Portuguese Real Estate Glossary — Property Terms Explained
Complete glossary of Portuguese real estate and legal terminology, translated and explained in English for foreign buyers.
Key Terms
- Escritura — Final public deed of sale signed at a notary
- CPCV — Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda (promissory purchase contract)
- IMT — Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissões (property transfer tax)
- IMI — Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis (annual property tax, similar to council tax)
- NIF — Número de Identificação Fiscal (Portuguese tax number, required for all buyers)
- Habitation Licence (Licença de Habitação) — Confirms the property meets legal standards for residential use
- Caderneta Predial — Land registry document showing the property's tax value
- Certidão Permanente — Permanent certificate from the land registry