Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has signed off on a new housing law which aims to protect locals against gentrification as house prices have skyrocketed. The new law, which was passed by parliament in early July, seeks to curb runaway gentrification in Lisbon and other key cities and prioritise affordable housing and prevent evictions. Under the new law the Portuguese government is now responsible for ensuring adequate housing for all citizens as the ‘guarantor of the right to housing.’

About 18,000 British citizens living in Portugal have already applied online for a new residence permit under the Withdrawal Agreement, through the Brexit Portal, reported the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).

When you find your dream property in Portugal, what should you expect and should you prepare for the purchase of your property? The first step should be clarifying the aspects of the purchase, regarding the price and what’s included in the deal, as well as require all legal documents to proceed from the vendor. Before buying a property in Portugal, each grantor needs to have a Portuguese fiscal number which is a tax identification number issued by the Portuguese tax authorities. If you’re married, your spouse also needs to issue that number whichever is the assets condition. Also note that this number will always identify you as a tax payer.

Technical Specification of construction of property (Ficha Técnica da Habitação ou B.I. da Propriedade) its a document issued by the Engineer, indicating all materials used on the construction of properties with Utility licence dated after March 25th of 2004 as per the law no. 68/2004. This document is also request to all properties which have undertaken any alteration/extension and a new utility licence dated after March 25th 2004 has been issued replacing the old utility licence ..This document will become mandatory not only for properties, as now happens, but also for non-residential buildings, such as; shops or offices, among others.

Exemption will remain for those who already have it but new applicants will have a minimum tax. The government is now looking to make slight changes to these benefits. The idea is to keep the benefits for those that already have it and there will be reductions on new applications.