Interested in a Portugal property purchase?
The European country has amazing food, warm people, and a rich history. But, most importantly, there are no restrictions on Canadians looking to buy property.
Portugal offers an attractive and cost-effective proposition for Canadians looking to buy property in Europe.
However, if you have chosen Portugal as the best European country for your investment property or vacation home, you still need to be smart with your money. That means familiarizing yourself with the real estate hotspots in Portugal and looking for the best exchange rates for the Canadian Dollar to the Euro, plus more.
This article provides essential details about buying a property in Portugal as a Canadian to help you make an informed and cost-effective decision.
Portugal is a beautiful country with welcoming people, great weather, breathtaking views at every corner, and lots of history. It's a fantastic place to holiday, and the good news is it's also a haven for Canadian property buyers. Here's why.
There are quite a few steps to go through before you can close your Portugal property deal.
First, figure out your must-haves, such as the type of property you want, whether that's a Moradia T3 or T4, Casa Geminanda, Quinta, or a condomínion. Keep in mind the average price per square meter in Portugal is roughly 3,000 Euros⁵.
The Número de Identificação Fiscal is a unique number issued by Portuguese tax authorities. Obtaining a NIF number is a legal requirement whether you're buying/renting real estate in the country or opening a Portuguese bank account.
It's always wise to visit Portugal and get the "lay of the land" so you don't fly blind into a regrettable property deal. Also, if you're financing, it's better to get pre-approval before finding the property since this makes it easier to budget.
For instance, you need to find a local real estate agent, advogado (qualified lawyer) or solicitador (conveyancing specialist). It's also a legal requirement to use a notary for buying property in Portugal.
Once the seller agrees to your offer, you can finalize your mortgage and make the payment. Besides admin costs and legal fees, you're also liable for tax fees, including the Municipal Property Tax, Property Purchase Tax (IMT), and Tax on Stamps.
After signing the Escritura Publica de Compra e Venda, your property is registered in your name.
If you're sending money from Canada to a Portuguese bank account, it's important to ask yourself whether your money will arrive in one piece. This is because the official currency of Portugal is the Euro, so your money transfer is influenced by how favorable the EUR/CAD exchange rate is.
Property purchases involve large amounts, so paying attention to the exchange rate is essential. The difference between a poor and competitive exchange rate is often as high as tens of thousands of dollars, which is nothing to brush off.
When making international transfers, it may seem like the battle of the banks vs. specialist FX services. However, using a specialist service is the obvious option for those prioritizing cost savings.
For comparison, MTFX offers exchange rates 3-5% lower, allowing you to save 25,000 when you send 500,000.
If you want to see how favorable MTFX's exchange rate is, use the live rate calculator to initiate your transfer with more confidence.
MTFX's expert service also includes:
Need to send money to Portugal from Canada? There are better ways to initiate the transfer than visiting the bank. Sending an international transfer online is not only cheaper than in a branch, but the convenience is unmatched when you're using your MTFX online account.
You have access to a 24/7 online platform from any location. It only takes a few minutes to set up your account, plus a few clicks to send your money on its way.
If you're purchasing property in Portugal and have Canadian dollars in hand, you'll need a secure, cost-effective, and convenient way to send your currency exchange payments.
This is where MTFX shines. MTFX has helped many people pay for their dream home abroad the easy way, and you, too, can avoid paying more for your property than you have to.
Register an account with MTFX now to simplify your overseas property purchase.
As a Canadian and a non-resident, you can get a loan up to 65-75% of the property's value. Amortizations as long as 25 years or more are available. The top Portuguese banks to apply with include Caixa Geral de Depositos, Activo Bank, Banco Santander Totta and Banco CTT.
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