Property Purchase Costs and Taxes in Portugal: The Complete 2026 Guide

IMT: the main property transfer tax

IMT (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis) is Portugal's property transfer tax, payable by the buyer before the deed. The taxable value is generally the higher of the purchase price and the property's taxable patrimonial value (VPT).

For a primary residence (habitação própria e permanente), the official 2026 progressive tax scale is as follows:

Up to €106,346: 0%

From €106,347 to €145,470: 2%, deductible €2,126.92

From €145,471 to €198,347: 5%, deductible €6,491.02

From €198,348 to €330,539: 7%, deductible €10,457.96

From €330,540 to €660,982: 8%, deductible €13,763.35

From €660,983 to €1,150,853: 6% flat rate

Above €1,150,853: 7.5% flat rate

The calculation formula is: property value × rate − deductible = IMT due. Example: for a property at €350,000 as a primary residence → 350,000 × 8% − €13,763.35 = €14,236.65 in IMT.

Special case: young first-time buyers (35 years old or under)

For buyers meeting the IMT Jovem conditions in mainland Portugal, the exemption is full up to €330,539. Above €330,539 and up to €660,982, the calculation uses an 8% rate and a deductible of €26,443.12. For an eligible purchase with a taxable value of €350,000, IMT is €1,556.88. The applicable conditions must also be met for the stamp duty exemption.

Imposto de Selo: stamp duty

Stamp duty on the purchase is normally 0.8% of the taxable value, subject to applicable exemptions, including IMT Jovem. It uses the same taxable value as IMT. For a taxable value of €350,000, the ordinary amount before any exemption is €2,800.

If you are taking out a mortgage, additional stamp duty applies on the loan amount - 0.6% for loans over 5 years - generally factored into the total cost of the loan.

Notary fees

In Portugal, notary fees are freely set by each office and generally range from €500 to €1,000, regardless of the property value. Unlike in France, they are not calculated as a percentage of the sale price, making them far more accessible for high-value acquisitions.

Land registry fees

Registering the title deed in your name at the Conservatória do Registo Predial costs between €250 and €350. If you take out a mortgage, additional mortgage registration fees of approximately €142 apply.

Legal fees

Engaging a lawyer is not a legal requirement in Portugal - but it is an indispensable precaution. Your lawyer carries out legal due diligence, negotiates and drafts the CPCV, and secures the entire transaction through to the final notarial deed.

I offer fixed fees tailored to each situation, depending on the complexity of the file, whether the client is physically present or requires a power of attorney, and whether bank financing is involved. Contact me for a personalised quote.

Real estate agent commission: what you don't pay

In Portugal, the real estate agent's commission is entirely paid by the seller. It typically represents 3% to 5% of the sale price, plus 23% VAT. You do not need to factor it into your acquisition budget - a notable difference from the French market.

Bank financing: additional costs to plan for

If you take out bank financing, additional fees apply. Banks charge between €500 and €1,200 to process the financing application. These costs include: the application review committee fee, the property valuation commission, account maintenance fees, and bank cheque issuance fees for payment of the purchase price.

In addition to these fees, stamp duty applies on the loan amount (0.6% for loans over 5 years), as mentioned above.

Let's talk about your project

Before making an offer, it is essential to know your exact total budget. I help you anticipate all costs based on your personal situation - primary or non-primary residence, bank financing, physical presence or remote purchase - and structure your acquisition in the best possible conditions. Book a first consultation with me: it's free and without obligation.