What an EPC Rating Actually Tells You About an Algarve Property in 2026
The Energy Performance Certificate, known in Portuguese as the Certificado Energético, is the document most buyers in the Algarve glance at without reading and most sellers underestimate the importance of. It has been mandatory at sale and at rental in Portugal for several years, and a property listing now cannot be advertised without the rating […]
The Habite-se Licence and Why It Matters Before You Complete on an Algarve Property in 2026
Most overseas buyers in Lagos and the wider western Algarve focus on the deal itself, the condition of the property, the price and the contract. The Habite-se, the document confirming a building is legally fit for habitation, tends to receive less attention. In our experience it is one of the more common reasons a purchase […]
The Difference Between a Notary and a Lawyer in a Portuguese Property Purchase in 2026
Most overseas buyers in Lagos and the wider western Algarve come from jurisdictions where a notary is either a marginal figure or does not exist as a separate profession. In Portugal, the notary is central to the property transaction and confusion about what the notary actually does, versus what a buyer’s lawyer does, can leave […]
NIF, AIMA Registration and Residency Basics for International Algarve Buyers in 2026
International buyers looking at property in the Algarve usually run into the same three administrative questions early on. Do I need a NIF? Do I need to register with AIMA? And do I need to be a resident to buy here? The short answers are yes, sometimes, and no, but the detail matters for anyone […]
How Walkable Are the Main Property Areas in Lagos
When buyers ask us what to look at first in Lagos, walkability is rarely the headline question. It comes up later, usually after a few viewings, when someone realises that the property they liked most needs a 10-minute drive for a loaf of bread. Lagos is not a single neighbourhood, and how walkable each part […]
Currency Strategy for UK and US Buyers Purchasing Algarve Property in 2026
The second approach removes uncertainty entirely but requires the margin upfront. The first balances cash flow against rate risk. The third only suits buyers comfortable absorbing whatever the market does between contract and completion. There is no objectively right approach, but the third is generally the highest risk for buyers whose total purchase is a […]
What to Check in a Portuguese CPCV Before Signing for an Algarve Property
The Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda, usually shortened to CPCV, is the promissory contract signed in Portugal after the offer is accepted and before the final deed of sale. It is the document that legally commits both buyer and seller to the transaction. The CPCV typically covers more ground than buyers expect, and the […]
Understanding Condominium Accounts Before Buying an Apartment in Lagos
Most buyers in Lagos focus heavily on the property itself. They look at the finish, the orientation, the view, the floor plan. What often receives less attention is how the building around it is managed, and whether the condominium behind the apartment is well run or not. This matters more than it sounds. A well-positioned […]
Fiscal Representation for Non-Resident Property Owners in Portugal 2026
If you own, or are about to own, property in Portugal and live outside the EU/EEA, there is a small administrative requirement that carries significant consequences if overlooked: fiscal representation. Many overseas buyers hear the term for the first time at the notary‘s office. By then, you should already have it in place. Here is […]
Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in Portugal?
Buying property in Portugal does not legally require a lawyer, but that doesn’t mean you should proceed without one. In high-demand markets like Lagos, where many buyers are international, legal oversight is often the difference between a secure purchase and a costly mistake. Quick Answer Do you need a lawyer to buy property in Portugal? […]
