⚖️ English-Speaking Property Lawyers in Portugal
Buying Property in Portugal? Don't Sign Anything Before You Read This.
These are your life savings.
I make sure the property is legally clean, your money is protected, and your plans for it are actually possible — before you sign anything.
Portugal property has pitfalls most buyers never see coming.
Find out how exposed you are — free, 10 questions, 3 minutes.
Buying in Portugal Without a Lawyer is a Serious Risk
The Portuguese property purchase process has legal complexities that can cost
foreign buyers thousands — or their entire investment.
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Unfair CPCV Clauses
The promissory contract often contains clauses that heavily favour the seller. Without legal review, you may lose your deposit or be locked into unfavourable terms.
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Hidden Debts on the Property
Properties can carry undisclosed mortgage charges, condominium debts, or tax liabilities that transfer to the buyer at completion.
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Licensing Irregularities
Many properties — especially rural — lack proper building permits or have unauthorised constructions that can prevent resale or renovation.
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Unexpected Tax Liabilities
IMT (Transfer TAX), Stamp Duty, and ongoing IMI can catch buyers off guard. We calculate the full cost before you commit, so there are no surprises.
• Check My Risk for Free
Meet Nuno Almeida: He works exclusively for you.
Not a large Lisbon firm assigning your file to a junior.
Not the agency's recommended lawyer.
Nuno — directly, from start to finish.
Based in the heart of Central Portugal He knows this land, these câmaras, and these registries.
Not from a Lisbon or Porto office. From here.
Our Process
Four Steps to Owning Your Property in Portugal
01
Due diligence report - 20+ pages
Full legal investigation of the property — title search, debts, licences, illegal constructions, planning. We deliver a written report.
02
Your deposit safe
We draft/review and negotiate the promissory contract. Your deposit is protected. All conditions are legally sound.
03
Clean purchase
You own your property cleanly — no legal surprises, no hidden problems. And you can build, extend, and live it exactly as you planned.
04
Keys in your hand
We attend the final deed at the notary — or act under Power of Attorney if you’re abroad. You don’t need to be in Portugal.
The CLEAR 360 Programme
Complete Legal Support at Every Stage
Check · Legalise · Execute · Acquire · Register — every step, fully covered.
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Property Due Diligence
Full legal audit of title, charges, debts, licences, urban planning status and land registry.
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CPCV Draft/Review & Negotiation
We draft/review and negotiate every clause of the promissory contract to protect your deposit and interests.
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Deed Signing (Escritura)
We are at your side at the notary or via power of attorney if you cannot be present in Portugal.
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Post-Sale Administration
Land registry update, utility transfers guidance.
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Client Testimonials
Trusted by Buyers from Across the World
Over 500 clients have trusted us to protect their investment and guide their property purchase in Portugal.
★★★★★
We met Nuno through a friend and we liked him from the beginning. No matter what problem arose during the purchase of our property, he was always at our side and solved all legal and other problems that we sometimes did not even have in mind in advance, calmly and quickly for us. This has created a real relationship of trust. We will also contact him for future questions. Buying a property in Portugal can be an adventure, so from our point of view it is advisable to have a professional on board and fortunately we have found one in Nuno.
Sonja Eppinger
Germany
★★★★★
I have experienced Nuno de Almeida e Silva, from APNA Lawyers in Seia, as a very competent lawyer. He gave me, as a foreigner, excellent explanation (in English) of the legal process when buying a house in Portugal. Nuno guides you through this process and also assists you, if desired, with the transfer. I would definitely recommend him.
Johannes
🇳🇱 Netherlands
★★★★★
We have used Nuno Almeida during our house purchase. He has been helpful, informative and has made the whole process very clear and has described everything in detail, both in Portuguese and English .
We also had problems after the purchase and his partner, Ana was able to rectify these problems satisfactorily.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Nuno to do his utmost to help and be there giving support and clear concise advice.
Christina
🇬🇧 UK
★★★★★
I highly recommend APNA Lawyers when buying a home in Portugal. Nuno Almeida has an amazing diligence, making sure all documentation is correct for a couple of Canadians who had no clue in how to buy a home in Portugal. Portuguese real estate is quite different than in Canada. He provide great communication via email and WhatsApp. Nuno has made the transaction a reality and we look forward in moving to our home in Portugal and becoming part of an amazing society.
Bill Santo
Canadá
Our Process
Trusted by Buyers from Across the World
No. We can handle the entire process on your behalf through a notarised Power of Attorney. Many of our clients complete their purchase without ever visiting Portugal during the legal process.
The CPCV (Contrato Promessa Compra e Venda) is the promissory purchase contract signed before the final deed. The standard deposit (sinal) in Portugal is 10% of the purchase price — paid directly to the seller, with no escrow protection. On a €400,000 property, that is €40,000 at risk. The CPCV is legally binding from the moment it is signed: if you withdraw without legal justification, you lose the full deposit; if the seller defaults, you are entitled to twice the deposit back — but only if the contract is correctly drafted to guarantee this. Because the CPCV is almost always prepared by the seller’s agent or lawyer, clauses are not written to protect the buyer. Having your own lawyer review and negotiate it before you sign is not optional — it is the only thing standing between your deposit and a potential loss.
We work on transparent fixed fees agreed in writing before we start — no hourly surprises, no hidden costs. We provide a full written quote so you know exactly what you will pay before committing to anything.
Typically between 4 and 12 weeks from initial instruction to deed signing, depending on the complexity of the due diligence and the parties involved. We keep you updated at every stage.
How Ready Are You to Buy
Property in Portugal?
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Talk to one of our lawyers. No commitment, no cost. Tell us about your property and we'll explain exactly how we can help.
Av.ª Luis de Camões, Edif Jardim I, R/Ch Dt.º 6270-484 Seia.
+351 967 050 513
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