Buying real estate in Portugal with the help of a mortgage loan is a common choice for both locals and foreigners. To obtain a mortgage, you’ll need to provide a specific set of documents proving your identity, financial stability, and the legal status of the property. Below is a list of documents most frequently requested by banks in Portugal (such as Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Millennium BCP, Santander, BPI, Novo Banco, and others).
1. Personal Identification Documents
- Passport or EU citizen card
- Portuguese tax identification number (NIF)
- Marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable
- Proof of residential address (e.g. utility bill or municipal certificate)
2. Financial Documents
- Last 3 payslips
- Employment confirmation letter
- Latest income tax return (IRS) and official tax assessment (nota de liquidação)
- Bank statements from the last 3–6 months
- Details on any existing loans or financial obligations
3. Property Documents
- Land registry certificate (Certidão do Registo Predial)
- Property tax document (Caderneta Predial Urbana)
- Usage license (Licença de Utilização) or construction permit
- Energy performance certificate
- Property layout or floor plan
- Preliminary sales agreement (if signed)
4. Additional Documents
- Pre-registration of purchase and mortgage with the Land Registry
- European Standardized Information Sheet (Ficha de Informação Normalizada Europeia – FINE)
- Certified translations of documents (required for foreigners)
Conclusion
The mortgage application process in Portugal is straightforward but requires careful document preparation. The more complete and accurate your file, the faster the bank can make a decision. If you are a foreigner or buying property for the first time, it’s strongly advised to consult with the bank or a mortgage broker in advance.