
How to buy a house in Portugal while living abroad: A practical guide
Practical guide to buying a house in Portugal while living abroad with essential steps

Practical guide to buying a house in Portugal while living abroad with essential steps

In recent years, Portugal has become one of the most attractive destinations for international real estate investors. Alongside mild climate, safety, and quality of life, the country offers important tax incentives that make property investment even more appealing—especially for foreign citizens. This article explores the key fiscal benefits, applicable regimes, and how to maximize them when you decide to buy a home in Portugal.
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Buying an apartment is not a decision to be made impulsively or lightly. If it is your first home, it requires caution—after all, you don’t want to find yourself moving back to your parents’ house due to a poor investment. If it’s your second, third, or last home, it’s the fulfilment of a dream, improving your family’s quality of life, perhaps finally creating a space for an office or adding a pool to enjoy sunny days without leaving the condominium. All aspirations are valid, and that’s why you must ensure that no feature—whether obvious or subtle—derails your investment from a good path.

Buying a house is one of the most significant decisions in anyone’s life, extending beyond just a financial consideration. It is an investment that can define your lifestyle, provide security for your family, and mark an important personal achievement.

Understand how capital gains on a second home work and how much tax you may need to pay when selling a property.

Learn the essential documents and tax obligations when selling a home in Portugal. A practical guide to prepare the sale, avoid delays, and stay compliant with IRS rules.

With the rising cost of housing in Portugal, many young people face a major challenge: how to buy a home without having a large down payment? To address this issue, the Portuguese government recently introduced a measure aimed at individuals up to 35 years old, allowing home loans with 100% financing—that is, without any upfront payment. This initiative aims to promote access to homeownership and ease pressure on the rental market, offering a unique opportunity for those wanting to take their first step into the real estate market.

Investing in developments under construction presents a unique opportunity to diversify a portfolio and take advantage of appreciation prospects in a dynamic and constantly evolving market. Selecting the best projects requires a careful analysis of several factors, ranging from location and potential value appreciation to the quality of materials and the credibility of developers, as well as an understanding of associated costs, such as documentation and taxes.

Find out how long the process takes between signing the promissory contract and the final deed. A complete guide for sellers who want to understand each step and avoid delays in their property sale.
Our CEO of Engel & Völkers in Spain, Portugal, and Andorra, Juan-Galo Macià, has been honored with the prestigious Diamond Award for Excellence in the Lifestyle category, awarded by the Spanish Luxury Association – Luxury Spain. This recognition highlights his leadership and contribution to the luxury real estate sector, reaffirming Engel & Völkers' commitment to excellence and exclusivity.

Starting up a business can be an exhilarating endeavour and renting your first office space a major milestone. But with the average commercial lease term being 7.2 years, it’s vital to choose a space that can grow and adapt along with you. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you rent office space for the first time.

Find out what MTIC is and why you should analyse it carefully before signing any home loan agreement. Understand how this indicator reveals the true cost of your mortgage and helps you compare offers from different banks.
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Engel & Völkers Portugal
Av. da Liberdade 196, 7 andar
1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +351 210 200 490