For foreigners & non-residents

Getting a mortgage in Portugal as a foreigner

Buying in Portugal but living abroad, or new to the Portuguese banking system? We arrange mortgages for residents, expats and non-residents — EU and non-EU — with expert, English-speaking advice.

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Can a foreigner or non-resident get a mortgage in Portugal?

Yes — and it’s more common than you might think. Many of our clients are international buyers: Americans, Brits, Canadians and other expats, often with complex income profiles such as self-employment, dividends or company income.

Foreign buyers often struggle with banking rules, deposit requirements and paperwork, and some banks hesitate to approve non-residents. That’s where we come in — we know which banks lend to your profile and present your application in the best possible light, at no cost to you.

How much you can borrow

Financing by profile

As a rule of thumb, residents can borrow more of the property’s value than non-residents. The exact limit depends on the bank, the property and your profile.

Residents in Portugal

If you live and earn in Portugal, you can usually borrow more of the property’s value than a non-resident. The deposit required depends on the bank and your profile, plus the purchase costs, and is always subject to bank approval.

Non-residents — EU / EEA

Living elsewhere in Europe is not a barrier. Plan for a deposit of 20% to 30% of the purchase price, depending on the bank and your profile, plus the purchase costs — always subject to bank approval.

Non-residents — non-EU

Americans, Brits, Canadians and other non-EU nationals are very welcome — we arrange these mortgages regularly. Plan for a deposit of 20% to 30% of the purchase price, depending on the bank and your profile, always subject to bank approval.

Non-resident essentials

The key numbers, at a glance

Indicative figures for non-resident applications — your exact terms depend on the bank and your profile. Read the full non-resident mortgage FAQ →

350.000 €Minimum property value
20–30%Typical deposit (non-resident)
Up to 30 yrsLoan term · repaid by age 80
9Banks and lenders we work with
Stress-testedPayment checked against higher rates
~6–8 weeksFrom start to deed (escritura)

Income in a foreign currency?

It’s common and manageable. Banks apply a prudent discount to foreign-currency income to absorb exchange-rate movement, and the discount varies by bank and currency. We convert your income to euros using official reference rates and use a prudent average rather than your best month, so you know early how your income is likely to be counted.

Buying as a non-resident? You’ll pay a flat 7,5% IMT — see the property purchase tax guide or estimate it with the cost-of-buying calculator.

Documents you’ll typically need

  • Passport or identity card (all applicants)
  • Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
  • Latest tax return / IRS statement
  • Proof of savings and 6 months of bank statements
  • 6 months of pay slips, or documents verifying your professional activity
  • Employment contract (or proof of self-employment / company income)
  • Credit score document (Banco de Portugal, Experian, etc.)
Testimonials

What our clients say

★★★★★  4,7/5 average rating

"
Joao, Paulo and the rest of the team have been absolutely amazing. Being a foreigner who does not speak the language, I would have been lost without them. Best of the best service you can hope for.
VL
Victor Levy
"
Had the best experience! João Almeida Gonçalves has been a tremendous help in our quest for a real estate property in Portugal. We did the whole consultation online, which worked just perfect.
SE
Svenja Engelhard
"
João is simply the best. He was lightning-quick, delivered me a spreadsheet of options within a day, and smoothly navigated getting me to a far better financial situation.
HE
Heather El
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Portugal?+
Yes. Living abroad is not a restriction — it may affect the characteristics of your mortgage (such as the deposit required), but we have financed many projects for non-resident and foreign buyers.
How much deposit do I need as a foreigner?+
As a non-resident, plan for a deposit of 20% to 30% of the purchase price, depending on the bank and your profile, plus the purchase taxes and costs. For purchases of €1M and above, each bank assesses the case individually and the deposit required can be higher. The amount a bank will lend is always subject to bank approval.
I don’t speak Portuguese — is that a problem?+
Not at all. Our brokers speak both English and Portuguese, so communication is smooth from your first simulation to the final deed.
What documents are required?+
Typically:
  • Passport or identity card
  • Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
  • Last tax return
  • Proof of savings and bank statements
  • Employment contract and pay slips, or documentation verifying your professional activity
What are the deed costs in Portugal?+
Budget for these on top of the price:
  • IMT — property transfer tax. Non-residents pay a flat 7,5%; residents pay a progressive rate. See our tax guide or calculator
  • IS (Stamp Duty) — 0,8% of the higher of the price and the property’s tax value (VPT)
  • ISUC — stamp duty on credit, 0,6% of the loan amount
  • Notary, registration and bank set-up costs (valuation, arrangement)
Which bank is best for foreign buyers?+
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer: the right lender depends on your country, type of income and purchase. We work with nine banks and lenders in Portugal, listed in alphabetical order (not a ranking): ABANCA, Banco BNI Europa, Banco BPI, Banco CTT, Bankinter, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Novo Banco, Santander and UCI. In a free consultation we match your case to the lender that fits your profile — always subject to bank approval.

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