Mortgage in Portugal for foreigners

Making proper financial arrangements for purchasing a property in Portugal is essential. A mortgage should be one of the first things to consider before buying a property in Portugal.

As a foreigner or non-resident, if you are looking to buy property in Portugal and want to use a mortgage to finance the purchase, now is a good time because the banks are lending again thanks to the economic recovery and the solid real estate market.

In this article, we will talk about when to start thinking about mortgage in Portugal, the documentation required and the criteria you need to meet to be able to get financing for a property purchase in Portugal.

Mortgage in Portugal

Portugal has an outstanding reputation for welcoming ex-pats, and the conditions for getting a mortgage are somewhat straightforward.  In general, mortgages are the most common way to finance a property investment in Portugal. Both residents and non-residents can apply for a mortgage from Portuguese banks.

As per the date of this article, variable mortgage rates in Portugal start at 3.3% per year based on a 30% loan-to-value. Such rates may increase if you require more credit, say 60% or 70% loan to value. Alternatively, fixed rates are available at 4.1% for up to 5 years based on loan to value ratios of up to 70%.

Why should I take out a Portuguese loan?

If you already own a property in another country with sufficient equity, you may choose to take out an additional mortgage, or even a new one on that property to finance your purchase in Portugal.

However, conditions in Portugal improved over recent years, and there is increased interest from lenders in assisting foreigners with lending solutions.

Benefits of taking out a mortgage

The key benefit of taking out a Portuguese mortgage is that the lender will carry out legal checks on the property and arrange for a valuation to take place.

Another benefit is that should you decide to let your property in short- or long-term contracts, your rental income in euros may offset or cover the mortgage payments in euros from your Portuguese bank, which naturally hedge any currency risk. Should you decide to use non-euro mortgage facilities abroad, you would be exposed to foreign currency risks.

Some other benefits of getting a mortgage include:

• Mortgages have low rates
• Foreigners with no residency in Portugal can still get a mortgage from Portuguese banks
• Properties purchased on credit can be rented out without restrictions.
• Mortgage installments rates are generally low

At what stage should I apply for a mortgage in Portugal?

It is advisable to start the mortgage process as early as possible, even if you are not totally sure of the kind of property you want to buy. Starting the process early helps you to know what you can afford and how much you can access through credit financing. This way you streamline your property search and make quicker decisions on prices with the seller, and it may also help you negotiate the price as it will show you are a serious buyer.

Compare mortgages from different banks

The first thing to do is to compare banks. In Portugal, there are over 15 banks that provide different mortgage loans and credit to buy a house. Some of these banks include BBVA, Santander, Bankinter, Banco Best, Banco CTT and several others.

Each bank in Portugal has different criteria, and you may not necessarily be offered the most suitable loan, or the best deal available. You may also encounter difficulties with language barriers.

Our specialist team at Global Citizen Solutions can introduce you to an English-speaking banker to match your profile which will save you a lot of time, cost and hassle.

What types of mortgages are available in Portugal?

Fixed-rate mortgage

The fixed-rate mortgage basically allows borrowers to pay a constant rate for a certain period. It generally guards you against fluctuations in the European base rate. This rate is usually agreed upon with the financial institution when requesting financing. For some lending institutions, this rate is fixed for the entire life of the loan while for some other financial institution it is usually for a certain period during the life of the loan. If the latter is the case of the rate, then it reverts to a variable rate mortgage. Also, if you decide on early repayment you may be charged a fine on repaid capital.

Variable-rate mortgage

With this type of loan, your monthly payment fluctuates depending on the indexer (the index that is normally used in housing loans is EURIBOR). Over the repayment period, the monthly payments are usually revised every six months based on Euribor rates. Also, if you decide on early repayment you will be charged 0.5% on the repaid capital.

You should also know that the maximum loan-to-value mortgage in Portugal for non-residents is between 60% to 70% of the purchase price.

There’s also the option for a construction mortgage. You can usually borrow 50% to 60% of the combined costs of the land and construction, however, these mortgages are complex and specialist advice from a mortgage broker is advisable.

Mortgage in Portugal for retirees

As a retiree in Portugal, you can also get a mortgage in Portugal provided you have a regular pension income. You can also arrange a guarantor, which can be beneficial in terms of inheritance tax if they are also a part-owner of the property.

Mortgage in Portugal for businesses

It is also possible to get financing if the property you intend to buy is for commercial use, such as a restaurant or a shop. The maximum mortgage is usually 50% of the price (or valuation if lower).

How much do I need to deposit?

For a Portuguese mortgage, the minimum deposit is usually at least 30% of the purchase price for non-residents, because financing institutions provide only between 60% to 70% credit of the valuation price.

Mortgage Conditions

• Interest rate – the rate used for home loans in Portugal is Euribor after which the bank applies its margins.
• Terms of mortgage – most mortgages in Portugal for non-residents are between 25 to 30 years.
• Lending criteria – this usually depends on your financial position which is determined by your current income earnings, debts and employment history. Also considered here is the property valuation by the bank.
• Insurance – When contracting a mortgage loan, you will have to contract life insurance as well. In some cases, the banks usually require home insurance too.

Costs and fees for mortgages in Portugal

Cost of purchasing a house in Portugal

• Property tax (IMT) ranges from 2% to 8%
• Stamp Duty Tax (IMI) 0.8% of the price of the property
• €1,200 notary, registry, and tax office fees for property deeds
• €1,800 estimate of legal fees

Cost of taking out a mortgage in Portugal

• €290 Application fixed fee
• €280 Bank valuation fixed fee
• Stamp Duty Tax (IMI) 0.6% amount of mortgage
• €1,200 notary, registry and tax office fees for mortgage deeds

The application process begins with an initial approach to the bank or mortgage broker for a no-obligation estimate or preliminary analyses.

Following this initial assessment, the following process usually applies:

1. Mortgage quote: After the initial assessment, if you wish to proceed you will receive a full mortgage quote within 24-48 hours. There is normally a charge to prepare a formal quote.

2. Submit application forms: The next step after receiving a formal quote is to complete the relevant application form and submit the necessary supporting documents.

3. Mortgage offer: If the mortgage is approved, you will receive a formal offer. Your broker will confirm the conditions of the offer and assist with the proceedings.

4. Valuation report: Once you have received a formal mortgage offer the bank will carry out a valuation of the property. If the valuation is at least the agreed purchase price and there are no legal issues relating to the property, the date and details regarding completion of the property purchase will be confirmed.

5. Completion arrangements: The funds for the property purchase must be available and transferred to the appropriate account before the completion date. Once you have proven the

funds are available, the lender will proceed with the mortgage application and a completion date will be arranged.

6. Completion: The Portuguese mortgage lender will arrange payment. Once the property and mortgage deeds are signed in front of the Portuguese Notary and all the associated fees and taxes have been paid you become the official new owner of the property.

It is crucial that you provide all the most up-to-date documents at once to avoid delaying the process.

Talk to a specialist

The process of financing and buying a property in Portugal can seem complicated, which is why talking to a specialist can help. Our team at Global Citizen Solutions is here to help guide you seamlessly through the process. Click here to get in touch.

Documents required to get a mortgage in Portugal

If you are going to apply for a Portuguese mortgage, you may be asked to submit the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Tax identification number (NIF) in Portugal – you will need to register for a Portuguese tax number, though this doesn’t mean you will necessarily be a tax resident in Portugal and liable to pay income tax in the country
• Proof of income
• Bank statements – last 60 days of incoming and outgoing cash flow
• Recent utility bill
• Recent mortgage statement
• Proof of any savings or investment accounts
• Bank reference letter
• Property details – purchase commitment or sales contract

These documents vary depending on your employment status i.e. either employed, self-employed or retired.

If employed

• Last year tax returns
• Last three months’ payslips
• Reference letter from employer (a simple letter stating how long you have been working with the company and your gross annual salary, bonus, etc).

If self-employed (hold a 20% or more share in a limited company)

• Last year’s tax return
• Last three months of business bank statements
• 3 years of company profit & loss and balance sheet

Other income

• Confirmation of pension income for the last 3 months
• Copy of tenancy agreement for rental properties
• Last 3 months of statements showing rent received
• Copy of investment certificates

Also, depending on the level of risk assessment the bank may request additional documents.

Portuguese mortgage terminologies

When looking through your Portuguese mortgage contract below are some terminologies you should watch out for:

• TAEG: This is known as the Effective Annual Rate (EAR) in English. The EAR varies from bank to bank, so you should look at this when comparing the offers.
• EURIBOR: This the basic rate of interest used as a reference for setting the interest rate on home loans in Portugal. This is important especially on the variable mortgage, as it is indexed to the EURIBOR (usually in a 6-month period).
• MTIC: This represents the total amount that you will have to pay for the credit (it already includes the capital as well as the interest).

Who we are and how can we help

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens.

With offices in Portugal, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

Take the next step towards investing in Portugal and get in touch with our team of specialists today.

Frequently asked questions on mortgages in Portugal