from your first conversation with Willem, through taxes, paperwork, and notary, to the keys in your hand. Written for the buyer who wants to understand, not just be guided.
f you’re reading this, you’re probably considering buying a property in Portugal. Perhaps you’re just starting your search, have already viewed a few homes, or are planning your first viewing trip. Whatever stage you’re at, the journey from interest to a successful purchase is often more complex than most people expect.
That’s why I wrote this Buyer’s Guide. While assisting international buyers, I noticed that the same questions come up time and time again. How does the buying process work? What costs should I expect? What is a CPCV? When is the purchase price paid? What roles do the lawyer, notary and bank play? And what should you really pay attention to before buying a property?
In this guide, I take you through the entire buying process step by step. No unnecessary legal jargon or marketing talk—just clear explanations, practical information and insights based on real experience. My goal is to help you make informed decisions and feel confident throughout your property purchase in Portugal.
You don’t have to read the guide from beginning to end in one sitting. Use it as a reference and return to the sections that are most relevant to you whenever you need them. And when you’re ready to talk, the Contact button at the top of this page will connect you directly with me.
— Willem
Most international buyers complete a Portuguese property purchase in eight to twelve weeks. Here is what those weeks actually look like.
A complete guide for international buyers who want to understand the property buying process in Portugal. From the first search to receiving the keys, you will find practical explanations about costs, taxes, legal steps, financing and the key points to consider before buying.
Yes. Portugal places no nationality restrictions on property ownership. EU and non-EU citizens have the same purchasing rights as Portuguese nationals. The only requirement before completing a transaction is obtaining a Portuguese tax number (NIF), which non-residents typically secure through a fiscal representative. We handle this for clients as part of the process.
No. The Golden Visa programme was significantly restructured in October 2023, and real estate investment no longer qualifies for residency under the scheme. If residency is your goal, you should be looking at the D7 visa (passive income), the D8 visa (digital nomads), or qualifying through Portuguese employment.
Plan for roughly 6–9% of the purchase price in transaction costs. This includes IMT (transfer tax, the largest variable), stamp duty at 0.8%, notary and registration fees, and your lawyer’s fee. The exact IMT rate depends on the property price and whether it will be your primary residence.
Yes, but with conditions. Portuguese banks typically lend non-residents up to 60–70% of the lower of valuation or purchase price (residents can go to 80–90%). You will need to provide income documentation, tax returns, and bank statements from your home country. Approval timelines are 4–8 weeks.
The CPCV (Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda) is a binding promissory contract. If you withdraw without legal cause, you forfeit your deposit (typically 10% of the price). If the seller withdraws without legal cause, they owe you double the deposit. This is one of the reasons due diligence happens before signing — once the CPCV is in place, both sides are committed.
Not necessarily. The final deed (Escritura) at the notary requires either your physical presence or a notarised power of attorney granted to your lawyer. We have completed transactions for clients who never set foot in Portugal until after the keys were handed over — though we strongly recommend at least one viewing visit before any decisions are finalised.
Most clients tell me afterwards they wish they had called sooner. A 30-minute conversation early in the process saves weeks of looking at the wrong properties, reading the wrong articles, and getting nervous about the wrong things. There is no obligation, and no pressure — just a chance to ask the questions that have been on your mind.
Tax rates, visa rules, and fees referenced on this page reflect Portuguese law as of early 2026. Specific figures should be verified with a qualified tax advisor before any decision.
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