Portugal
5 min read

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Portugal?

Yes. Foreigners can buy property in Portugal with no restrictions on nationality or residency status. There are a few Portugal-specific steps involved, so here's exactly what's required and how the process works.

Yes, Foreigners Can Buy Without Restrictions

No nationality or residency requirement

  • Any foreign national can buy property in Portugal, regardless of nationality.
  • There's no requirement to hold Portuguese residency to purchase.

The same process applies whether or not you live in Portugal

  • Buyers living abroad go through the same steps as buyers already living in Portugal.
  • A power of attorney can let you complete the process without being in Portugal for every step, if needed.

What You'll Need to Buy

How the Pandemic Has Affected Real Estate

A Portuguese NIF (tax number)

  • The NIF (número de identificação fiscal) is Portugal's tax identification number, and every buyer needs one.
  • It's required to sign any contract, open a bank account, and register the property in your name.

A local bank account

  • A Portuguese bank account makes paying deposits, taxes and utilities far more straightforward.
  • Most sellers and notaries expect payment through a Portuguese account.

A lawyer for due diligence

  • An independent lawyer checks the property's legal status, ownership history and any outstanding charges.
  • This is the step that protects you from inheriting someone else's legal problem.

The Buying Process, Step by Step

Reservation and offer

  • You view properties, make an offer, and agree terms with the seller.
  • Once accepted, the property is generally taken off the market for you.

The CPCV, or promissory contract

  • The CPCV is a legally binding promissory contract, signed with a deposit, usually around 10 to 30 percent.
  • It sets out the price, timeline and conditions for the final sale.

Signing the deed

  • The deed (escritura) is signed at the notary, and the remaining balance is paid.
  • The property is then registered in your name at the Land Registry.

Buying as a Foreigner Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

None of these steps are unusual for Portugal, but they can feel unfamiliar if it's your first time buying here, especially from abroad. This is exactly what a buyer's agent helps with: getting your NIF and bank account sorted, coordinating your lawyer, and making sure nothing about the process catches you off guard as a foreign buyer in Portugal.