Investment property: Portugal
Portugal: we match a property to your budget and goal, check the paperwork and close the purchase for you.
Portugal is one of Europe's most international property markets: Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve have attracted foreign buyers for decades, and there are no restrictions on purchases by non-residents. What matters is the current context: the famous golden visa, which since 2012 had made Portuguese real estate a symbol of investment migration, is no longer granted for buying property - the real estate route was closed in October 2023, and the program survives mainly through investment funds. The market itself has not stopped working: it remains liquid, transparent and among the most sought-after in Europe, and a residence status, if you want one, is obtained on separate grounds such as the D7 visa.
We select a property for your goal - rental, capital preservation or a home to live in, verify the legal status through the registries and municipal records, manage the transaction with our locally licensed partner and notary, and help with the NIF tax number, a bank account and the ownership structure. If your goal is a status in Portugal, we will explain honestly that buying property no longer provides it, and help you build a combination of a suitable visa route and a purchase as separate but coordinated steps.
Property on Madeira and the buyer's taxes
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, and buying here follows the general Portuguese rules. Since May 2026 a non-resident pays 7.5% transfer tax on the full price of a home from the first euro, and an owner pays the municipal property tax every year. The golden visa has not been granted for buying a home since October 2023, so a purchase on Madeira is considered for living, letting or as part of a move on other grounds.
More on taxes on our Portugal taxes page.
Annual owner taxes
- Municipal property tax - 0.3% to 0.45% of the cadastral value of urban housing a year, set by the municipality.
- Additional tax on high-value housing - for individuals with total cadastral value above EUR 600,000, about $672,240, from 0.7% on the excess.
- Stamp duty on purchase - 0.8% of the price.
- Rental income of a non-resident is taxed in Portugal at 25%.
Dollar amounts use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, rounded up.
Can a Russian citizen buy property in Portugal
Yes. Portugal does not restrict home purchases by nationality or residence, and no permit is needed for the deal. A Portuguese tax number is required, and a non-resident from outside the EU obtains it through a tax representative. Payment is non-cash only, and the notary or the one-stop registration service records where the money came from.
For Russians the main difficulty is the bank. EU sanctions rules prohibit banks from accepting deposits above 100,000 euros, about $113,000, from Russian citizens without an EU residence permit. So payment is planned before the deposit. Portugal has not issued golden visas for home purchases since October 2023: residence is obtained separately, through the passive income visa or the digital nomad visa, and the remaining golden visa options are covered on the page Portugal golden visa.
Apartment prices by city
| Where | Median price per square metre | 60 m² apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | ~$6,000 | ~$360,000 |
| Cascais | ~$5,700 | ~$340,000 |
| Algarve | ~$3,800 | ~$230,000 |
| Madeira | ~$3,300 | ~$200,000 |
| Porto and suburbs | ~$2,900 | ~$180,000 |
| All of Portugal | ~$2,700 | ~$160,000 |
According to Statistics Portugal, in the first quarter of 2026 the median price of homes sold rose 19.8% year on year. Foreigners pay more than locals on average: they more often buy new homes in city centres and by the sea. New builds cost more than resale homes, and in Lisbon and Porto a flat with parking is a separate search: such flats are scarce and noticeably dearer. Districts and examples are in buying an apartment in Portugal.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Buyer costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax for a non-resident | 7.5% of the home price from the first euro |
| Stamp duty | 0.8% of the price |
| Deal and registration at the one-stop service without a mortgage | ~$425 |
| Tax representative and legal checks | at their rates |
Example: a flat for 300,000 euros, about $340,000. Transfer tax is about $26,000, stamp duty about $2,700 and registration about $425. Total costs are about $30,000. The 7.5% rate does not apply to a buyer who has previously been a Portuguese tax resident.
Owner taxes: rent and sale
- Rent. A non-resident's income from letting Portuguese housing is taxed at 25%.
- Sale. Since 2023 a non-resident, like a resident, pays tax on half the gain, with the rate set on the scale taking worldwide income into account.
- Expensive homes. If the owner's total residential cadastral value exceeds 600,000 euros, an annual tax from 0.7% applies to the excess.
In 2023 Russia suspended the main articles of its double tax treaty with Portugal, so tax on rent is paid in Portugal and the credit in Russia does not work in full. A Russian tax resident declares the income and notifies the tax office of the Portuguese bank account.
How to buy property in Portugal remotely
A Portuguese deal can be done without travelling. The buyer issues a power of attorney before a notary in the country of residence with an apostille and a translation into Portuguese, and the representative obtains the tax number, checks the register extract and signs the deed at a notary or the one-stop service. The money goes to the seller's or the notary's account through a bank.
In Portugal a sale deed can be authenticated not only by a notary but also by a lawyer or the registry service, which makes it easier to schedule the deal. After registration the owner becomes liable for the municipal property tax: notices arrive in the tax portal account, and the tax representative keeps track of deadlines for a non-resident.
In person you usually come to open a Portuguese bank account and later for residence, if needed. From deposit to registration usually takes one to two months, longer for new builds.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Portugal?
Does buying property grant residency in Portugal?
Where do we start?
What taxes apply when buying property on Madeira?
Does buying property on Madeira give residence?
Can a Russian citizen buy property in Portugal?
How much does an apartment in Portugal cost in 2026?
What tax does a non-resident pay when buying a home in Portugal?
Can you buy property in Portugal remotely?
Investing in property in Portugal?
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