Buying Property in Portugal (third edition)

The book essentially covers two topics: thinking about where to settle in Portugal, and the steps to go through in securing your property there. I found the treatment of the second of these topics sound and useful, but the first very superficial and not helpful. A good example is the treatment of the Golden Visa program. This is an attractive program, and it has many components offering quite distinct ways of gaining residency in Portugal. Many of these ways are somewhat obscure, and information about them is not readily available on line - which is why I purchased this book. The entire section on this essential topic is less than a single page, with no useful information about any aspect of the program. The same can be said about the treatment of other forms of visas. To improve this book the author would have to do some serious leg work, traveling Portugal for up to date information about the property opportunities in the different sections of the country. She would also have to do some serious interviewing with lawyers and estate agents and government officials about how one might go about acquiring any of the various residency documents. Here is a simple example: To do anything in Portugal one needs a tax number. The subject is treated superficially in this book. Today I went to try to get my tax number and was refused because, as a non-EU citizen (USA) I needed a financial representative. Now without a tax number I cannot even begin to get a residency visa or purchase a property, so this is a big deal. The book does not say anything about how one goes about getting a financial representative and after a number of conversations with bankers and estate agents I still am in the dark. This is the sort of information that would be basic for a book on this topic. However, once one is seriously guying a property, the guidelines and cautions in this book would be useful.

A pretty good and informative book. Has a bit more info than some blog posts, but like most books, it is only as current as its publication date. If you are serious about relocating to Portugal, give it try but also do a ton of online research!

I was pleased to see this book covers the legal requirements with terminology in English and Portuguese for all aspects of property ownership. Personal case studies make for a quick interesting read. I will defiantly be using this as a reference when buying property in Portugal.

Good information!

Very good Information.....

Just the book we needed after 2 years in Lisbon, buying our first property.Well researched and logically structured.Good value :-)

Very helpful and informative. Well written.

Pretty basic stuff, but well presented and thorough. Found this guide very helpful.

I felt she was telling me off all the time, dont just buy after a holiday when you have fallen in love with Portugal, put your feet back on the ground and worry about all the possible pit falls that could happen.....I didnt like the friends stories, it seemed a way to get publicity for their various businesses. I have experience in buying houses abroad and most of what she said could be useful for a first time buyer....of course you have to be careful when buying in a foreign country....the chapter on the various regions was interesting.

This book is very good full of the real things you need to know about buying and living in PortugalWell done to the writer

This book is an essential guide in my opinion if you are contemplating buying property in Portugal. It also covers renting so it has all the possibilities in the book. I am delighted that I bought the book well done to the author.

This was purchased for a friend who needed a sensible book on 'what to do about living/building in Portugal'. I had an older copy but this revised edition is just what is needed by anyone who might be considering moving to Portugal.

It's good as far as it goes but I needed more than this book could give me.