How to buy property in Portugal
Buying a home in Portugal is very doable as a foreigner — once you know the steps. Here’s the whole journey, from your tax number to the keys.
Whether you’re an expat relocating, an investor, or buying a holiday home, the Portuguese buying process is well-trodden — but it has its own steps and paperwork. This guide walks through it end to end. As you go, you can dig deeper with our cost-of-buying calculator, our glossary of Portuguese terms, and our mortgages for foreigners & non-residents page.
Buying property in Portugal, step by step
Get your NIF (and a bank account)
A Portuguese tax number (NIF) is the key that unlocks everything — you need it to open a bank account, sign contracts and buy. Non-residents can get one too, often through a fiscal representative. A local bank account makes payments and the mortgage far smoother.
Set your budget — price + costs + mortgage
Look beyond the listing price. Budget roughly 5%–10% on top for taxes and fees (IMT, stamp duty, notary), and work out how much you can borrow. Our cost-of-buying calculator and mortgage tools give you the real numbers.
Get a mortgage decision in principle
Knowing your financing before you offer makes you a stronger buyer. We compare 11+ Portuguese banks and present your profile in the best light — including for non-resident and complex-income buyers.
Find a property & sign the CPCV
Once you’ve agreed a deal, you sign the CPCV (promissory contract) and pay a deposit (the sinal), commonly around 10%. This commits both parties while the final steps are completed.
Valuation & final mortgage offer
The bank values the property and issues the final, binding mortgage offer. The loan is based on the lower of the valuation and the price — we handle the back-and-forth with the bank for you.
Sign the escritura (final deed)
IMT and stamp duty are paid first, then you sign the escritura before a notary and the property is yours. We attend to check every condition matches what was negotiated.
What will it cost on top of the price?
Taxes and fees usually add roughly 5%–10% to the purchase price. Use our 2026 calculator to estimate IMT, stamp duty and fees for your budget.
Estimate my buying costs