Yes. Brexit did not change a British citizen's right to buy property in Portugal. UK nationals buy freely, with no restrictions, exactly as they did before. What Brexit changed is not ownership — it is how long you are allowed to stay.
What Brexit changed, and what it did not
It did not change: the right to buy and own property. A UK national can purchase any home, apartment or plot of land in Portugal on the same terms as anyone else.
It did change: immigration status. UK nationals are now treated as non-EU — third-country nationals. British citizens lost EU free movement, so without a visa you may only stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day period.
A holiday home versus moving permanently
If you want a holiday home, you can buy it freely and use it within the 90/180-day limit. If you want to live in Portugal, you now need a residence visa. The most common routes for British buyers are the D7 visa — very popular with UK retirees — and the D8 digital nomad visa. Owning a home can help demonstrate accommodation for a visa application, but property ownership does not itself grant the right to stay. The Golden Visa real-estate route was removed in October 2023.
What British buyers need
- A NIF (Portuguese tax number) — see how to get one.
- A fiscal representative — because UK nationals are now non-EU, a non-resident British buyer is generally required to appoint one. Read our fiscal representation guide.
- A Portuguese bank account and an independent lawyer.
Tax for British buyers
The UK and Portugal have a double-taxation treaty, so income is not taxed twice. If you become tax-resident in Portugal, the IFICI regime — which replaced the old NHR scheme — may apply to certain professionals. Take cross-border tax advice before you commit.
What it costs
Budget roughly 6–8% above the price for IMT, stamp duty, notary, registration and legal fees. Our IMT calculator gives the exact transfer tax.
Get matched with a licence-verified professional
ExpatPropertyHub connects British buyers with English-speaking, licence-verified agents and lawyers across Portugal, free for buyers. Tell us what you are looking for.
