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Buyer — Property Completion (Escritura)

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6. Property Completion (Deed Signing) in Portugal

The Moment Ownership Legally Transfers

The escritura — the final deed — marks the formal completion of the property purchase.

This is the point at which legal ownership transfers from seller to buyer.

All previous stages — financing approval, legal verification, and negotiation — come together here.

Once signed, the transaction becomes legally binding and final.

What Happens at This Stage

This phase formalises the legal transfer of ownership.

It typically includes:

  • payment of mandatory property taxes;

  • signing of the purchase deed or authenticated private agreement (Documento Particular Autenticado);

  • signing of the mortgage agreement (if financing applies);

  • registration of the bank mortgage;

  • payment of the remaining purchase price to the seller;

  • registration of ownership transfer;

  • delivery of the property keys to the new owner.

From this moment onward, the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property.

Why This Matters

Completion is far more than an administrative formality.

It is the legal act that:

  • officially transfers ownership;

  • activates the mortgage financing;

  • validates the legality of the transaction;

  • protects both buyer and seller under Portuguese law.

Any missing document or unpaid tax at this stage can delay — or even prevent — completion, despite months of preparation.

Ana and Pedro’s Story

When completion day arrived, Ana and Pedro expected a quick signing appointment.

They soon realised that several payments and legal confirmations needed to be finalised beforehand.

With TeamQASA’s guidance, all taxes were settled in advance and documentation verified prior to the scheduled date.

On completion day, the process ran smoothly.

After signing, they received the keys — officially becoming homeowners.

Documents & Definitions

Deed of Purchase and Sale (Escritura de Compra e Venda)
Legal act carried out before a notary, lawyer, or solicitor that formally transfers ownership of the property.

IMT — Property Transfer Tax (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis)
Tax paid by the buyer before completion, calculated based on the acquisition value.

Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo)
Tax applied both to the property purchase and to the mortgage amount when financing is involved.

Mortgage Agreement (Contrato de Mútuo com Hipoteca)
Loan agreement with the bank where the property serves as collateral for the mortgage.

Ownership Registration (Registo Predial de Aquisição)
Official registry update identifying the new legal owner.

Mortgage Registration (Registo de Hipoteca)
Registry entry confirming the bank’s security interest in the property until the loan is repaid.

Common Mistakes

  • failing to confirm taxes were paid before completion;

  • assuming the bank automatically handles all registrations;

  • not knowing the final amounts due on signing day;

  • overlooking personal or property details before signing;

  • scheduling renovations or moving dates before completion is finalized.

Did You Know?

Even if the CPCV has been signed and mortgage approval granted, the property legally belongs to the seller until the deed is signed and registered.

Ownership only transfers at completion — not before.