Legal advice in Portugal

In Portugal, most homes are not prepared for excessively high or low temperatures, generating high energy consumption due to the use of heaters, air conditioning or fans.

Buying off-plan houses, or houses that have not begun construction yet, is a form of property acquisition that is in fashion in Portugal.

The Portuguese tourism sector is a section of the economy with a large impact on the national GDP, and several businesses and long-term holiday products have grown up around it over the years, which have also contributed to the dynamism of the property market.

In Portugal the energy performance certificate has become an essential and mandatory document when selling, buying or renting a house, as well as to access tax benefits and financial support to make homes more efficient.

If you own property in Portugal and rent it out, you may have come across the issue of maintenance and repairs. No building will remain in perfect condition forever, but if you are not using the property yourself, are you still liable for the property's maintenance?

The exchange of real estate, also known as a house swap, has been gaining more and more importance in the real estate market in Portugal, where this process is called "permuta".

Buying a property in Portugal also means paying a series of taxes. One of the taxes that is due very year is the Municipal Property Tax (IMI).

If you are selling your property in Portugal as a non-resident taxpayer, you are subject to Portuguese income tax ("IRS") and have to report the transaction in your income statement for the year in which you sold your property.

Portugal's well known Golden Visa Scheme began in 2012 and over the years has proven to be one of the best and most respected residency by investment programmes in the world.

With the COVID-19 pandemic stealing the headlines in recent months, Brexit seemed to take a back seat. Now in 2021 in the blink of an eye, the Brexit transition period has ended, as of 1st January 2021, the UK is no longer a member of the EU, and we are now living in a post-Brexit world.

Portugal's new nationality law has been passed by the President of the Republic. This means that the children of immigrants who have been living in the country for at least a year, even illegally, can become Portuguese at birth.

The end of issuing so called "golden visas" in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, which was approved in detail following a proposal to amend the State Budget for 2020 (OE2020), will finally becomea reality later this year. The decision to change the rules of the scheme (in major u

What happens to the family home when a relationship comes to an end? Portugal has seen an increase in marital break-ups that end in divorce due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The process of buying or selling real estate at a distance in Portugal is getting closer to becoming a reality, due to the COVID-19 outbreak which is causing significant changes in how people are buying property.

The Portuguese parliament has approved a measure which will limit the issuance of what are known as ‘golden visas’ for real estate investments made across the Portuguese coastline, including in Lisbon and Porto.

With Brexit finally here, one of the biggest questions being asked by British expats is about residency in other countries. If you’re a British citizen living in Portugal and are worried about possible Brexit consequences, then we’re here to put your mind at ease.

Pet owners, who since October 25, 2019 are obliged to register their dogs, cats and even ferrets in the new Pet Information Database ("SIAC - Sistema de Informação de Animais de Companhia"), as well as inserting microchips in them, will soon also have to apply for an annual licence from their c

This is just one of the many questions on the lips of British expats in Portugal and throughout the EU now that Brexit is finally a reality.

We’ll forgive you for saying you’ve lost track of what’s happening with Brexit - even those paid to understand it are somewhat confused! No-one is quite sure what exactly life will look like post-Brexit, especially for British expats living overseas.

Properties purchased in Portugal on credit can be rented out without restrictions and without the risk of worsening your mortgage conditions starting from 2020, provided that the rental contract mentions that there is a mortgage. Do you still have questions?

Sometimes nature comes closer to man and this is not always as good as one might think or wish. This is the case when birds decide to build their nests in buildings where people live, blocking the outlets of smoke and affecting the proper ventilation of buildings.

If you share your apartment with a pet, there are certain rules you must respect. When taking your dog for a walk, you should also be aware of the news rules established by the Portuguese law.

It's official. From January 1st, 2020, anyone in Portugal who produces solar energy will be able to share it with their neighbours.

Apart from new number plate formats, those of you driving in Portugal will soon notice a new traffic sign.

If you're bringing your pet to Portugal or if you’re thinking of getting one, you should know that the current laws for pet owners are about to change.