Looking for your dream home in Portugal? You’re not the only one! Portugal is home to hundreds of thousands of expats due to the year-round warm climate and relatively affordable cost of living. Portugal also has one of the highest numbers of homeowners, with about 75% of the population owning their home. 

Luckily, Portugal offers mortgage loans to both residents and non-residents. Nevertheless, not being a resident will impact how much you can borrow and lead you to need to make a much larger deposit on a house.

Keep in mind that on top of the cost of the property deposit, you’ll also need to pay anywhere from around 6-10% extra for other buying costs. 

This guide has everything you need to know about getting a mortgage in Portugal as a non-resident or resident. 

International Guide to Real Estate in Portugal: Buying a House in Portugal

Can foreigners get a mortgage in Portugal?

Anyone can buy a house in Portugal, and you might even be eligible for a mortgage. Foreigners can get a mortgage in Portugal, but their residency will impact how much they can borrow. 

Mortgage: How much can you borrow in Portugal?

Non-residents will only be offered loans up to 65-75% of the value of the home or the sale price (whichever is lower), while fiscal residents can borrow up to 90% of the sale price (whichever higher).

This can, of course, be lower depending on your income and employment status, leading you to have to put down a larger deposit. 

As a non-resident, if you are purchasing a 200,000 euro home, you would generally thus only get around 130,000 euros from the bank, meaning a down payment of 70,000. However, buying a house would include other costs, which we will get into later on such as taxes and other payments.

There are plenty of calculators out there to help you figure out the full cost.

Types of Mortgages in Portugal

There are two main types of mortgages in Portugal: fixed-rate mortgages and variable-rate mortgages.

Fixed-rate Mortgage

A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to pay your mortgage at a constant rate for a certain amount of time. This could be fixed for one year or extended up to 30 years. By having a fixed-rate mortgage, you are protected from increases in the bank’s rate and the European base rate. 

Variable-rate Mortgage

On the other hand, a variable-rate mortgage adapts to the bank’s rate and European base rate, meaning you can end up paying different amounts each month. This type of mortgage is connected to the EURIBOR. Mortgage lenders typically revise monthly payments every six months according to this rate.

The EURIBOR is “a daily reference rate, published by the European Money Markets Institute, based on the averaged interest rates at which Eurozone banks offer to lend unsecured funds to other banks in the euro wholesale money market.” 

With an increase in interest rates, this frightens many families. However, it is still the most common type of mortgage. 

Mortgage Costs in Portugal

There are a few mortgage-related fees that you might need to pay:

• Deed registration: 1%
• Mortgage arrangement: 1%
• Mortgage administration: 1%
• Non-refundable commitment fee: around €600
• Survey and appraisal: €500–€800
• Legal fees (optional): at least €1,000

There are also taxes and other payments to be paid. Therefore, on top of the cost of the property, you’ll also need to pay anywhere from around 6-10% extra for other buying costs.

Necessary Documents

You will need to submit multiple documents when applying for a mortgage. You will then need to submit additional documents depending on your employment type. Here are the required documents for all:

• Passport copy
• Portuguese tax identification number
• Proof of address
• Proof of income
• Bank statements for the last three months
• Proof of savings
• Bank reference letter
• Mortgage statement
• Sales contract or CPCV (contract of commitment to purchase property)

If you are employed, you will also need to submit last year’s tax returns, the last three months’ payslips, and a letter from your employer.

As a self-employed person holding at least a 20% share in a limited company, you will need last year’s tax returns, business bank statements of the last three months, and a balance sheet for the last three years.

If you are neither employed nor self-employed under similar terms and have different incomes, don’t worry. You can show various documents such as pension income of the last three months, tenancy agreements of rental apartments, proof of investments, and more.

Mortgage Conditions

Once you apply for a mortgage, a bank will send you their conditions. The conditions could differ whether you get a fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgage. These include:

• Loan amount (determined by many factors, including your income, debts, employment, and property valuation)
• Interest rate
• Mortgage years (most for non-residents are between 25 to 30 years, keep in mind that mortgages for those over 70 are uncommon right now)
• Insurance prices (you will need to purchase life insurance and home insurance)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Portuguese Mortgage

1. Request an initial assessment 

The first step to take is to request an initial assessment from a bank or mortgage broker. You can do this even before you find your dream property with your budget in mind. It’s advisable to request initial assessments from multiple brokers so that you can then select the best conditions. This preliminary analysis is a no-obligation estimate and is free.

2. Get a mortgage quote

If you are happy with an initial assessment and wish to proceed, you will then receive a full mortgage quote. There can be a charge for this official quote. 

3. Submit the application form and documents

Your next step will be to submit the application form and all the necessary documents, such as employment contract, proof of income, etc. 

4. Valuation report

After submitting your documents and having a formal mortgage offer, the bank will need to go to the property for the valuation. Hopefully, there are no issues with the property or its value, so you will receive the loan amount you would have hoped for. 

5. Transfer funds and final arrangements

It’s time for the final arrangements! The funds to purchase a home should be transferred to the necessary account. After the funds are available, the mortgage lender will arrange the completion date officially. 

6. Completion at the notary

It’s that special day! With all the funds in the correct account, the mortgage lender will thus arrange the payment for you. You will sign the property and mortgage deeds in front of a Portuguese Notary. You will pay the fees and taxes yourself. You will then become the owner of your new property!

Buying Real Estate in Portugal

Should you buy a house in Portugal?

Pros

• Arguably olid investment, Portugal has great rental potential.
• Low cost of living in comparison to other European countries.
• Moderately warm climate.
•  In 2019, Global Finance magazine ranked Portugal fourth among the safest countries in the world.
• High-quality education and healthcare services
• A large number of English speakers, so not necessary to learn Portuguese (however, this is helpful).

Cons

• No central heating in most houses in Portugal.
• Bureaucratic systems, things get done slowly and sometimes inefficiently in Portugal, so it might take longer than expected to buy property.

Taxes for Buying Property in Portugal

So you have obtained a mortgage that covers 65% of a property’s cost. Is your only cost the other 35%? Not at all! Beyond your deposit, you will need to pay certain property taxes to the government, regardless of your mortgage costs. You’ll need to calculate each of them, which a Portugal property tax calculator is helpful with.

Property owners have to pay three types of taxes: Municipal Property Tax (IMI), Property Purchase Tax (IMT), and Tax on Stamps (IS).

1. Municipal Property Tax (IMI)

The IMI translates to Imposto Municipal Sobre Imóveis and will be different in each municipality. This money is used to maintain public infrastructures in municipalities.

The IMI rates usually range from 0.3% to 0.45%. To calculate the IMI, you multiply the value of the tax asset by the IMI rate. You must pay the IMI every year.

For example, if your property is valued at €500,000 and you live in the municipality of Cascais with a rate of 0.34%, then your yearly IMI is €1,700.

You can be exempted from the IMI if your annual taxable income of the whole household does not surpass €15,295.

2. Property Purchase Tax (IMT)

The IMT is also known as the Imposto Municipal Sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis. This tax is paid when a house is bought in Portugal, so it is a one-time payment for buying a house.

The rate of the IMT will depend on the type and value of the property, as well as whether this property is a principal or secondary residence. You must pay for this before you buy a house.

This is how you calculate the IMT = value of the deed or net worth tax (the larger amount) x rate – tax reduction.

You won’t have to pay IMT if you buy a house in mainland Portugal and the price doesn’t exceed €92,407. IMT usually will range between 2% to 8%, depending on the case. However, properties acquired by companies located in a “blacklisted jurisdiction” pay 10% for IMT.

3. Tax on Stamps (IS)

You’ll also need to pay an Imposto de Selo, a stamp tax, contracts, loans, documents, and more. The rate also changes depending on the property and task, but it is usually between 0.4% and 0.8%. For example, for a mortgage of five years, the stamp duty tax is 0.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mortgages in Portugal

Can a foreigner get a mortgage in Portugal?

A foreigner can get a mortgage in Portugal. However, non-residents will only be offered loans up to 65-75% of the value of the home or the sale price (whichever is lower).

Can you apply for the Portugal Golden Visa with a mortgage?

You cannot take out a loan or mortgage from a Portuguese financial institution to pay for your investment for the Portugal Golden Visa. However, you can take out a loan from a bank outside of Portugal.

Is it easy to get a mortgage in Portugal?

It is not necessarily difficult to get a mortgage in Portugal as a non-resident, but this will depend on your income and employment status. Ideally, loan payments should amount to around 30% of your monthly salary or less.

Does your age affect your chance of getting a mortgage in Portugal?

Yes! The best age to get a mortgage in Portugal is between 25 to 55 years. The limits depend on the bank, but the maximum age tends to be 75 years old.

You might have heard a lot about Cascais, known as the Portuguese Riviera. The municipality of Cascais is one of the richest in the country, as well as one of the most expensive to live in.

But the cost of living in Cascais is worth it to many. A 30-minute train ride away from Lisbon, Cascais offers a suburban lifestyle close to parks, beaches, and some of the best restaurants in the country. 

But how much does it actually cost to live in Cascais? Let’s take a look at the monthly budget for an expat, digital nomad, and family of four in Cascais.

Travel Guide to Cascais

Cost of Living in Cascais for an Expat 

The monthly budget for an expat in Cascais, Lisbon is at least €1630 if you want to live in the center. Your monthly costs can be lower if you find a rental outside the center, saving around 300 euros.

A one-bedroom apartment in the center costs around €1060. Outside of the center, it can cost anywhere between €750 to €800. 

A monthly transportation pass is around €40 or less. In the center of Cascais, you can take a 30-minute train to Lisbon. There are also buses all around Cascais.  

Utilities cost around €130, including phone data and cable TV.

For exploring Cascais, eating out at your favorite restaurants, and exploring the nightlife, budget around €200 a month. You can easily spend less or more, depending on your lifestyle. 

Groceries for a single person average out at around €50 a week.

Cost of Living in Cascais for a Digital Nomad

The cost of living in Cascais for a digital nomad is at least €1190 a month. This is the case if you sleep in a hostel’s dorm and cook most of your meals. If not, expect to need €3,000+ a month in Cascais. 

How did we get from around €1000 to over €3000? If you opt for the budget option of a shared dorm in a hostel, expect only to need to pay €20 a night, so around €600 a month. However, a private Airbnb would cost you at least €2000.

Renting a desk at a co-working place in Cascais costs around €150. Transportation costs around €40. 

Budget at least €200 for leisure such as eating out, bars, and tourists to discover the island.

Food can easily max out your monthly budget. If you want to save and have a kitchen at your disposal, a weekly shop shouldn’t cost more than €50.

However, if you plan to eat out, an affordable meal is around €10. This would set you back around €1000 in a month.

Cost of Living in Cascais for a Family of Four 

Having kids is expensive, and it’s particularly expensive in Cascais. Expect to spend at least €3600 a month for a family of four in Cascais.

However, if you need health insurance for the entire family and your two kids will attend private school, you will spend over €3800.

A three-bedroom apartment in the center of Cascais will set you back around €2200. However, prices can go up to €2700, depending on the apartment type and amenities. If you want to save money, opting for an apartment outside the center can save you around €900.

Budget around €160 a month for monthly transport passes. However, it is more convenient for a family of four to own a car and drive around the island. Fuel will cost you anywhere between €150 and €250 a month. 

Utilities cost around €160 and include electricity, heating, water, etc. However, this can be much higher in the winter or depending on your family’s consumption.

Groceries for a family of four in Cascais should cost around €150 a week, so budget at least €600 a month.

If you need to purchase health insurance for the whole family, this will cost you at least €200 a month.

However, you might be eligible to use access to healthcare for free, even if you are not an EU resident. Non-EU citizens are only entitled to use the public health system if they are employed and pay social security in Portugal, having to be registered as legal residents as well.

While public schools are free, international private schools can cost anywhere between €6000 and €2000 a year, depending on the establishment and age of your child. You could pay around €4000 a month for two kids just for education. 

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