Buying or selling a property requires a series of procedures and the gathering of essential documents to ensure a legal and transparent transaction. This article provides an overview of the documentation required to buy a property in Portugal.
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO BUYERS
1. National buyers
- Citizen Card or Identity Card, and NIF (tax identification number);
- Documents proving marital status and marriage regime;
- Proof of habitual residence;
- Proof of profession;
- Proof of Portuguese bank account (IBAN) to be used for the purchase.
If the buyer is a legal entity: legal entity card, commercial certificate, or power of attorney.
2. Foreign buyers
The first step is to obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF), which can be obtained from the tax office, where you will need to provide proof of identity and proof of address to apply for one. This tax number will also be required to open a Portuguese bank account and to connect water, electricity, telephone, etc. meters.
Foreigners residing outside the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein can only apply for a NIF through a tax representative. A person with Portuguese residence or citizenship can become a tax representative for a foreigner—this can be a lawyer, an accountant, or a foreign friend. The tax representative must be present when the foreigner submits their documents. In addition, correspondence and passwords for accessing the Finance Portal will be sent to the tax representative's address.
- Valid passport or Citizen Card;
- Proof of residence, profession, and bank account in Portugal.
3. Buyers using financing
- Proof of income (last three pay slips);
- Last year's IRS tax return and settlement note;
- Bank statements for the last 6 months;
- Declaration of financial commitments (loans/financial obligations);
- Declaration of contractual employment relationship issued by the employer.
SELLERS' AND PROPERTY DOCUMENTS
1. Seller Identification Documents
To begin the process of selling a property, sellers must provide their identification documents, which normally include their Citizen Card or Identity Card and Taxpayer Number. In the case of a company, the Commercial Registration Certificate must be presented.
2. Property Registration Document
The Property Registration Book is a document that shows the tax and registration status of the property, including relevant information such as its location, description, areas, identification of the owners, and property value. This document is necessary to calculate the taxes associated with the purchase, such as the Municipal Tax on Onerous Property Transfers (IMT) and Stamp Duty.
3. Updated Permanent Property Registration Certificate
- The Permanent Land Registry Certificate is a document issued by the Land Registry Office that provides information on the legal status of the property, including:
- Current ownership;
- Description of the property;
- Existence of mortgages or encumbrances;
- Other rights or encumbrances that may affect the property.
SELLERS' AND PROPERTY DOCUMENTS
1. Seller Identification Documents
To begin the process of selling a property, sellers must provide their identification documents, which normally include their Citizen Card or Identity Card and Taxpayer Number. In the case of a company, the Commercial Registration Certificate must be presented.
2. Property Registration Document
The Property Registration Book is a document that shows the tax and registration status of the property, including relevant information such as its location, description, areas, identification of the owners, and property value. This document is necessary to calculate the taxes associated with the purchase, such as the Municipal Tax on Onerous Property Transfers (IMT) and Stamp Duty.
3. Updated Permanent Property Registration Certificate
The Permanent Land Registry Certificate is a document issued by the Land Registry Office that provides information on the legal status of the property, including:
- Current ownership;
- Description of the property;
- Existence of mortgages or encumbrances;
- Other rights or encumbrances that may affect the property.
7. Property Floor Plan
The property floor plan is a document that provides detailed information about all areas of the property. It is essential for providing accurate information to buyers, especially if they are seeking financing for the purchase of the property.
8. Housing Technical Data Sheet (FTH)
This sheet contains detailed information about the technical and functional characteristics of the building and is only required for properties built after March 2004. It provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and characteristics of the property, which can be valuable for buyers who want to better understand what they are purchasing.
9. Distrate
If there is a mortgage associated with the property, the Distrate proves that the mortgage associated with the property has been paid off. It is issued by the bank upon request made 10 business days in advance.
If there are no debts: The statement must explicitly mention that there are no outstanding debts.
If you need help finding a property, don't hesitate to contact UrbiSeg Imobiliária. We will be happy to help!
Source: https://www.maxcidadela.com/