After the offer is made and the price negotiated, both parties, seller and buyer, sign a reservation agreement or letter of intent.

We advise you to appoint a Portuguese lawyer and make sure there is a power of attorney for selling, including additional powers to represent you fully if necessary. You will need to send your property documents to your lawyer for checking and updating.

The updated documents will be sent by your lawyer to the purchaser’s lawyer, including a copy of the officially stamped floor plans.

A draft of the promissory contract will be sent by your lawyer for your approval. You will then need to instruct your lawyer to sign the contract and receive the deposit on your behalf. Generally, 50% of the agency fee is settled on your behalf by your lawyer from the proceeds.

Before completion, the IMI property rates and condominium fees will need to be paid up to the date of the deeds. Copies of all utility bills with proof of payment will need to be sent to your lawyer.

The property will need to be in good condition and thoroughly cleaned, with any furniture and fittings inventory checked before completion. All property keys and key fobs will need to be handed over at the deeds on completion.

Cancellation of insurance, phone and internet contracts, as well as security alarm contracts should be activated well in advance. If you have finance, your bank will need to be advised well in advance as they will need to attend the deeds to cancel the mortgage. If you have an AL rental license, you should get advice as to when this should be cancelled.

Your lawyer will inform you when deeds are to be signed and the sale completed. Your lawyer will then pay the remaining amount of the agency fees on your behalf and probably hold back funds to cover any capital gains tax liability.

Instruct your lawyer as to where you wish payment to be made. If converting into another currency, it might be worth comparing a currency exchange company’s rate with your local bank.

The declaration of sale must be handed into the Inland Revenue office (Finançes) in the spring following the year of the sale. Usually, your lawyer or your fiscal representative will arrange this for you but always confirm with them.

It is extremely important to prepare all finances before searching for a property, especially gaining pre-approval if buying with a bank loan. Appointing an experienced licensed Real Estate agency and a Portuguese registered Lawyer, who can apply for a fiscal number and open a bank account, are highly recommended.

Offers are often made within 5 - 10% of asking prices. Any lower and vendors might not take the offer seriously, but if you really want the property, it’s better to offer the asking price or close to it to avoid disappointment.

The IMT Transfer tax and IS Stamp Duty depend on the value and whether the property is a permanent or second home residential property (Max 6.8%), or (8.3%) over €1.000.000, touristic property (Max 7.3%), rustic (Max 5.8%)or commercial property (Max 7.3%). Plus, Notary, Registration and Lawyers’ fees (Approx 1% - 1.5%).

A Portuguese fiscal number, copy of ID, proof of profession and proof of income, proof of residence with an original utility bill, and a deposit of around €250 are needed.

Ask your CN property consultant for details of brokers and banks as finance is available up to the age of 75. LINK to simulator

We will ensure the purchase or sale goes through smoothly, but hiring a lawyer is highly recommended and allows you to leave a power of attorney. The lawyer will also conduct searches and prepare a promissory contact, as well as dealing with payments. The buyer will pay a non-refundable deposit of 10-20%, but this can be any amount agreed. The remaining payment is made on completion when signing the deeds.

The vendor instructs the agencies and pays the estate agency fees.

As the Notary does not represent any party in Portugal, unlike in countries such as France, instructing an independent lawyer is highly recommended but not mandatory. Your property consultant will have a list of lawyers recommended by our clients.

Most nationalities travelling to Portugal from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and staying for longer than three months will need to apply for a residence permit. British citizens can stay up to three months in every six months without a VISA.

We can help change the utility contracts into your name, recommend property management & insurance companies, arrange repairs/building quotes and are always available to help with general advice.

We recommend existing management companies if vendors are happy with the services; otherwise our sister company will give you preferential rates for management services. The cost depends on the service but starts at €50 per month.

As long as the exterior façade or the roof of the property is not altered then it is only necessary to inform the Town hall of your intention.

Internal alterations can be made without planning permission, but when renting or selling the property should have an officially approved project with alterations included.

For short term lets a Local Accommodation (AL) licence is required. Our sister company can provide this service for £580 including council tax and VAT. (Link) 18. The town hall makes an inspection, and a license is granted for the official amount of bedrooms.

The Town Hall makes an inspection and the licence is only granted for the official amount of rooms.

Taxes change, but rental income for non residents is presently taxed at 28%. IVA must be charged on income over €12.500 per annum. However, residents are taxed according to their total income declared.

Six months in Portugal and then six months outside before you can bring it in again. It must have an MOT of the country it’s registered in.

Yes, of course! Please speak to Hanneke, Robert or Ana as we will be pleased to arrange a tailor-made package to promote your property.

Our market valuations are complimentary, but there can be a charge for probate, insurance and other valuations.

If the property is your primary residence, then you have the option to reinvest the total sales value into another primary residence. You have to reinvest within the EU either two years before or three years after the Deeds. (Since BREXIT reinvesting in the UK isn't possible) Capital gains tax depends on your residency but with a secondary home a non-resident pays 28% of the gain after deductions. Please ask your property consultant for more information.