To sell your property, you will need some official documents:

• Certidão de Registo Predial (Land registry certificate) This document is valid for 6 months and needs to be updated prior to a sale. It shows who the legal owner is and will show any mortgages, debts or liens. The Registo Predial will also note the construction area, plot size and other important details of your property. 
• Caderneta Predial (Tax office registration) The Caderneta Predial contains important financial information of the property and shows the taxable value from which we can calculate the annual property rates payable to the local council, as well as the construction and plot areas, address and ownership.
• Ficha Técnica de Habitação (Technical file) A detailed document on the property’s construction. It covers materials used, suppliers and lists the technical data of the construction process. Mandatory to present since 2004.
• Certificado Energético (Energy certificate) All properties must have an energy certificate to advertise and sell. This document is prepared by a certified engineer and is valid for 10 years. It gives the property an energy rating and outlines the energy components, their efficiency, and identifies solutions to reduce energy consumption. With that, it will also stipulate possible tax benefits and options for financing. 

To buy and sell property in Portugal, you need to have a tax number. This can be simply arranged at the local Finanças office (tax office), or your solicitor can request one on your behalf.

Once you’ve successfully negotiated a price, the lawyers take over and do their due diligence. If everything checks out, we move on to the final stages of selling your home. 

While the lawyers work out their due diligence, it can be useful to sign a reservation agreement with the buyers. Typically, this is a 5.000 euro reservation deposit, held in your lawyer’s account. This agreement takes the property of the market and shows you, the seller, the intent of the buyers to go through with the sale. It also gives the buyers the security that the property won’t be sold from under their noses.

The ‘Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda’, also known as ‘CPCV’ or in English as the ‘Promissory Contract’, is generally signed within 14 days of signing the reservation agreement. 

Upon signing the promissory contract, the buyers will pay a deposit of 10 to 20% of the purchase price, minus the reservation amount. The size of the deposit reflects the period between signing the promissory contract and the signing of the deed. Longer period means higher deposit. 

The CPCV is a legally binding contract, stipulating the agreed price, identities of both parties, the payment terms and other terms and conditions. 

Important to know: this contract is not mandatory, though highly recommended by ten Hoopen Realty. You will find that most real estate firms use this contract in their real estate transactions, and for good reason. Upon signing this agreement, the buyer commits to purchasing the property, ensuring you of the deal. If the buyers pull out, they would lose their deposit. Same goes for you, the seller. If you back out of the deal, you will have to pay back the deposit, plus the same percentage on top. 

The final step: signing the deeds at a Portuguese notary and handing over the keys to the new owners. You will receive copies of all the legal documents. After his, you’re all set to enjoy the next stage of your life; whether in Portugal or elsewhere.