Investing in Portugal: Purchasing and Financing Portuguese Properties

We advise on the complete acquisition of properties in Portugal as well as on related individual transactions and financing operations in accordance with Portuguese real estate law.

In our work, we do not focus only on the transaction itself, but assist our clients with all related matters, especially tax matters in relation with Portuguese real estate law, regarding constructions in Portugal or processing the financing of Portuguese property. We also guide our clients in matters of property asset management and advise on lease agreements, management and sale of commercially or privately used properties in Portugal.

We mainly provide advice on matters such as:

• Sale and purchase of property in Portugal.
• Financing the acquisition of property and issuing collateral.
• Analysis of tax aspects involved in the purchase of property.
• Sale and leaseback transactions.
• Comprehensive legal and tax due diligence assessments.

Construction Works in Portugal: Comprehensive Advice on Portuguese Construction and Planning Law

In general, all construction activities in Portugal require the corresponding permits. Depending on the extend of the building project, collaborating with local building contractors and architects may be advisable. Occasionally, constructions (some without the corresponding permit) are carried out on plots which are not considered building plots: This may lead to problems later on, since renovating or extending such buildings constructed without a proper pemit and thus violating the urban planning regulations is either severely limited or may even be impossible.

Be the project a complex office building or a small family, be it carried out with a general contractor or by the owners themselves, our clients always receive comprehensive advice, e.g. on

• Extensive new constructions, even after termination of the construction works.
• Drafting contracts with general contractors and subcontractors.
• Representation before authorities and other bodies of the public administration in Portugal.

Commercial Property in Portugal: Property Lease and Asset Management

In Portugal, commercial lease contracts (i.e. renting property for non-residential purposes) can generally be drafted and entered into freely under the principle of freedom of contract. However, some provisions of the Portuguese tenancy law apply equally to commercial lease contracts.

Insufficient negotiations of a commercial lease contract may have negative consequences for both sides, the lessor as well as the lessee. In this context, we are happy to answer all questions of the client regarding the acquisition, exploitation and sale of commercial property in Portugal.

• Drafting contracts for new commercial lease agreements.
• Comprehensive review and adaptation, if necessary, or optimisation of existing lease contracts.
• Sale and leaseback operations.

Residential Lease in Portugal

We advise our clients on all questions which arise regarding residential lease in Portugal, e.g. term, rental deposits, possible provisions regarding additional guarantees, obligations and rights of lessors and lessees, pre-emptive rights, rental fees and ancillary costs.

• Advice on drafting contracts to conclude new lease agreements.
• Review and negotiation as well adaptation, if necessary, of existing lease agreements.