The hidden costs of buying a home in Portugal (the 6–8% nobody budgets)

The most expensive mistake we see international buyers make is simple: assuming the listing price is what they'll pay. It isn't. Count on another 6% to 8% — and plan for it from day one.

The full bill, on a €300,000 example

• IMT — the transfer tax (see the new 7.5% regime for non-residents).
• Stamp Duty — 0.8% on the acquisition value.
• Deed & registration — notary/land registry, typically a few hundred up to ~€1,000.
• Legal fees — recommended for due diligence; ~1% to 1.5%.
• Mortgage (if applicable) — valuation, fees, stamp duty on the loan.

Simple rule: on top of the house price, set aside 6–8% for costs. If it's left over, great. If it's short, the deal stalls at the worst moment — at the deed.

Where people slip up

Three recurring traps:

• The seller's "net price" — when someone insists on a "clean" figure, the costs and taxes don't vanish: they just move sides.
• Forgetting the annual IMI — not a purchase cost, but part of the ownership budget.
• Underestimated renovation — a charming fixer-upper has a price; get estimates before, not after.

How we work with you

Before any offer, we hand you the real bill — house, taxes, costs and a safety margin. Real numbers, even when they aren't the ones you'd like to hear.

Start by browsing the available homes, or figure out which side of the river to buy on.