From an accepted offer to the keys, buying property in Portugal typically takes two to four months. A straightforward cash purchase can complete in as little as four to six weeks; a purchase that involves a mortgage usually takes longer. The biggest variable is preparation — having your NIF, bank account and lawyer in place before you start.
The timeline, stage by stage
- Before you start (1–3 weeks): obtain your NIF and open a bank account. Do this early — it is the most common cause of delay.
- Offer and reservation (days): once an offer is accepted, the property is usually taken off the market with a reservation agreement.
- Promissory contract — CPCV (1–3 weeks): the binding contract is signed and a deposit, often around 10%, is paid.
- Due diligence (in parallel): your lawyer checks the land registry, the licences and the caderneta predial.
- Mortgage, if any (4–8 weeks): bank valuation and approval — often the longest single stage.
- Final deed — escritura: the escritura is signed before a notary and the property is registered.
What speeds the process up
Having documents ready, buying in cash, and working with a responsive lawyer and a licence-verified agent all shorten the timeline considerably.
What slows it down
Mortgage approval, missing licences or documents, inherited property still in probate, complex due diligence, and the month of August — when much of Portugal slows for summer — can each add weeks.
Plan ahead
The single best thing you can do is arrange your NIF and bank account before you even find a property. Our step-by-step buying guide sets out the full sequence.
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