Inheriting property in Portugal as a foreign heir
Inherited a house or land in Portugal? Which law applies, the Tax Office deadline, stamp duty, the declaration of heirs and your options.
A Portuguese inheritance, handled in English from start to finish.
For heirs of property in Portugal, wherever they live.
What happens after a death
When someone leaves assets in Portugal, the death must be reported to the Tax Office within a few months, the heirs must be formally identified and the property must be registered in their favour before it can be divided or sold. Deadlines apply, documents from other countries need special treatment, and the system is unfamiliar to most foreign families.
What we do
- Which law applies we help clarify whether Portuguese law or another country's law governs the inheritance.
- Tax Office reporting the death and the assets on time, and dealing with stamp duty where it applies.
- Declaration of heirs we gather the documents, including foreign certificates, and prepare and attend the formal declaration.
- Property records we confirm what the estate really owns, on paper and on the ground.
- Division or sale an agreement between the heirs, or a sale, through to final registration.
One step requires people to attend. The declaration of heirs is made in person by declarants, normally three people who know the family. They can often be people living in Portugal, so heirs abroad usually don't need to travel. The other steps can be signed through a power of attorney.
Learn more
Have you inherited property in Portugal?
Tell us what you know, even if it is very little. We'll explain the steps, the deadlines and the costs.