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Mortgages for Portugal

Arranging any mortgage abroad can be a daunting prospect and Portugal is certainly no exception. For the uninitiated, it’s difficult to know where to start and whether information you see or receive is correct. This is complicated by the fact that banks lending in Portugal do not always offer the same conditions to clients, even if they have similar profiles. The mortgage market in Portugal is quite traditional in the sense that having the right contacts is crucial if you want to get the best deals.

Via our established network and the relationships we have built with the banks, we are able to offer preferential deals for our clients, which results in much lower offered rates and more attractive conditions. On top of that, the service we provide also implies, less time investment and less costs as the majority of the process can be handled from the comfort of your own home. Within our network we have also identified where the English speaking employees work, making it easier for you to speak to your local branch in your native language.

Mortgage products available

 

Mortgage Product Maximum Borrowing (lower of valuation or purchase price) Notes
Non-resident mortgages 60-75 %  For non-residents who pay their taxes outside Portugal, the maximum mortgage amount is 75% of the purchase price (or valuation if lower), but some banks have a maximum amount of 60%. For fiscal residents who pay Portuguese taxes, the maximum mortgage is 85%
Mortgages for retirees 60-75 % If you are over age 60 and in receipt of a pension, you can still have the mortgage in your own name. It is also possible to appoint a guarantor such as a family member to secure the borrowing, which can have potential inheritance tax benefits if they are also a part-owner in the property.
Construction Mortgages 60-75%  For those wishing to build their own homes, banks offer construction mortgages. These are complicated to explain and we recommend that you contact us, but broadly-speaking you can potentially borrow 60-75% of the land and construction costs combined.
Commercial Mortgages 50 % If you are buying a property for commercial use, such as a restaurant or a shop, for example, the maximum mortgage is 50% of the price (or valuation if lower).  If you intend to run a business the lenders will ask for business plans and, where applicable, accounts for any previous business operating at the premises, as well as what previous experience you have had running a similar business.

Mortgage conditions available

Interest rates

Most lenders use the annual Euribor as the base rate and then add their own margin to this, for example, “Euribor plus 2,5%”. Generally speaking, they require that you contract different products with them and they give discounts to the rate for taking each product. Compulsory products are usually a bank account with the bank offering the mortgage and home insurance with that bank’s chosen insurer.

By using our services we can secure a much lower rate than if you go directly to a bank. Where a bank may offer rates as high as Euribor + 4.5% if you go direct, we can achieve Euribor + 1.9 – 2.5%. Realising a huge saving amounting to various thousands over the term of the mortgage.

Although the vast majority of mortgages are variable rate in Portugal, fixed rates are becoming more popular, banks can offer fixed rates for various time frames, for example 2 years, 5 years and even 10 years. Especially now that the Euribor is at its lowest ever level. A typical fixed rate for a 5-year term could be 2.5%, depending on the bank.

Interest-only

This is only offered for construction mortgages in Portugal and, where offered, it is only for 1 or 2 years at the start of the term.

Term of mortgage

Most mortgages can be arranged with terms of 25 years (for non-residents) and 30 years (for residents), usually up to a maximum age of 75. For non-residents, some banks have a maximum 20-year term.

What are the qualifying criteria?

The lenders all use what is known as a debt-to-income calculation as the basis for deciding whether applicants will qualify for a mortgage.  In basic terms, this means that your monthly debt commitments, including the new mortgage, must not exceed a given percentage of your net monthly income.

The typical percentage is between 30-35%, so here is a very basic example of how the calculation works for an employed applicant whose only debt is the repayment mortgage on their main residence:

Applicant earns £3,000 after tax per month

30% of £3,000 = £900

less UK mortgage of £500 = £400

So, they have the equivalent of £400 per month they can “afford” for the new mortgage in Portugal.

There are many other variables to take into account, but this gives a very basic idea of how the banks assess the applicants for the mortgage. Again, it is advisable to get in touch with us as early as possible in the buying process, as we have an in-depth understanding how each bank works and how to make sure you get the best deal available at an early stage.

The application process

  1. Initial, no obligation, assessment – speak to us or complete our online form and we will advise you on whether a mortgage approval is likely and what conditions could be possible.
  1. Mortgage quote – following the initial assessment, we will aim to send a full mortgage quote within 24-48 hours.
  1. Sign up – if you wish to proceed, we will ask you to sign the terms and conditions and arrange payment of a fee of €495, which comes with a money back guarantee, so if the mortgage is declined the fee is refunded (subject to the terms and conditions).
  1. Submit application form – we will assist you with completing the relevant application form and we will submit this on your behalf with the appropriate supporting documents, which we will request once you have agreed to proceed with the application.
  1. Decision from lender – if the mortgage is approved, we will confirm the conditions and ask if you wish to proceed.
  1. Set up bank account and instruct valuation – a bank account will be set up and you will be asked to deposit enough funds to cover the valuation fee.
  1. Valuation report – if the valuation is no lower than the agreed purchase price and the property has no legal issues, the completion arrangements can be made.
  1. Completion arrangements – we will work with the bank and your lawyer and we will confirm the funds necessary for completion, which must be transferred as soon as possible to your account with the lender. Once the funds are in the account, the lender will prepare everything and you can decide on a completion date at the notary.
  1. Completion day – the lender will draw up all the necessary cheques and arrange payment of the property and mortgage taxes from these funds. Once the property and mortgage deeds are signed, you become the owner of the property.

Timescales

The process from start to finish usually takes 6-8 weeks, but there can sometimes be delays that are outside of the control of us or the lender. We can advise on sensible timescales for payment of deposits and timing of completion, as well as deal with any delays if they arise.

Why is it beneficial for you to use our services?

  • Independent mortgage advice for all nationalities.
  • Mortgage quotes within 48 hours.
  • UK qualified professional advisers.
  • No obligation advice.
  • We speak Portuguese and are very aligned with the local banks and other stakeholders and know the mortgage process inside and out.
  • We will guide you through the process from start to finish providing expert advice and service throughout.
  • More attractive lending conditions for our clients, implying besides other benefits lower monthly costs.
  • RURAL PROPERTIES – some banks do grant mortgages for rural homes and we have identified those banks that offer most favourable conditions.

Fill in our online application form for a no obligation quote.

 

 

7 thoughts on “Mortgages for Portugal

  1. Is there a minimum amount that can be borrowed in Portugal, as there is in France? The minimum mortgage available in France is 75k Euros (or even 100k)? Also, are there different sets of criteria for houses that need restoration? Thanks.

  2. Hi , we are in U.S. and thinking about bying in Portugal, my country, so is it possible to by a property from here , working here and making payments from here? I am Portuguese but my husband is american and we pay taxes here. Thank you.

  3. I have a question which I just can’t find the answer for online. Your help will be greatly apprecaited.

    I am hoping to buy a property, as a self employed person and am an Irish citizen. I keep seeing that banks require a proof of address to get a portugese mortgage. Can I use my Northern Irish address for this as I don’t want to rent first in Portugal, just get a mortgage as part of my move to portugal.

    1. Hi James, yes you can use proof of address of the place you are in when applying for a mortgage, you can contact these guys here for more info and you can also check out the interview we made with one of the mortgage team who covered lots of questions on our Pure Portugal Plus group, you can see how to become a member here if you are not already one – https://www.pureportugal.co.uk/pure-portugal-plus/
      Hope this helps!

  4. I’ve just used the no obligation form to get a quote and there is indeed a minimum amount that you need to borrow for the firm to be sent. Its 87k. I dont need that big a mortgage and only need to borrow 40k for a small self build house. Can you help at all please? Thank you.

    1. I believe it is 50k minimum borrow in order to borrow using a mortgage. You could also look at promissory contracts perhaps too?

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