GENERAL INFORMATION

Population: 10m
Currency: Euro

Capital Gains Tax: Should your property be held through an offshore company no change of ownership will be recognised by the Portuguese authorities and any applicable rate of capital gains tax will be avoided. Otherwise Capital Gains will be a maximum of 24% on property bought since 1989.

There are no Restrictions for Foreign Ownership.

Real Estate Prices in Portugal
Range Varies, for example.
>From around £100,000 for older inland properties usually in need of renovation.
>From around £75,000 for small apartments.
>From £140,000 for detached villas Golf complex property will be more expensive with luxury villas approaching £200,000 / $300,000 and beyond.

Locations to buy real estate in Portugal
It is usually more expensive to buy real estate in coastal resorts of Portugal with the Algarve, in the South being the most popular with choices of purpose built complexes which always have a wide appeal for holiday homes and rentals. You will find the property prices are generally slightly higher than in Spain.

Living & Costs in Portugal
Portugal is becoming more expensive to live although general goods are cheaper than in other EU countries but some luxury and imported goods are quite expensive.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and bordering Spain to the north and the east, Portugal is perfectly situated for those who like rocky peninsula and rough sea. One of Europe's smallest countries, it has the diversity to match any of its bigger neighbours. Rivers and forests spread up the valleys between mountains and the dry winds blow on the rockier southern plains. It's an inexpensive and fascinating country with a long seafaring past, which is pushing forward to catch up with the rest of Europe after forty years of dictatorship. There's so much to stare and wonder at that many people choose to get a mountain bike and a set of panniers and just cruise through the olive, wine and orange groves of the centre and south and see what they find along the way.

Basically you can expect a temperate climate from April to October, with good weather all year round in the Algarve. But be careful! 'Temperate' means that temps can get up to the mid 30s (centigrade). November to March are wet rather than very cold, the big welly places being the extreme north and the Serra de Estrela. If you want to be left alone, avoid June to September (the peak tourist season) and February carnival and Easter weekends.

The truth is that there's so much wilderness to explore that should you tire of unspoilt cobbled street villages, goat herders leading their flock up the high street and women hanging their clothes up to dry on washing lines strung up between the church and the café, well, you just take a left turn.or a right turn.or just carry on a little.

Living Costs in Portugal
Portugal is becoming more expensive to live although general goods are cheaper than in other EU countries but some luxury and imported goods are quite expensive.

Buying real estate in Portugal
When you have found your property, the Vendor or their legal representative will obtain a certificate (Escritura) from the local Land Registry confirming that the property is available to sell. This document will need to be produced to the Notary at the time of signing the contracts.

If the full purchase price is being paid immediately, a purchase contract will be drawn up by the Vendor's legal representative, covering the details of the contract, purchase price and date of completion. At the time of signing the contract, the Purchaser will pay a deposit usually about 10% of the agreed purchase price. If the purchaser should withdraw from the contract this deposit will be forfeited, whilst if the vendor should withdraw they will be obliged to forfeit double the value of the deposit.

Solicitor / Lawyer
The conveyancing (Escritura) will check that any searches and other legal requirements have been carried out, funds prepared and that both parties can agree a completion time. The transfer of title will then be prepared and will be signed by both parties or by their solicitors/lawyers, in the presence of a notary. The balance of the purchase money can then be handed over. The contract will be retained by the notary and a copy registered with Public Records. You will then have to arrange for registration with the Land Registry which ensures your proof of legal ownership and the Inland Revenue will also be notified for your property and rating taxes. Prior to buying your property you should apply for a tax number.

Fees
This will usually be a total of about 10% of the purchase price, slightly less for countryside property. The costs include Solicitor/Notary fees, Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax (SISA ) when buying real estate in Portugal.

Property Tax
Property Transfer Tax (SISA), is payable when the registered owner of the property changes in Portugal and is currently under review. The rates where:

• 0% to €80,000
• 2% - 6.5% thereafter
• 5% for land

A municipal tax is levied by reference to the rateable value, from 1%. For offshore companies the rate is now 2%. From 1st January 2004 this is now 5%. Buying a property using real estate holding companies is a popular tax efficient method of investing in a second home. It can allow buyers to minimise property transfer taxes and avoid capital gains on sale and inheritance tax in the event of death.

Mortgages
You can borrow against property from a Portuguese financial institution although it can be difficult should it be for a second home by other non-Portuguese nationals. If the property is being purchased through a Gibraltar offshore company you could use a bank based there who would generally advance up to one half of the purchase price, subject to status. These mortgages can usually be arranged in most of the major currencies over terms up to a possible maximum of 20 years.

IMMUNISATIONS AND MALARIA ADVICE FOR PORTUGAL
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office safety advice.

You must discuss your own particular needs and contraindications to vaccines or tablets with your doctor or practice nurse. Advice can change so check again for future visits.
Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. The 'T6' leaflet (from Post Offices) gives details of health care agreements between countries and an application form for care within EC countries, which must be completed before departure.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO GET SOME THINGS CLEAR IN YOUR MIND:

• How much do you want to spend?
• What's the property for - holiday getaway, to start a new life, retirement or investment?
• How much room do you want - for yourselves, visitors or tenants?
• Accessibility - can you get there easily from home and how easy it is to get to the towns and services within Portugal?
• How much work you are prepared to put into the property yourself - or pay to have done?

AND WHEREVER IN PORTUGAL YOU BUY THERE ARE BASIC THINGS YOU'LL NEED TO DO:
Get a lawyer (absolutely essential) - an independent lawyer experienced in both Portuguese and UK property law. A purely-British or purely-Portuguese lawyer will not have the right knowledge of both systems to be able to give you all the help you need.

Fix a budget for the whole operation. Ask yourselves what is the maximum that you want to spend, including any repairs or improvements, plus taxes and fees. Be realistic: assume renovations will cost more, not less.

For more information on buying property in Portugal visit the Portuguese Governments website by Clicking Here

Our guide will not cover all the legal and full financial information for your Real Estate purchase but should enable you to get an idea into the financial involvement.

Portuguese Embassy
British Embassy Lisbon
Rua Sao Bernado 33
Lisboa 1249-082
Tel: +351 21392 4000
Fax: +351 21392 4185
Email

For more information on Portugal Property and to arrange your viewing visit: Viewing Arrangements