Chiado
Lisbon
€8,500/ sqm
+6.2% YoY
Lisbon's most prestigious downtown district. Walking distance to everything, strong short-let demand, premium pricing.
Foreign ownership
Fully allowed
No restrictions on non-residents
Avg price / sqm
€5,775
Nationwide median (urban core)
Transaction timeline
60–90 days
From offer to deed
Total closing costs
≈ 6–9%
IMT + stamp + notary + lawyer
How to buy
Three steps from offer to keys
A typical Portuguese transaction takes 60–90 days. Here's how the time breaks down.
- 1Week 1
Reserve & due diligence
Sign a reservation agreement, obtain your Portuguese tax number (NIF), and instruct a lawyer to verify title, debts, and licences at the land registry.
- 2Weeks 2–3
Promissory contract (CPCV)
Signed in front of a notary with a 10–30% deposit. The contract locks in price and timeline, with double-deposit penalties if either party walks away.
- 3Weeks 4–12
Final deed & registration
Pay IMT and stamp duty, sign the public deed, register the property at the Conservatória, and you receive the keys. Most deals close inside 60–90 days.
What it costs
Costs to budget for
One-time costs at purchase, then recurring annual costs while you own.
One-time closing costs
IMT (transfer tax)
Higher bracket for non-residents
0–8% sliding scale
Stamp duty
0.8% of price
Notary & registration
€800–1,200
Lawyer fee
1–1.5% + VAT
Total typical closing
≈ 1.5–2% on a €500k home
€7,500–10,300
Annual ownership costs
IMI (municipal tax)
Tax value, not market price
0.3–0.45% of VPT
AIMI (over €600k)
Wealth surcharge on high-value real estate
0.7–1%
Building / condominium
€600–2,000 / yr
Insurance
€150–400 / yr
Total typical annual
Plus utilities
€1,500–4,000
Where to buy
Neighbourhoods worth knowing
A starting set across Lisbon, the coast, and Porto. Prices are per square metre, growth is year-on-year.
Alcântara
Lisbon
€5,200/ sqm
+8.1% YoY
Riverside neighbourhood on the up. New developments, LX Factory, good metro links, room for capital growth.
Cascais
Lisbon coast
€4,713/ sqm
+5.4% YoY
Coastal town favoured by international families. Strong rental demand year-round, international schools, beach lifestyle.
Miragaia
Porto
€4,100/ sqm
+7.8% YoY
UNESCO-protected riverside parish in Porto. Period buildings, lower entry price than Lisbon, fast-growing rental market.
Living there
Cost of living, language & residency
What day-to-day life looks like — relevant whether you're renting, buying, or investing.
Language
Portuguese
English widely spoken in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve
Basic budget
€740 / mo
Single person, outside city centre
Comfortable
€1,200–1,800 / mo
Couple, central Lisbon or Porto
Healthcare
Public + private
SNS for residents; private from €40 / mo
International schools
27 in Lisbon
British, American, French, German curricula
Visa routes
D7 · Digital Nomad · Golden Visa
Property no longer counts toward Golden Visa
FAQ
Common questions
Ready when you are
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