Buying a home in Portugal
Buy in Portugal with an agency you’ve checked
Find a licensed estate agent, see their Google reviews and confirm the licence yourself, before you hand over a deposit.
How it works
- 01
See who’s licensed
Every agency we list holds an AMI licence we found in Portugal’s official register, with its Google reviews beside it.
- 02
Check before you call
Each profile shows the licence number, the company behind the brand and a quick way to confirm it.
- 03
Get an introduction
Tell us your area and budget and we’ll put you in touch with one or two agencies that know that market.
Start in Lisbon
28 licensed agencies, checked against the register
From Keller Williams and Century 21 offices to independents like De Brito Properties and Matriz Alfacinha. Compare them side by side, then read what buying in Lisbon really costs.
Your rights in Portugal
What Portuguese law gives you as a buyer
- 01
Licence on show
Agencies must print their AMI licence number on their office, website, ads and contracts. No number, ask why.
- 02
A written contract
If you hire an agency, the contract must be in writing and state the fee, VAT and the agency’s insurance.
- 03
One fee, one side
An agency can’t charge the seller and you a fee on the same deal. If they want both, walk away.
- 04
Money you hand over
Money you hand an agency before the deal must be kept, not used, and given back when you ask for it.
From Portugal’s real estate brokerage law, Lei n.º 15/2013.
Questions
Buying in Portugal as a foreigner
Can foreigners buy property in Portugal?
Yes. You don’t need to live in Portugal to buy here. You do need a Portuguese tax number, a NIF, which any foreign person can get, resident or not, in person or through a lawyer.
What taxes do I pay when I buy?
Transfer tax (IMT) and 0.8% Stamp Duty. Since May 2026, if you live abroad when you buy a home, IMT is usually a flat 7.5% of the price. Become tax resident within two years and you can apply to get back the difference from the normal rates.
Does buying a home get me a Golden Visa?
No. The property routes to a Golden Visa closed on 7 October 2023. The common routes now are the D7 visa, for people living on their own income, and the digital nomad visa.
Can I get a mortgage if I don’t live in Portugal?
Yes. Banco de Portugal limits loans to 90% of the value for your own home and 80% for a second home, and banks often lend non-residents less, around 60% to 70%.
How do I know an estate agent is legitimate?
Every agency needs an AMI licence, and the number has to appear on its website, ads and contracts. Look it up in IMPIC’s official register and check the company name matches your contract.
Tell us what you’re looking for
Tell us where you want to buy and your budget. We’ll introduce you to one or two licensed agencies that know that market. It’s free.