Buying a Property in Portugal

Areas Suggested Searches Legal Process Latest Properties

Areas of Portugal

The Golden Triangle of Portugal's sun-drenched Algarve coast comprises some of the best golf and leisure resorts in Europe: Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Garrao and Vila Sol.

The southern part of Portugal with sun-drenched beaches and pretty white and tile towns.

The beautiful stretch of Portuguese coastline between Lisbon in the south and Porto in the north make up the area known locally as the Costa de Prata.

Legal Process

1. Signing a Letter of Intent

On finding a property you wish to purchase, your agent will draw up a 'Letter of Intent, this will be signed by both parties, vendor and buyer. Copies of this will be given to the legal representatives of both parties and will be used in preparing the Promissory Contract. Included in this letter will be the price, what is included in the sale, furnishings etc. and any conditions of the sale plus the dates for both exchange and completion.

2. Exchange of Promissary Contract (Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda)

The buyers lawyers are responsible for drawing up the promissory contract (Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda) and as part of the process they will have carried out the legal searches and made sure that there are no charges, e.g. utilities, property tax etc. against the property. The contract will contain details of both parties and include clear title of ownership, when payments are due to be made, the completion date and an inventory, if required. The Promissory Contract is legally binding and will generally be signed by both parties and witnessed by a notary/lawyer. The contract will include penalty clauses in case either party does not fulfill the terms of the contract. A 10%, non-refundable deposit is required at this point, this will be paid to the vendor, through the lawyer's client account. Once the contract has been signed, if the vendor pulls out of the contract, they will be obliged to pay back double the deposit to the purchaser. If the purchaser pulls out, they will lose their deposit.

3. On Completion

The amount of time between signing the Promissary Contract and Completion will vary and will have been agreed in the contract. Before Completion your lawyer will need to arrange with a fiscal representative for you to obtain a Portuguese Fiscal Number. The official Deed of Transfer of ownership (the Escritura) will be signed by you (or someone representing you with your Power of Attorney), this is signed at the Notary and they will retain the document. The Deed will be read aloud by the Notary before all participants sign it. Your lawyer will need to check to ensure that you understand what is being said if you do not understand Portugese. The Escritura, once it has been signed, will officially give you ownership of the property, but will still need to be registered in your name on the Land Registry (Registo Predial) by your lawyer. Your lawyer should obtain a copy of this for your records. Once you have completed, the new utility contracts can be transferred into your name by your lawyer.

Latest Properties in Portugal

Modern 2 bedroom Apartment for sale with sea and countryside views in Lagos, Algarve
Ref 254669
Modern 2 bedroom apartment enjoying sea views from its ideal location near all amenities in the historic yet vibrant neighbourhood of Lagos. Boasting a spacious house area of 113m2 and a total gro...
450,000 EUR
Unique 7 bedroom House for sale in Verdizela, Seixal, Alentejo Southern Portugal
Ref 254667
Exceptional 3 storey, 7 bedroom luxury villa with pool and garden located in Verdizela, Situated next to the South and South-East fences of Herdade da Aroeira, and 5 minutes from Fonte da Telha B...
1,150,000 EUR
Authentic 8 bedroom House for sale with countryside and sea views in Troia, Grandola, Alentejo Southern Portugal
Ref 254666
Ideally located near the beach and golf course in the Soltroia area on the Troia Peninsula, is this beautiful 8 bedroom authentic villa nestling in nearly half an acre of glorious mature gardens. ...
2,100,000 EUR
Immaculate 4 bedroom Villa for sale in Esposende, Northern Portugal
Ref 254642
Stunning modern and contemporary 4 bedroom luxury villa set in one hectare of glorious landscaped gardens with pool, located near all amenities in Esposende. Built by one of the most renowned arch...
1,500,000 EUR
Spacious 3 bedroom Townhouse for sale in Birre, Cascais, Central Portugal
Ref 254613
A beautifully presented 3 bedroom villa with private garden in a select residence in Birre, with a communal swimming pool, just 10 minutes away from the Cascais Marina and Sintra and close to the Q...
1,450,000 EUR
Furnished 2 bedroom Townhouse for sale in Lagos, Algarve
Ref 254611
Charming and comfortable furnished townhouse with much to offer, located near the beautiful city of Lagos. This 03m2 property offers a perfect combination of comfort and convenience, ideal for t...
425,000 EUR
Beautiful 3 bedroom Villa for sale in Santa Maria da Feira, Central Portugal
Ref 254595
Charming three bedroom villa with large garden located in Pacos de Brandao, Santa Maria da Feira. With traditional architecture and in a lovely setting, it is in excellent condition and has a fun...
765,000 EUR
Unique 3 bedroom House for sale with panoramic and countryside views in Alcacer do Sal, Alentejo Southern Portugal
Ref 254579
Unique opportunity to acquire a charming 3 bedroom house with full operating restaurant and garden, enjoying far reaching countryside views from its location near Alcacer do Sal. This authentic pr...
850,000 EUR
Stunning 5 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Albufeira, Algarve
Ref 254568
Spacious, modern 4 storey, 5 bedroom luxury villa with pool and garden, enjoying panoramic views from the roof terrace, ideally located near all amenities in a peaceful area of Albufeira. Offerin...
1,850,000 EUR
Immaculate 3 bedroom Villa for sale in Loule, Algarve
Ref 254567
New, modern 3 bedroom luxury villa ideally located near all amenities in Loule. Set in an exclusive residential development of townhouses, with cosy terraces, this elegant villa with modern archi...
813,200 EUR
Stylish 5 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Budens, Algarve
Ref 254534
Exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool while enjoying panoramic views from its prestigious location in the golfing resort of Santo Antonio, Budens. With a...
1,275,000 EUR
Stylish 4 bedroom Villa for sale in Vilamoura, Algarve
Ref 254522
Stylish contemporary villa with 4 bedrooms, pool and garden in a quiet residential area in Vilamoura, in the prestigious Golden Triangle - one of the most coveted areas in the Algarve. With an im...
2,300,000 EUR
Beautiful 4 bedroom Villa for sale in Odivelas, Lisbon City, Central Portugal
Ref 254513
Impressive 4 bedroom villa in Famoes, Odivelas, offering the perfect balance between modernity and sustainability. Located in Casal de Sao Sebastiao, it offers a distinct and sophisticated livi...
785,000 EUR
Spacious 4 bedroom Villa for sale in Boliqueime, Algarve
Ref 254493
Bright and spacious 4-bedroom detached villa in a tranquil setting in Boliqueime in the Algarve, providing sophistication and comfort and offering a superb quality of life. Nicely spread over two...
1,295,000 EUR
Prestige 4 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Albufeira, Algarve
Ref 254476
Stylish and modern 4-bedroom villa situated in the exclusive and tranquil Pine Valley Resort, in Olhos de Agua, offering luxury, privacy and easy access to the Algarve and its magnificent beaches a...
1,750,000 EUR
Immaculate 3 bedroom House for sale with sea view in Sao Pedro Do Estoril, Estoril, Central Portugal
Ref 254474
Exceptional new architect designed luxury 3 bedroom villa with pool and garden, enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location near the beach and all amenities on Avenida Marginal in Sa...
2,698,000 EUR
Spacious 10 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside and panoramic views in Algoz, Algarve
Ref 254434
Spacious 10 bedroom rural property with pool, set in over a plot of over an acre, providing a haven of tranquillity and total privacy in Foral, near Algoz, in the Algarve. Fully furnished and spre...
895,000 EUR
Stylish 3 bedroom House for sale with sea view in Azenhas do Mar, Colares, Central Portugal
Ref 254427
Charming single storey property with sea views in Azenhas do Mar, Colares, Sintra, set in a generous plot with space for a pool. Set on a generous plot of land of 1,040 m2, this house consists of...
1,290,000 EUR
Spacious 2 bedroom Apartment for sale with sea view in Praia da Luz, Algarve
Ref 254394
Ideally located near the beach and all amenities in Praia da Luz, is this bright and spacious 2 bedroom apartment with communal pools. This first floor property is situated in the hugely popular ...
395,000 EUR
Immaculate 2 bedroom Apartment for sale with sea view in Jardins da Parede, Cascais, Central Portugal
Ref 254391
Stylishly renovated 2 bedroom luxury Penthouse apartment with many communal facilities, ideally located near the beach and all amenities in the prestigious Bafureira area of Jardins da Parede. S...
2,280,000 EUR