What is IMT in Portugal?

IMT (Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissoes Onerosas de Imoveis) is Portugal's Municipal Property Transfer Tax, paid by the buyer at the time of the public deed. Rates range from 0% to 8% on a progressive scale for primary-residence purchases.

How much is IMT on a EUR 330,000 property in Portugal?

For a primary-residence purchase at EUR 330,000 in 2026, the IMT calculation using the Autoridade Tributaria's brackets comes to approximately EUR 13,838 -- an effective rate of about 4.2%.

What is Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo) in Portugal?

Stamp Duty on property purchases is 0.8% of the transaction value (or VPT if higher). A separate Stamp Duty of 0.6% applies to mortgage loans with maturity over 5 years; 0.5% for loans of 5 years or less.

What is the IMT exemption threshold in Portugal for 2026?

Urban properties purchased as a primary and permanent residence with a value up to EUR 97,064 are exempt from IMT (0% rate). This threshold is set annually by the Autoridade Tributaria via Portaria.

What is IMI and how is it different from IMT?

IMT is a one-time purchase tax paid at closing. IMI (Imposto Municipal sobre Imoveis) is the annual property tax, charged at 0.3% to 0.45% of the property's VPT for urban properties -- a recurring holding cost, not a transaction cost.

Do Golden Visa investors pay IMT?

The five active Golden Visa routes -- funds, active business, job creation, R&D, cultural heritage -- do not involve direct property ownership, so IMT does not apply. The real-estate Golden Visa route was eliminated in October 2023.

Understanding IMT and Stamp Duty When Buying in Portugal

What Is IMT?

IMT is Portugal's Municipal Property Transfer Tax. It is paid by the buyer at the time of the public deed and is calculated on the higher of two values: the declared sale price or the taxable patrimonial value (VPT) attributed to the property by the tax authority.

The tax authority sets the VPT independently. In rising markets, the VPT often lags behind market prices -- meaning the declared price is usually the higher figure and the basis for calculation.

IMT Rates: The 2026 Progressive Bracket Table

Portugal distinguishes between property categories for IMT purposes. Thresholds are set annually by the Autoridade Tributaria via Portaria.

Urban Property -- Primary and Permanent Residence

Purchase Price BandMarginal Rate Up to EUR 97,0640% (exempt) EUR 97,064 to EUR 132,7742% EUR 132,774 to EUR 181,0345% EUR 181,034 to EUR 301,6887% EUR 301,688 to EUR 603,2898% Above EUR 603,2896% (flat)

Source: Autoridade Tributaria e Aduaneira, Portaria de IMT (updated annually).

Other Property Types

Investment or second home (urban): Same bracket structure, narrower 0% band -- higher effective rates.
Rural land (rustic property): Flat 5% regardless of value.
Company or legal entity purchase: Flat 6.5%.

A Real-World Example: EUR 330,000 in Lisbon

Lisbon's average apartment price is approximately EUR 3,300 per square metre as of 2026 (Lisbonos market data). For a 100 m2 primary-residence apartment at EUR 330,000:

BandAmount in BandRateTax 0 to 97,06497,0640%EUR 0 97,064 to 132,77435,7102%EUR 714 132,774 to 181,03448,2605%EUR 2,413 181,034 to 301,688120,6547%EUR 8,446 301,688 to 330,00028,3128%EUR 2,265 Total IMTapprox. EUR 13,838

That is an effective IMT rate of roughly 4.2% on the total purchase price -- well below the 8% maximum. A buyer who assumed worst case and budgeted 8% would have overestimated by EUR 12,500.

Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo)

Stamp Duty is a separate statutory tax applied at 0.8% of the transaction value (the higher of price or VPT). For the EUR 330,000 example: 0.8% x EUR 330,000 = EUR 2,640.

Stamp Duty on Mortgage Financing

Loans with maturity over 5 years: 0.6% of the mortgage principal
Loans with maturity of 5 years or less: 0.5% of the mortgage principal

Stamp Duty rates are statutory -- no exemptions for first-time foreign buyers or Golden Visa applicants.

IMI: The Annual Property Tax

International buyers often confuse IMT (one-time purchase tax) with IMI (Imposto Municipal sobre Imoveis), the annual property tax paid by the owner every year. IMI is calculated on the property's VPT:

Urban property: 0.3% to 0.45% of VPT per year (set by municipality)
Rural property: 0.8% of VPT per year

For a Lisbon apartment with a VPT of EUR 280,000, IMI at 0.4% equals EUR 1,120 per year. This is a recurring holding cost, not a purchase cost. Newly purchased primary residences may qualify for a 3-year IMI exemption subject to income limits -- verify with your lawyer.

Total Transaction Cost Estimate

CostAmount (EUR 330,000 purchase) IMT (primary residence)approx. EUR 13,838 Stamp Duty (0.8%)EUR 2,640 Notary + land registryEUR 1,000 to 2,500 Lawyer fees (1 to 1.5%)EUR 3,300 to 4,950 Total additional costsapprox. EUR 21,000 to 24,000 As % of purchase price6.3% to 7.3%

Common Questions from International Buyers

Does the Golden Visa investment trigger IMT?

The real-estate Golden Visa route was eliminated in October 2023 under the Mais Habitacao reform. The five remaining routes -- investment funds, active business, job creation, scientific R&D, and cultural heritage donations -- do not involve direct property ownership, so IMT does not apply.

What if the declared price is lower than the VPT?

The tax authority applies IMT on the VPT. Undervaluing a property to reduce IMT is illegal under Portuguese tax law and carries penalties.

Can I pay IMT in instalments?

No. IMT must be paid in full before the public deed. Your notary requires proof of payment as a condition of proceeding.

Mortgage Stamp Duty vs property Stamp Duty?

Both apply if you finance with a Portuguese mortgage: 0.8% on the property + 0.6% on the loan (loans >5 years) or 0.5% (loans of 5 years or less).

The Bottom Line

IMT and Stamp Duty are fully predictable costs. With the correct bracket table, the property's VPT, and clarity on whether you're purchasing as a primary or secondary residence, you can calculate your exact tax liability before signing anything. Use Lisbonos to model your IMT before you make a move.

All rates and thresholds reflect Autoridade Tributaria publications as of June 2026. Verify with a licensed Portuguese lawyer before any transaction. Lisbonos is an information platform, not a legal or financial advisor.