For foreigners & non-residents

Getting a mortgage in Portugal as a foreigner

Buying in Portugal but living abroad, or new to the Portuguese banking system? We arrange mortgages for residents, expats and non-residents — EU and non-EU — with expert, English-speaking advice.

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Can a foreigner or non-resident get a mortgage in Portugal?

Yes — and it’s more common than you might think. Many of our clients are international buyers: Americans, Brits, Canadians and other expats, often with complex income profiles such as self-employment, dividends or company income.

Foreign buyers often struggle with banking rules, deposit requirements and paperwork, and some banks hesitate to approve non-residents. That’s where we come in — we know which banks lend to your profile and present your application in the best possible light, at no cost to you.

How much you can borrow

Financing by profile

As a rule of thumb, residents can borrow more of the property’s value than non-residents. The exact limit depends on the bank, the property and your profile.

Residents in Portugal

If you live and earn in Portugal, you can usually borrow the most — as a general guide, up to around 90% of the property’s value, so a deposit from about 10% plus the purchase costs.

Non-residents — EU / EEA

Living elsewhere in Europe is not a barrier. As a rule of thumb, expect financing up to around 80% (a deposit from roughly 20%); exact rates and terms vary by bank.

Non-residents — non-EU

Americans, Brits, Canadians and other non-EU nationals are very welcome — we arrange these mortgages regularly. Financing is typically around 70–80% of the value, so a larger deposit is usually required.

Non-resident essentials

The key numbers, at a glance

Indicative figures for non-resident applications — your exact terms depend on the bank and your profile. Read the full non-resident mortgage FAQ →

350.000 €Minimum property value

70–80%Max LTV (non-resident)

Up to 30 yrsLoan term · repaid by age 80

0,5–1,3%Typical spread (avg ~0,8%)

30–50%Effort rate modelled (of net income)

~6–8 weeksFrom start to deed (escritura)

Income in a foreign currency?

It’s common and manageable. Banks apply a prudent discount to absorb exchange-rate movement, so only part of your gross income counts as usable net income:

EUR~66% of gross
GBP~70% of gross
USD~75% of gross
Other currencies~70% of gross

Buying as a non-resident? You’ll pay a flat 7,5% IMT — see the property purchase tax guide or estimate it with the cost-of-buying calculator.

Documents you’ll typically need

Passport or identity card (all applicants)
Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
Latest tax return / IRS statement
Proof of savings and 6 months of bank statements
6 months of pay slips, or documents verifying your professional activity
Employment contract (or proof of self-employment / company income)
Credit score document (Banco de Portugal, Experian, etc.)

Testimonials

What our clients say

★★★★★ 4,7/5 average rating

Joao, Paulo and the rest of the team have been absolutely amazing. Being a foreigner who does not speak the language, I would have been lost without them. Best of the best service you can hope for.

Victor Levy

Had the best experience! João Almeida Gonçalves has been a tremendous help in our quest for a real estate property in Portugal. We did the whole consultation online, which worked just perfect.

Svenja Engelhard

João is simply the best. He was lightning-quick, delivered me a spreadsheet of options within a day, and smoothly navigated getting me to a far better financial situation.

Heather El

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Portugal?+

Yes. Living abroad is not a restriction — it may affect the characteristics of your mortgage (such as the deposit required), but we have financed many projects for non-resident and foreign buyers.

How much deposit do I need as a foreigner?+

As a general guide in the Portuguese market, residents can finance up to around 90% (a deposit from 10% plus the purchase costs), while non-residents are usually asked for a larger deposit — financing around 70–80% of the value. The exact amount depends on the bank, the type of purchase and your financial situation.

I don’t speak Portuguese — is that a problem?+

Not at all. Our brokers speak both English and Portuguese, so communication is smooth from your first simulation to the final deed.

What documents are required?+

Typically:

Passport or identity card
Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
Last tax return
Proof of savings and bank statements
Employment contract and pay slips, or documentation verifying your professional activity

What are the deed costs in Portugal?+

Budget for these on top of the price:

IMT — property transfer tax. Non-residents pay a flat 7,5%; residents pay a progressive rate. See our tax guide or calculator
IS (Stamp Duty) — 0,8% of the purchase price
ISUC — stamp duty on credit, 0,6% of the loan amount
Bank & notary costs — 1.500 € to 2.000 €

Which bank is best for foreign buyers?+

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We’ve built partnerships with several Portuguese banks — including Crédito Agrícola, Novo Banco, CGD, BPI, Bankinter, EuroBic, Santander, Banco CTT, Abanca and UCI — to match the best option to your situation.