A typical Portugal purchase goes:
(1) agree terms,
(2) lawyer checks title/charges and key documents (e.g., property registry extracts),
(3) sign the promissory contract (CPCV) and pay a deposit,
(4) arrange finance and final checks,
(5) sign the final deed (commonly referred to as the escritura or equivalent formalised deed) and transfer funds,
(6) register ownership so your rights are protected. The CPCV is important because it’s usually the point where commitments become much harder to unwind.
In most cases an estate agent will assist with this process. We strongly recommend appointing an independent lawyer if you are considering a property purchase or investment in Portugal.
