Buying Remotely
Representation and powers of attorney for remote purchases.
Overview
Representation and powers of attorney for remote purchases.
QUICK ANSWER
Can you buy property in Portugal without travelling?
Often, yes. A property purchase can often be completed from abroad, provided the required documentation, representation and transaction arrangements are in place — typically a power of attorney granted to a trusted representative, a NIF and banking arranged in advance, and proper reporting at each stage. The legal steps are the same; what changes is how documents are signed and how funds are transferred.
Key points
- A suitably drafted power of attorney can allow a representative in Portugal to carry out many or all of the acts required for the purchase, depending on its scope and the transaction.
- Legalisation, apostille and translation take time — start early.
- Verify the property independently; do not rely on marketing material.
- Confirm payment details through a channel you have verified yourself.
Power of attorney
A power of attorney (procuração) authorises a named representative to act for you. Its scope should be defined precisely: the specific property, the maximum price, the acts covered — for example signing the promissory contract, settling taxes, executing the deed and registering ownership — and, where appropriate, an expiry date.
Documents executed abroad may require notarisation, legalisation or an apostille and, where necessary, a Portuguese translation. The requirements depend on the document, the country of origin and its intended use in Portugal. Allow time for this: it is one of the most common causes of delay in remote purchases.
Good to know
Grant only the powers the transaction requires, and keep the document limited in time and scope.
What to arrange in advance
Remote purchases run smoothly when the administrative groundwork is done early.
Prepare early
- NIF — The Portuguese tax number for every buyer named on the deed.
- Banking — A Portuguese account where it is needed for payments, or a clear plan for international transfers.
- Representation — The power of attorney, legalised and translated, with the scope agreed in advance.
- Funds — Evidence of the source of funds, which banks and notaries may request.
Viewing and verifying the property
Distance increases the value of independent verification. Video viewings are useful but do not replace an independent survey, and photographs supplied by the seller or the agent are, by definition, selective.
Where possible, arrange for an independent professional to inspect the property, confirm its boundaries and condition, and report on anything that differs from the marketing material or from the registered description.
Transferring funds and completing
Plan currency conversion and transfers with the completion date in mind, and confirm payment details directly with your lawyer through a channel you have verified independently. Fraudulent instructions purporting to change bank details are a real risk in property transactions.
At completion, your representative signs the deed on your behalf. You should receive the executed deed, evidence of the taxes settled and confirmation of the registration of your ownership at the Land Registry.
After completion
Utilities, condominium registration and insurance need to be transferred into your name, and your annual IMI position confirmed. Agree in advance who will handle these steps so nothing is left outstanding once the keys are handed over.
Where this fits in the buying process
This guide expands on the "Prepare to buy" stage of the full buying process. Read it alongside the complete step-by-step guide to see what comes before and after.
Frequently asked questions
In many transactions a buyer can be represented through an appropriately prepared power of attorney. Whether this is possible, and what form it must take, depends on the specific transaction.
No. Residency is not a condition of ownership. Residency status can, however, affect taxation and financing, so it should be considered when planning the purchase.
Next steps
This guide provides general information about buying property in Portugal and does not replace legal advice on a specific transaction.