Barbara Queiróz Updated: December 9, 2025
Backed by increasing property prices and high rental yields, cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve provide multiple opportunities for foreign buyers. Working with a reputable Portugal real estate lawyer ensures that you and your family receive legal guidance whether you are selling, buying, or leasing a property.
Lawyers who specialize in real estate matters work with document preparation and case representation to accommodate various legal needs, such as property transactions, title transfers, and dispute management. You receive comprehensive legal support, which includes reviewing the terms of a mortgage agreement, legal guidance on property taxes, and estate planning.
If you are moving to a new country or planning to invest or rent in Portugal, it can feel overwhelming to find the best legal experts in the local area. But we are here to help. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of working with a real estate lawyer, how to find one, and questions to ask during your first consultation.
Stick around to read about:
Key Takeaways of Working With a Portugal Real Estate Lawyer
- Legal representation is not mandatory in Portugal. However, foreign nationals can greatly benefit from specialized non-resident administrative support due to the complex due diligence requirements.
- Average lawyer fees vary from €1,500 to €3,500 for standard transactions, excluding Value Added Tax (VAT).
- The main responsibilities of a real estate lawyer are to review contracts, check titles, verify taxes, and ensure the property is free of debts or illegal construction. They can also help you apply for a NIF in Portugal.
- Most US buyers choose to close on their Portuguese real estate without being present. They authorize a representative via a Power of Attorney to sign the final deeds on their behalf, either in the US or at the Portuguese Consulate.
- The lawyer is your personal advocate who protects your interests, while a notary is a neutral public official who protects public interest and follows local laws.
Do I need a real estate lawyer to buy property in Portugal?
You are not legally required to hire a real estate lawyer in Portugal. Still, legal representation is strongly recommended, especially for foreign buyers who may not be familiar with local laws or the complex due diligence process.
A qualified lawyer ensures the property meets all the legal and planning requirements before you sign any documents. The lawyer must be registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) to have full rights to provide legal consultation, draft contracts, represent clients in legal proceedings, and appear before courts.
Lawyer vs notary – What’s the difference, and who does what?
In Portugal, a real estate lawyer represents you and protects your interests throughout the property-buying process. A notary, on the other hand, is a public official who formalizes transactions in accordance with Portuguese law.
The table below outlines the differences between a real estate lawyer and a notary.
Responsibility | Real estate lawyer | Notary |
Service | Works exclusively for the buyer or seller. | Acts for the state or public interest. |
Main goal | Protects the client's interests and mitigates legal and financial risk. | Verifies documents, ensure legality, and tax compliance. |
Due diligence | Conducts full legal checks on debts, ownership, permits, and zoning laws. | Verifies that the legal documents presented are valid and complete. |
Contracts | Drafts, reviews, and negotiates the Promissory Contract (CPCV) and the final deed. | Reads aloud the final deed (Escritura) at signing. |
Tax role | Calculates and ensures payment of all taxes, such as IMT or Stamp Duty. | Collects and verifies the IMT and Stamp Duty payment before signing. |
What are the responsibilities of a Portugal real estate lawyer?
Real estate lawyers specialize in Portuguese property law and serve as legal representatives during property transactions. They have in-depth knowledge of the real estate market, such as local zoning laws, building licenses, and tax regulations.
Their role includes verifying ownership and confirming the property is free of debts, mortgages, or liens by checking with the Land Registry (Conservatória do Registo Predial) and tax records (Caderneta Predial).
A Portugal real estate lawyer is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating all contractual documents. For example, they define the terms, payments, and penalties of the Promissory Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPCV). They manage the final deed of sale (Escritura), which is signed in front of a notary.
If you are a non-resident, they can be granted a Power of Attorney (Procuração) to sign documents on your behalf, so you don’t have to take multiple trips to Portugal.
Check our comprehensive guide to Portugal real estate investment
Why work with real estate lawyers in Portugal?
Having a legal expert by your side when navigating Portuguese law is essential. Alongside clarifying legal complexities throughout the process, they offer several other benefits:
- Expertise and experience: Lawyers guide foreign investors on obtaining a NIF (Portuguese tax number), opening a bank account, and meeting all the requirements, including those who apply for a mortgage in Portugal.
- Protection against financial loss: They prevent major losses by checking for hidden debts. This due diligence keeps investors from buying a property with illegal construction or unresolved liabilities.
- Personalized legal advice: They provide strategic advice based on your specific case, helping protect your investment goals. They can transfer utility contracts and check for preemption rights. These rights determine if the local municipality, a tenant, or the owner of a neighboring property has a legal right to buy the property.
- Compliance assurance: They keep clients in the loop with changing regulations in Portuguese real estate law. For non-Portuguese speakers, they communicate clearly, often in English, to explain complex terms.
- Faster processing: Experienced lawyers streamline the purchase process by anticipating potential issues and communicating directly with immigration officials and the local tax authority (Autoridade Tributária).
- Managing transfer taxes and registration: The lawyer calculates and ensures IMT (Property Transfer Tax) and Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo) are paid before the final deed is signed. They consult with the local municipality (Câmara Municipal) to ensure all necessary requirements are met.
How to hire the best real estate lawyer in Portugal?
Below is a step-by-step guide to hiring a real estate lawyer in Portugal.
1. Start with referrals
To kickstart the process of working with a real estate lawyer in Portugal, ask for recommendations from your buyer’s agent or real estate agent. You can also consult with other expats who have purchased property in Portugal, or online expat communities.
Choose a law firm that is highly recommended. If you have any friends or acquaintances who have worked with a property lawyer in Portugal, ask for their input.
2. Check credentials and assess communication skills
Look for a reputable Portugal real estate law firm with good credentials that can provide comprehensive services tailored to your specific legal needs.
The right real estate lawyer should:
- Specialize in the Portugal real estate market
- Have experience working with foreign investors
- Have strong English and communication skills
- Have worked with real estate acquisitions, joint ventures, and development projects
- Can manage real estate investment funds
For example, check if the real estate lawyers are members of Global Law Experts (GLE) and registered with the Portuguese Bar Association. Global Citizen Solutions, our residency and citizenship partner, is a member of GLE.
3. Ask key questions before hiring
Before selecting a real estate team or seeking out real estate lawyers for property transactions, it is vital to ask essential questions to ensure they can provide the full range of real estate legal services you need. Whether you are working with a real estate lawyer in Lisbon or anywhere else in Portugal, make sure that they have specific expertise in the local area, including any legal regulations or restrictions.
Here are a couple of questions to ask your lawyer before hiring them:
- How long have you been practicing real estate law?
- Do you have experience with international buyers?
- Have you worked with residential property, commercial property, or land in Portugal?
- What property documents do I need to prepare before closing?
- What arrangements do I need to make to get a mortgage in Portugal?
- How can you help with due diligence and title verification?
- Can you explain the Purchase & Sale Agreement (CPCV)?
4. Review the Letter of Engagement
Once you decide to move forward with a property lawyer, they will provide you with an engagement letter that will outline their scope of services, timeline, payment terms, and legal fees. Make sure to review this document carefully before finalizing the hiring process.
Portugal Real Estate Attorney Fees
The cost to hire a real estate lawyer is often 1 percent to 2 percent of the property’s purchase price, excluding Value Added Tax (VAT), with a fee of about €1,500 to €3,500 for standard transactions. Experienced property lawyers can charge higher prices depending on the location and scope of service.
Although some services have a fixed flat fee, other lawyers can charge between €100 and €300 per hour. Costs for real estate services are typically higher in major cities, such as Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, and more affordable in smaller areas, including Guarda, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre.
List of Portugal Real Estate Legal Services
Below is a list of the standard legal services that a real estate lawyer with experience in the Portuguese legal market provides. Note that this list of real estate services is not exhaustive, and Portugal lawyers may be able to assist with other aspects of the property purchase and real estate financing.
Real Estate Law Firm Key Operations and Services |
Oversee the purchasing transaction and operations from start to finish |
Remote handling of bureaucratic operations |
Verify legal ownership and rights to sell the property |
Assess property construction history |
Draw up various contracts (Reservation Agreement, Promissory Contract, Final Deed) |
Review all your information to make sure it is all correct |
Provide Portuguese real estate legal advice |
Assist with understanding tax and inheritance law |
Ensure compliance with urban planning and environmental factors |
Protect client interests in contracts while meeting legal requirements |
Facilitate and operate notary acts (powers of attorney |
Aid in legal compliance with joint ventures |
Navigate legal intricacies of title searches |
Review and translate legal documents for non-Portuguese speakers |
Verify property title and ownership free from disputes or encumbrances |
Negotiate purchase terms reflecting buyer's interests |
Provide guidance on property-related taxes and obligations |
Guide through property registration and local regulations |
Assist in legal processes for residence or visa purposes |
Offer legal representation in dispute resolution |
Goldcrest: How We Can Help You
Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.
If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.
Why choose Goldcrest?
- Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
- Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
- Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
- Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
- Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working with a Portugal Real Estate Lawyer
What do real estate lawyers do in Portugal?
Real estate lawyers provide their clients with comprehensive legal services tailored to Portuguese real estate investments, encompassing home purchases and drafting contracts and leases in accordance with Portugal’s real estate laws.
How much do real estate lawyers cost in Portugal?
A lawyer in Portugal typically charges between €100 and €300 per hour, depending on their experience, location, and the complexity of the case. For property transactions, many real estate lawyers charge a fixed fee from €1,500 to €3,500, which covers standard packages such as contract review and property due diligence in Portugal.
Is it mandatory to hire a real estate lawyer in Portugal?
You are not required by law to hire a Portugal real estate attorney, lawyer, or a solicitor, but it is highly recommended to work with one. They can help you apply for a NIF in Portugal and provide in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese real estate market. They offer advice on property taxes, lease contracts, financial entities, and due diligence.
How can a real estate lawyer help you buy property in Portugal?
A layer can help with the buying process by reviewing contracts, ensuring compliance with Portuguese property laws, verifying property titles, and handling tax obligations. They also negotiate on your behalf, safeguard your legal rights, and manage the transaction process from start to finish. If you need an expert who specializes in a particular region, you can consult, for example, with a real estate lawyer in Algarve.
What specific services do real estate lawyers provide in Portugal?
Real estate lawyers in Portugal provide legal services. They perform due diligence by leveraging in-depth knowledge of Portuguese law to confirm ownership and clear debts. They liaise with the tax department and local councils to ensure compliance with urban planning, building permits, and licenses.
What are the main documents a lawyer will check during due diligence?
To protect the buyer, a real estate lawyer in Porto can analyze various property documents like:
- Tax registration certificate (Caderneta Predial)
- Land registry certificate (Certidão Permanente)
- Usage license (Licença de Utilização)
- Housing technical sheet (Ficha Técnica da Habitação or FTH)
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate lawyer in Portugal?
A real estate agent in Portugal is a sales and marketing professional who helps you find a property and negotiate a price. On the other hand, a real estate lawyer is a legal expert who is there to protect your interests and handle the legal aspects of the transaction, from due diligence to signing the final deed.
