Selling property in Portugal from the US: Complete guide

If you have real estate in Portugal and are ready to move on, you can sell your property. Whether you're liquidating an investment or an inherited property, it's important to understand the local market and legal requirements to avoid costly mistakes.

With the right education, the process can be relatively quick and straightforward. Here's everything you need to know about selling property in Portugal as an American.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

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Table of contents

How do I determine how much my property is worth? What to consider when selling a property in Portugal Documents required to sell property in Portugal How to sell property in Portugal: step by step What’s the best way to send money internationally? Is now a good time to sell property in Portugal? How long does it take to sell a property in Portugal? Costs of selling property in Portugal Selling property in Portugal: tax implications

How do I determine how much my property is worth?

The real estate market in Portugal is booming, so you're likely to make a good sale. However, your goal should be finding out what similar properties sell for, not just what people ask for them.

Here's how to research your property's value:

• Compare similar properties: Look at recently sold homes in your area with the same size, bedrooms, and in the same condition

• Get a professional valuation: Hire a local real estate agent who knows your local market and can give you realistic pricing advice

• Consider your property's condition: Well-maintained homes sell for more money, and homes that need repairs may need lower prices to attract buyers

Properties in Portugal currently average 3,714 EUR per square meter in city centers and 2,659 EUR per square meter in outer areas.¹

High demand from both local and foreign buyers means you might get more for your property than you would in a slower market.

But you still need to set the right pricing. If you ask for too much, your property could sit unsold for months, which can lower its value in the eyes of potential buyers.

What to consider when selling a property in Portugal

There are a few important factors that can affect the process and costs of selling property in Portugal.

One of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to sell on your own or hire a real estate agent. You're not required to use a real estate agent, but it's typically recommended, especially for foreign sellers who might not feel comfortable with the Portuguese market.

However, real estate agents charge pretty high fees, usually between 3% and 6% of the final sale price, plus value-added tax (VAT) at 23%.² On a 400,000-EUR sale, a real estate agent would cost you between 14,760 to 29,520 EUR.

Beyond real estate agent fees, there are also other selling expenses that you'll need to budget for. You'll have to pay Capital Gains Tax (28%) and legal fees (lawyer and fiscal representative).²

Plus, transferring your sale proceeds back to the US often comes with high transfer fees.

Many sellers underestimate the costs that come with selling property in Portugal, so make sure to do your research.

Documents required to sell property in Portugal

It's a good idea to get your paperwork organized before listing your property. Missing documents can delay your sale and frustrate potential buyers.

You'll typically need the following documents when selling property in Portugal:

Valid ID: Your passport or Portuguese ID card Land registry certificate: Or Certidão permanente do registo predial in Portuguese Caderneta predial: A unique ID document for your property Use permit (Licença de utilização): This document proves the property can be legally occupied Property plans: Architectural drawings showing layout and dimensions Energy certificate: Required document showing energy efficiency rating Technical housing file: Detailed property specifications Condominium declaration: If your property is part of a building with shared areas Mortgage document: If you still have an outstanding loan

You'll likely need to visit Portugal to obtain these documents or grant someone trustworthy (such as your lawyer) power of attorney to request them on your behalf.

How to sell property in Portugal: step by step

Selling property in Portugal can look different for different people, but here's what to typically expect from the process.

1. Gather your documents

It's helpful to have all of your documents in order right from the start.

You'll need your passport, property ID certificate (Caderneta predial), land registry certificate, use permit (Licença de utilização), property plans, energy certificate, and any mortgage documents. If your property is in a building with shared areas, you'll also need the condominium declaration.

2. Hire a real estate agent

You're not required to hire a real estate agent, but their help is often worth their fee, especially if you're selling from the US or are unfamiliar with the Portuguese market. Agents have local knowledge and can handle all viewings and the majority of the paperwork.

Make sure that your agent is registered with INCI (Instituto dos Mercados Públicos, do Imobiliário e da Construção) or is a member of Portuguese real estate associations like AMI or AMEDI.

3. Market your property

Clean and declutter your property, then take high-quality photos that show its best features and list it for sale. If you're working with a real estate agent, they'll do this for you and take care of most of the advertising.

If you're selling your property yourself, you can list it on real estate websites like Idealista.

4. Appoint an attorney

An attorney can help you handle the legal side of your property sale. They can review contracts, make sure everything is done correctly, and protect your interests.

5. Accept an offer

Buyers will submit offers either directly to you or through your agent. Your agent can help negotiate the best price and terms. Once you accept an offer, you'll move to the contract stage.

6. Sign the promissory contract (CPCV)

After the buyer completes their property checks, both parties sign a preliminary contract called the CPCV (Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda). This contract is legally binding and sets the terms of the sale.

The buyer will pay a deposit, and you'll agree on a completion date. Your lawyer should review the contract before you sign.

7. Sign the final deed

Both you and the buyer will need to sign the final deed (Escritura Publica de Compra e Venda) in front of a notary to complete the sale. The buyer will pay the remaining balance, and you'll transfer all property ownership rights to them.

What’s the best way to send money internationally?

Banks are certainly one option for sending money internationally, as are services like PayPal. But the problem with banks is they can often be slow, expensive and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a better alternative out there.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s easy and quick to set up a payment online, and you’re guaranteed secure transfers even when sending large sums.

Wise is a money service business (MSB) regulated by 12 international financial authorities and uses sophisticated security features to keep you and your money safe.

Open a Wise account, and you can send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need to. You can even receive money from all over the world using your own local account details.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a Wise Multi-Currency Card too. For a one-time fee of just $9, you can spend in over 150 countries in the local currency. Your USD is automatically converted at the mid-market rate for just a small conversion fee.

Open a Wise account today

Is now a good time to sell property in Portugal?

The answer depends on your personal goals and financial situation, but the market conditions suggest that now is likely a good time to sell.

Portugal's real estate market is experiencing a major boom right now. Demand is high, especially from foreign investors and buyers. Some areas are seeing fast price growth, such as the Alto Alentejo region, which saw prices jump over 26% in just one year.³

Popular cities like Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto are particularly hot, with strong interest from international buyers driving up prices.

This high demand means you're likely to get a good price for your property and sell relatively quickly compared to slower market periods.

How long does it take to sell a property in Portugal?

Selling times can vary. However, generally speaking, the Portuguese market moves quickly because of high demand.

Idealista, a major Portuguese property website, shows that most properties sell quickly when priced right:⁴

• 14% of homes sold in less than a week
• 15% of properties sold within 2 weeks to 1 month
• 25% of properties sold within 1 to 3 months
• 33% of properties took 3 months to 1 year
• 13% of properties took more than a year

This data is from 2022, but market conditions in 2025 are likely similar because the demand is still high.

Costs of selling property in Portugal

There are a few important costs that come with selling property in Portugal, and sellers tend to overlook some of them. Here's what to expect.

Cost	Amount²
Capital Gains Tax	28% of profit
Real estate agent fees	3% to 6% of the final sale price, plus 23% VAT
Legal fees	1% to 2% of the sale price
Notary and registration fees	500 to 1,000 EUR
Fiscal representative (mandatory for non-residents)	500 to 1,500 EUR
Property valuation	300 to 800 EUR

One cost that many people forget about is transferring money back to the US. When you sell your Portuguese property, you'll need to convert EUR to USD and send the money to your US bank account.

Banks typically charge high fees for international transfers and use poor exchange rates. On a large property sale, these costs can be significant, so it's a smart idea to investigate alternatives like Wise.

Selling property in Portugal: tax implications

The most important tax when selling Portuguese property is the Capital Gains Tax. As a US resident, you'll pay 28% tax on any profit you make from the sale.²⁵

The profit is the difference between what you paid for the property and what you sell it for.

For example, if you bought a property for 300,000 EUR and sold it for 450,000 EUR, your profit is 150,000 EUR. You'd pay 28% tax on the 150,000 USD profit, or 42,000 EUR.

If you're a Portuguese resident, you only pay the Capital Gains Tax on 50% of your profit.⁵

Selling property in Portugal may also have implications for your US taxes. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income, which includes capital gains from foreign property sales.

However, you may be able to claim foreign tax credits for the Portuguese Capital Gains Tax you paid.

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Whether you're selling an inherited property in Portugal or a vacation home that doesn't align with your lifestyle anymore, you can expect a relatively quick process.

Portugal's real estate market is booming with high demand, but it's still important to get qualified help from a real estate agent and a lawyer.

Also, don't underestimate the costs involved. Beyond the obvious expenses like real estate agent commission and legal fees for selling property in Portugal, many sellers don't foresee international transfer fees and currency exchange rate markups.

When you need to move large amounts from Portugal back to the US, poor exchange rates and high wire transfer fees can cost thousands of dollars.

For a fast, simple, and secure way to send large transfers between Portugal and the US with low fees and no currency exchange rate markups, try Wise.

Sources

1. Numbeo - Cost of Living in Portugal
2. EasyFX - The Costs of Selling a Property in Portugal
3. Portugal Homes - Portugal Real Estate: House Prices Continue to Climb in 2025
4. Idealista - How long does it take to sell property in Portugal?
5. Goldcrest Portugal Real Estate - Capital Gains Tax Portugal: How Does It Work?

Sources checked 05/21/2025