Buying property in Portugal comes with the same list of things to do and things not to do as many other places in the world; however, there are some specific features of the Portuguese real estate market that could help to raise confidence levels for buyers, wherever they hail from.
In addition to the international organisations that help to smooth the sale and purchase of property on the world market, Portugal in particular has a well regulated industry that puts in place rigorous professional standards and a clear route to recourse should anything go wrong.
Buying property in Portugal with an APEMIP member
The main source of consumer protection when it comes to buying property in Portugal is APEMIP, the Associacao dos Profissionais e Empresas de Mediacao Imobiliaria de Portugal or, in English, the Portuguese Real Estate Professionals and Brokers Association.
Membership of APEMIP is mandatory for estate agents wishing to practise in Portugal, so anyone you deal with should have the necessary accreditation in place. APEMIP’s four main aims include promoting public support and instilling a sense of ethics among the country’s real estate professionals.
The latter is achieved through a 40-article Code of Ethics covering general duties, commitments to the client and also professional relationships. Real estate mediators are tasked not only with serving their clients well, but also with maintaining good relations with their colleagues; the Code of Ethics calls for them to work in a way that ensures disputes with other professionals do not arise.
APEMIP takes part in international real estate trade fairs: you can see representatives of the organisation in London at OPPLive, or in Madrid at SIMA.
Buying property in Portugal with AIPP
The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) also covers Portugal, giving you the chance to find a real estate firm – whether it is in Portugal itself, or in the UK – that knows the local market and has experience at dealing with Portuguese property.
Finding an AIPP member with specialist knowledge of the Portuguese property market could help to smooth the buying process by making sure that they are aware of any local laws and regulations – and, if the firm is in Portugal itself, is likely to mean that the individual you deal with is a member of APEMIP as well.
Keeping in touch with UK authorities
As always, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) recommends registering with the appropriate consulate or embassy on arrival at your destination. For Portugal, there are six offices to choose from.
Two are located in the capital of Lisbon; these are the British Consulate and British Embassy, while a further consulate is located in Portimao. Honorary consulates are to be found in Oporto and in two non-mainland territories – Funchal on Madeira and Sao Miguel in the Azores.
Registering with the appropriate office on arrival can let the authorities know that you are now living there – the FCO does not get involved directly in legal matters but can advise on some issues, including misplaced documentation and lost passports.
Finding help with legal issues in Portugal
The Portuguese Bar Society, or Ordem dos Advogados, is the professional membership body for Portuguese lawyers and is tasked with carrying out a number of duties relating to the profession. These include encouraging solidarity among members of the legal sector, ensuring Portuguese lawyers working internationally comply with European laws and promoting access to the relevant knowledge required in order to perform legal duties correctly.
Under the legislation set out in Portugal’s Bar Association Statute, the society is also responsible for disciplinary action against lawyers who have not acted in accordance with the relevant codes of conduct. This consists of a two-stage process ending with a decision from the Superior Council, which may be challenged in the Administrative Courts by the individual concerned if they wish.