A clearer way to buy property in Portugal.
Six stages. One side of the table — yours.
From first conversation to final deed in the Algarve
Every stage exists to protect the buyer’s position and to keep the decision grounded in evidence rather than pressure.
From first brief to final deed, Keystone is on the buyer’s side.
Discovery Call
We understand your goals, timeline, budget, preferred locations and reason for buying.
Buyer Brief
We build a clear acquisition brief so the search is focused, strategic and realistic.
Market Search
We search, filter and assess suitable properties across the visible market and relevant local networks.
Viewings & Assessment
We coordinate viewings and help evaluate each property beyond the listing photos.
Negotiation & Due Diligence
We support offer strategy, negotiation and coordination with legal, technical and financial professionals.
Acquisition Support
We remain involved through the purchase process, helping you move from decision to deed with confidence.
What actually happens when you buy in Portugal
The stages above describe how Keystone works. This is what the Portuguese purchase process itself looks like, so you can see where each stage fits.
The offer and the promissory contract
An accepted offer in Portugal is not yet a binding sale. The commitment comes with the CPCV, the promissory contract, which fixes price, deadlines and conditions and is usually signed with a deposit of around ten per cent. Once signed it binds both parties, and a buyer who walks away normally forfeits the deposit. Everything that should be verified about a property needs to be verified before that signature, not after it.
The checks that matter
Before the promissory contract, the property's legal and physical identity has to be established. That means the land registry certificate and the tax register, the use licence, confirmation that the built area matches what is registered, and a check for mortgages, charges or pending inheritance. On older or extended houses, work carried out without a licence is the most common and most expensive surprise. This coordination is what a buyer-side team is for; the legal opinion itself belongs to your lawyer.
The deed, and what comes with it
The escritura is the final deed, signed before a notary, at which the balance is paid and ownership transfers. Transfer tax and stamp duty are settled beforehand, and registration follows. Alongside the price, budget for notary and registration fees and for legal fees; from then on the municipality charges an annual property tax. Rates, brackets and exemptions change with each budget, so the figures for your particular case should always be confirmed by a qualified lawyer or tax adviser.
How long it takes
A straightforward purchase usually runs two to four months from accepted offer to deed. Mortgage approval adds time. Inheritance situations, licensing irregularities and missing documents add more, and occasionally end a purchase altogether. The variable a buyer can control is their own readiness: a tax number in place, a lawyer appointed, funds available and a clear brief will shorten the process more reliably than pressure applied at the other end.
This page describes general practice in Portugal and is not legal or tax advice. Your lawyer and tax adviser should confirm how any of it applies to your purchase.
Before you buy in Portugal, put someone on your side.
A property purchase is too important to approach alone. Keystone helps international buyers move through the Portuguese property market with structure, insight and independent representation.