Quick Recap
In Part 1, we shared how buying an apartment in Portugal started with excitement and big dreams, then quickly became more complicated than expected. After falling in love with Tavira, we made an offer and moved into the promissory contract stage, only to realise how unfamiliar and stressful the process could be as foreigners. What seemed straightforward on the surface came with legal details, uncertainty, and the first signs that this would not be an easy journey. You can read the full beginning of our experience in Buying a Place in Portugal Part 1.
Part 2 picked up right where the stress intensified. Mortgage approvals, strict deadlines, and seller delays put us in a constant state of anxiety as we tried to keep everything moving forward. With approval windows closing and the risk of losing our deposit looming, it became clear just how fragile the process can feel when timelines stop aligning. If you missed it, Buying an Apartment in Portugal Part 2 covers the most nerve-wracking phase of our home-buying experience.
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We Are SO Close!
With 2 weeks left to go until we signed our deed, we tried to just be positive that nothing else would go wrong. I put up my Christmas tree and got into the Christmas spirit. I normally put up my tree in November, but since I thought we were moving, I didn’t want to put it up, take it down to move it, and put it up again, so I didn’t. We had our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, we went to a Christmas Market and saw the largest Nativity Scene in Portugal (check out my blog post about it, it was really cool), and got ready to move.
More Difficulties with the Sellers
The two weeks passed, and everything seemed to be moving along as planned. We met with our lawyer again to prepare for the signing, and that is when he dropped a fun little bombshell: the sellers would not be there. They were sending their lawyer to sign on their behalf.
I was PISSED.
These were the same people who had refused to let us sign early because they didn’t want their lawyer handling it. At one point, we had even offered them extra money up front and told them they could stay in the property as long as they needed, just to get the paperwork moving. They refused. They made the whole process incredibly difficult and stressful every step of the way. And in the end, they didn’t even bother to show up. I was so angry I could barely see straight.
Signing Day is Finally Here, with Another Surprise
We went to the signing, hesitant that something else would go wrong. Everything had been up until this point. I generally try to be positive and optimistic, but with everything that had happened, I was struggling.
And of course, something did go wrong. We were putting down 50% and getting a mortgage for the rest, but when we sat down to sign, the bank rep handed over a check for less than the amount we had applied for. No explanation, no communication beforehand, just less money than we were expecting. Since we had moved over just enough to cover the taxes plus a little extra, we were suddenly short. Side note: when you buy a property in Portugal, you pay all your taxes in one lump sum at signing, which is a fun surprise if nobody warned you. After covering everything, we had €300 left in our bank account. I was livid. But we signed and figured we would deal with it later.
How Closing Day Works in Portugal
Closing day in Portugal, known as the escritura, is the final step where ownership officially transfers to the buyer. This usually takes place at a notary’s office and includes the buyers, sellers, lawyers, and sometimes a representative from the bank. Everything is reviewed and signed in person, and once the paperwork is complete, the property is legally yours.
The process itself is fairly straightforward, but it can feel intense after everything leading up to it. Documents are read through carefully, final payments are confirmed, keys are handed over, and there is a strong sense of finality once signatures are done. After months of stress and uncertainty, closing day felt more like relief than a celebration.
One thing that surprised us was how quickly it was over once it started. After all the delays, anxiety, and buildup, the actual signing was calm and efficient. We walked in nervous and walked out homeowners, finally able to breathe again.
Final Costs and Paperwork Explained
- Final bank paperwork and mortgage documents were completed before signing
- Last-minute legal documents were reviewed and approved by our lawyer
- Property registration and ownership records were verified
- Confirmation that there were no outstanding debts tied to the apartment
- Final payments for required taxes and fees were made
- Legal and administrative fees were settled as part of the closing process
We got our keys!
Yay! We officially had our keys to our own apartment!!!! After we left the signing, we headed over to see our new home!
Expecting the Worst and Being Pleasantly Surprised
The contract stated that the apartment was being sold furnished, but once we received the inventory list, things felt unclear. The list included itemised furniture with quantities, yet only a few items were clearly defined.
What was actually listed with quantities included:
• Shelves
• Chairs
• A handful of random kitchen items
When we questioned the vague inventory, we were basically told that if we were unhappy, there were other buyers waiting. At that point, we accepted that we might need to fully furnish the apartment ourselves.
Walking into the apartment for the first time, we truly did not know what to expect. After such a difficult process, I mentally prepared for the worst. Instead, it was more than fine. Everything was still there. It felt strange, almost like the owners had stepped out for a short trip and planned to return. They had even left behind a computer and clothes in the dresser. Considering they said they needed extra time to clear the apartment, it did not seem like much had been removed at all. More than anything, we felt relief knowing we would not need to furnish an entire apartment from scratch.
The next day, we went back to sort through everything. There was a surprising amount of stuff, including a garage full of items and even a few bikes. We spent time:
• Separating what we wanted to keep
• Donating items to a charity shop
• Listing some things on Marketplace
• Making space for our own belongings
It was a lot to deal with, but also a turning point. After everything we had been through, it finally felt like our place, and we could take our time turning it into a home.
Finally Settling In:
Fast forward, it’s now February, and we are still settling in. We have continued to have a couple of challenges, but we are making our place our own. We still have to swap out a few items, but we are taking our time to find things we really like. Overall, we like our apartment and love that it is ours.
Tips for Foreign Buyers in Portugal
If you are interested in buying a property in Portugal, be prepared to encounter some headaches.
- The number one thing is to get a lawyer. Our lawyer was invaluable; we could not have done any of it without him.
- The paperwork process is actually easier compared to the U.S.
- Confirm exactly what “sold furnished” means before signing
- There is no escrow account; you will transfer money directly to the sellers.
- Use a funds broker to get better rates.
- Be prepared for a lot of waiting! Bureaucracy is a lot slower here.
- Budget for closing costs beyond the sale price (taxes, fees, notary)
- If you are getting a mortgage, you can use a mortgage broker to find the best rates from different banks. Ask for a translator at the bank. I didn’t know that, and the woman at the bank didn’t speak a lot of English, so it was difficult to communicate with her. I should have asked for a translator to help with the whole process.
- Be prepared for a lot of stress. Everyone that I know who has purchased property here has had a difficult time with it. I don’t know why, but everyone seems to encounter issues, but they have all worked out. In the end, the stress seems to be worth it.
Final Thoughts on Buying an Apartment in Portugal
Buying an apartment in Portugal was far more stressful than we ever expected, and there were moments right up until the end where it felt like everything could still fall apart. Looking back, we would have started the bank process earlier, assumed delays were inevitable even at the final stage, and done more emotional preparation alongside the financial planning. The paperwork, timelines, and uncertainty can take a real toll if you’re not ready for it.
That said, it was absolutely worth it. Once the keys were finally in our hands, the stress faded quickly and was replaced with relief and a sense of accomplishment. This experience reinforced that buying property abroad is rarely straightforward, but it can be incredibly rewarding if you go in informed, patient, and prepared for a few sleepless nights along the way.
If you’re considering buying property in Portugal, especially as a foreigner, I hope our experience helps set realistic expectations. It’s not always smooth, but with the right support and mindset, it is possible to make it to the other side and call it home.
Follow Me
Check out my Instagram @vegas.to.portugal for some pics and videos of our apartment and more content of our life and journey of settling into living in Portugal. For a more unfiltered look at daily life abroad, come find me on TikTok @expat.in.portugal! And if you are new here, take a look around the blog. There is plenty more where this came from!💙
