Finding an Expert Real Estate Agent in Lisbon, Portugal

Turn your real estate dreams in Portugal into a reality with professional guidance. A real estate agent in Lisbon is an expert in the local property market who can provide personalized support for buying, selling, and managing rental property.

Lisbon’s property market is expected to outpace several European markets by the end of 2025, especially in the luxury residential sector. This growth is estimated to surpass top tourist destinations, such as Paris, Monaco, Geneva, and Milan.

At the forefront is a new generation of millionaire investors, drawn to the city’s strategic location, infrastructure, safety, and affordable living costs. Top picks for foreign investors are neighborhoods like Santos, Graça, and Avenidas Novas.

If this coastal capital city in Portugal is on your radar, then this guide can help. It provides in-depth knowledge on working with a real estate agent or a buyer’s agent and the latest statistics on Lisbon’s real estate market.

Read more about:

• How can a real estate agent in Lisbon help you?
• Lisbon Real Estate Agent Fees
• Real Estate Agent vs Buyer’s Agent
• How to find the best real estate agent in Lisbon?
• Lisbon Property Buying Process for Foreigners

How can a real estate agent in Lisbon help you?

Portugal is the number one destination for retirees across the world, according to the Global Retirement Report by Global Citizen Solutions. Lisbon is one of Europe’s top ten cities for rising luxury home prices, with property values expected to climb 4.5 percent, upscaling major tourist destinations like Paris, Geneva, and Monaco.

Buying a house in Lisbon is cheaper than in cities like London, but more expensive than in most Portuguese towns. Prices average €6,173 per square meter in central areas, reflecting strong demand from property investors, tourism growth, and limited housing supply.

A real estate agent in Lisbon helps you by finding suitable properties, negotiating prices, and guiding you through legal and tax requirements. They provide market insights, arrange viewings, and handle after-sales needs. Their local expertise ensures a smooth buying process and better investment decisions.

Below are the different ways a real estate agency can assist you in finding your dream property.

Market expertise

Most residential neighborhoods in Lisbon feature historical centers, glamorous districts, and waterfront properties. There are many different properties for sale in Lisbon, including modern apartments with natural light, luxury villas, townhouses, waterfront properties, and condominiums.

An experienced real estate advisor or buyer’s agent, such as Goldcrest, will have access to an extensive local real estate market database and can provide a shortlist of the best potential properties based on your requirements.

If you plan to invest in a property to boost your rental income, a good agent will save you a lot of hassle by finding the perfect property and location for investment and assisting with finding tenants to lease the property.

Personalized property matching

The real estate market in Portugal is fragmented, which means there is no one website, such as Zillow Portugal, where you can find all the properties available for purchase or rentals listed. This can make it tricky to navigate the Portuguese market, particularly if you do not speak Portuguese or are unfamiliar with procedures.

The role of Lisbon estate agents is crucial in the property-buying process, but it’s essential to select services tailored to your needs.

You’ll need to work with someone with in-depth knowledge of the local real estate market where you’re looking to buy your home so that you can be suitably matched with properties that genuinely cater to your needs.

Navigating legal and financial processes

Real estate agencies may recommend you to a real estate lawyer in Lisbon. That’s because there are many legal implications when buying or selling property.

They will also be able to recommend banks to provide a smooth process for securing a mortgage to finance the property.

Benefits of local expertise for international buyers

Working with a local agency can offer many advantages for property investors. For example:

• They make home searching easier. Portugal doesn’t have a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), where you can research the national or local property market like you can in the United States. Instead, a local agent will have access to properties for sale in a specific area across the entire real estate industry.
• They filter potential buyers in advance. Since neither the seller nor the buyer has time to waste, an agent will handpick the visitors who are the most compatible buyers for the proposed property.
• They create a rewarding presentation. An agent will present the property in a way that is desirable for the buyer. They can create a complete presentation with optimized photos, in-person, or virtual tours.
• They help with post-sale tasks. An agent can connect you with people with local expertise to help with things like setting up utilities, finding trusted contractors for renovations, or securing a property manager if you plan to rent out your new property.
• They provide high-quality real estate advice. Your agent provides honest projects for different objectives, like financial models of investment properties, rules around short-term rentals, or questions about renting vs buying property in Lisbon. You can consult with an independent real estate lawyer and a tax advisor for more unbiased advice, like legal counsel or tax implications.

Real Estate Agent Versus a Buyer's Agent

A traditional real estate agent works for the seller. Their main job is to negotiate a higher price for the property they sell, so they can earn more from the commission. They are hired and paid by the seller.

A buyer’s agent works for the buyer. Their main job is to find your dream property and negotiate the lowest possible price. You hire them to protect your interests throughout the purchase process.

Both agents have an in-depth knowledge of the local market. To help you understand the key differences between working with a buyer’s agent and a real estate agency, we have created a comprehensive guideline showcasing each option’s advantages and potential drawbacks.

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How to find the best real estate agent in Lisbon?

Now that we know a bit more about the value of professional services in relation to real estate purchases in Lisbon, Portugal, here are a few tips to help you find a top real estate agent in the Portuguese capital.

Identifying your real estate needs

Whether you’re seeking a Lisbon real estate agent with property management services or a real estate agent in Cascais to help you purchase property on the Portuguese Riviera, there is an excellent selection of quality professionals available.

However, defining your requirements is essential to finding Lisbon property agents who suit you best. You will need to decide on the specifics of your dream property—size, strategic location, budget, and style. You will also need a clear idea of how you plan to finance the purchase.

Once you know exactly what you want and need, it will be easier to choose the best property professional for you.

Searching for agents

Today, most, if not all, companies have an online presence, and a quick search for “estate agents Lisbon” will provide you with an overview of your options.

You should be able to find online comments and reviews from past clients detailing their experience with a company and agent. You can ask for recommendations, check reviews, and contact agents aligned with your criteria to start securing your dream home.

You can also ask family members, friends, or colleagues for referrals to a reputable realtor in Lisbon that they have used before.

Evaluating potential agents

When deciding to move forward with the right Lisbon real estate agents, communicate with them directly. Talk to real estate agencies about the kind of real estate services they provide, the kind of services you need, and their expertise in Portugal’s property market.

You should also ensure that the real estate advisor has an AMI license number, which is needed for any agency to conduct business in Portugal.

Lisbon Property Buying Process for Foreigners

Property acquisition in Lisbon is accessible for foreign buyers. The process typically takes a few weeks to a few months (about one to four months). This includes property search, making an offer, signing the Promissory Contract, securing financing, and completing the final Deed of Sale. However, timelines can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Apply for a Portuguese tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF) at a local tax office, a Citizen’s Shop (Loja do Cidadão), or through an online service or a lawyer who can act as your fiscal representative.

Step 2: Contact an agency and hire an English-speaking realtor in Portugal. You can also consult with a lawyer or a tax advisor.

Step 3: Find your dream property and perfect place to invest in any Lisbon neighborhood.

Step 4: Make your offer and propose a price through your agent.

Step 5: Sign the CPCV (Promissory Contract) with your deposit.

Step 6: Sign the final Deed of Sale (Escritura) at a notary, preferably with a lawyer, for an official transfer of ownership.

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.