Portugal Solicitors
We are an English, French and German speaking law office with multiple branches in Portugal with over 20 years experience in property conveyancing, commercial and other areas of the law.
Services
Property Conveyance
The literal definition of conveyancing is the transfer of legal title of real property from one person to another, or the granting of an encumbrance such as a mortgage.
Golden Visa
The Golden Visa scheme was launched by the Portuguese Government in 2012 as a fast track for investors to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal without having to live in Portugal. The permit allows visa free travel throughout the 26 Schengen States and allows the holder to apply for a European Passport or permanent residency in 6th year.
Non-Habitual Residency scheme (NHR)
This is a scheme that was introduced by the Portuguese government to provide tax benefits to those persons looking to retire in Portugal.
Information
Our Team
Our team of qualified lawyers strives to provide a professional and personalised service to our international clientele.
Our team of qualified lawyers strives to provide a professional and personalised service to our international clientele. Vitor Ferreira – Senior Partner Registered lawyer of the Bar Association since 2001 Bar association Number: 355-F Languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese Law Degree, Lusófona University, 2000 Registered in the Portuguese Lawyers Bar Association, 2001 Course, General Regime of Administrative Offenses, by Lusófona College, 2002 Course, Labor Law, by Lusófona College, 2002 Course - Technical-Professional - Computer Management Course - Coaching and preparation of Trainees Main areas of practice: Conveyance Criminal Law Civil Law Wills and probate Litigation Ana Sofia Belchior Da Silva Fereira– Senior Partner Registered lawyer of the Bar Association since 2001 Bar association Number - 358-F Law Degree, Lusofona University, 2000 Registered in the Portuguese Lawyers Bar Association, 2001 Course, General Regime of Administrative Offenses, by Lusófona College, 2002 Course, Labor Law, by Lusófona College, 2002 Languages: English, French and Portuguese Main areas of practice: Conveyance Criminal Law Civil Law Family law Joana Conceição Registered lawyer of the Bar Association since 2017 Bar association Number: 56555F Presently obtaining a Masters Degree in Penal Law, Lusofona University of Humanities and Technologies, Law Degree, Lusofona University, 2014 Registered in the Portuguese Lawyers Bar Association, 2014 Conference “Interpretation and translation of procedural documents in criminal proceedings - the non-conformity of the Criminal Procedure with Directive 2010/64 / EU” – Loulé, 2017 Conference “Accidents the WorkPlace – Portimão, 2016 (AO-ISMAT)Conference – Civil Responsibility – Traffic Accidents, 2016 (ISMAT) Conference “NRAU – Processing for NRAU, improvements; The special eviction procedure – Faro, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association) Conference “CIRE – The Insolvency of Individuals” – Portimão, 2016 (ISMAT) Course “Administrative Procedures” – Faro, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association) Conference: “The Prior Communication, in the scope of Urban Management - The past, the future – its Practical application” – Portimão, 2016 (ISMAT). Course “Company Law” – Faro, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association). Conferência: “Animal abuse and Abandonment of animals” – Faro, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association). Conference: “Justice and The Media” – Faro, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association). Lecture: “Family law, Children and the young: The New Regime” – Olhão, 2016 (Lawyers Bar Association). Main areas of practice: Conveyance Civil/Contracts Litigation Law Criminal Law Labor Law Family Law Hannah Currah Legal secretary since 2016
Rental (AL) License
A detailed overview of the Alojamento Local (AL) rental requirements and tax implications vs rent.
The below document, drafted by a qualified accountant, illustrates the differences between the Local Lodging requirements vs rent. For further information on taxation and accountancy advice, please contact us here.
FAQ
Some frequently asked questions and answers.
Q. How long does the Conveyancing for a normal sale or purchase take in Portugal? The average length of time for a property sale or purchase to take, is around 4 – 8 weeks but as always the length of time can be determined by a host of various factors. Q. Do I need a tax number to buy a property in Portugal? Yes, this is called a Portuguese fiscal number or (NIF) and is needed by all persons buying a property or opening a bank account here. We will obtain the NIFS on your behalf as part of the services that we provide. Q. Can a solicitor act for the buyer and the seller of a property? Yes, if the buyer and seller are established clients of the firm. Both the buyer and seller have to agree to the same solicitor being used. Situations like this need to be carefully considered as a ‘conflict of interest’ issue may arise so normally this service is reserved for purchases between family members or trusted friends. Q. Are there any hidden costs? No, there are no hidden costs associated with our conveyancing service. We will provide you with a fixed legal fee to cover the work. We will only ever increase the fee, if, during the transaction, something comes to light which was unforeseen. If this did happen, we would discuss this with you before incurring extra charges. Q. What is the difference between a promissory contract and completion? A promissory contract (similar to an exchange of contract) is when the buyer and seller enter into a legally binding agreement to buy and sell on a set date. Once an exchange has taken place, both parties are committed to the sale/purchase, and cannot pull out of the transaction without legal penalties. Promissory contract is also when the buyer usually pays a deposit, typically 10%. Completion refers to the day on which all payments have been made/received, that the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. Q. How do I get the utility payments changed to my name? I will provide this service for you at the completion of the final deed at the notary. Q. What happens to deeds when purchasing a house? Most properties are now registered at the Land Registry and the legal documents are held electronically by them. We will send you copies of the documents, and any other supporting documents once the application for registration has been completed. Any old deeds that are no longer needed to prove title to the property would normally be sent to you. Q. Do I need to draft a will for my assets in Portugal? Please click here for more information on this matter. Q. What are the common causes of delay? Although we will always endeavour to ensure that everything will be ready for a particular date stipulated in the promissory contract there are factors outside of our control that can impact on the completion:- • Searches or enquiries revealing something unexpected that has to be rectified with the town hall or tax department • Mortgage application taking longer than anticipated to process, perhaps because a reference required by the lender from a third party is not immediately forthcoming, or because the mortgage lender is unusually busy• Someone else in the chain not wanting to proceed as quickly as the others
About
We are a well established law practise with multiple offices in Portugal and we have over 20 years’ experience in property conveyancing, commercial and other areas of the law. English and French are spoken fluently within our team of dedicated and fully qualified partners.
We pride ourselves in taking a proactive and professional approach to all manors of our clients’ requirements and we place great emphasis in ensuring that we work with your specific needs in an efficient, transparent and highly technical manor and always with your best interests always at the core of all of our services and advice.
We pride ourselves on having the best selection of fully qualified and dedicated lawyers that have the necessary experience and knowledge in a variety of areas under Portuguese law for both corporate and private individuals.
“It is our duty and commitment to make sure that all of your legal needs are appropriately and professionally looked after to ensure we navigate you through the layers of bureaucracy to achieve your goals” – Vitor Ferreira
• English and French speaking lawyers
• Fully qualified by the BAR
• Professional
• Dedicated
Please click here for further information about our team of qualified lawyers.
Gallery
