When inheriting property in Portugal, taxes are often a major concern—especially for international families. In this episode, we clarify how Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo) applies to inherited property, who is exempt, and why compliance matters even when no tax is payable.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Portugal does not impose a traditional inheritance tax. Instead, inheritances fall under Imposto do Selo, generally charged at a flat rate of 10% on the value of assets transferred by inheritance.

The following beneficiaries are typically exempt from paying the 10% Stamp Duty when inheriting property:

• Spouses

• Descendants (children, grandchildren)

• Ascendants (parents, grandparents)

While the tax may not apply, reporting obligations still remain and must be fulfilled.

Heirs who are not direct family members—such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or unrelated beneficiaries—are commonly subject to the 10% Stamp Duty.

Even exempt heirs must:

• Declare the inheritance

• Comply with filing and documentation requirements

• Ensure property registrations are correctly updated

Failure to do so can cause delays, penalties, or issues with future transactions.

This episode provides a straightforward explanation of how Stamp Duty affects inherited property in Portugal—helping heirs and advisors avoid surprises and stay compliant.

Portugal is often described as facing a housing shortage—yet walk through many towns and cities and you’ll see countless empty homes. So what explains this apparent contradiction? In this episode, we unpack the structural, legal, and economic reasons behind Portugal’s high number of vacant properties.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

A significant number of properties remain empty because they are tied up in:

• Ongoing inheritance proceedings

• Disputes between heirs

• Delays in probate or property registration

Until these issues are resolved, homes cannot be sold, rented, or occupied.

Many vacant properties are not abandoned at all—they are:

• Second or holiday homes

• Used seasonally rather than year-round

These properties appear vacant in census data despite being privately owned and maintained.

Some homes are:

• Held purely for long-term investment

• Registered for short-term accommodation and not occupied permanently

• Awaiting market conditions or regulatory clarity before being brought into use

Older housing stock, particularly outside major cities, often requires significant renovation before it can be lived in—leaving many properties temporarily or permanently empty.

National census data confirms substantial vacancy levels, sparking ongoing public and policy debate around housing supply, taxation, and urban regeneration.

This episode offers context and clarity to a widely discussed issue, helping listeners understand why vacancy in Portugal is often driven by structural and legal factors—not simply by neglect.

When international families own property or other assets in Portugal, one critical question often arises: Will a foreign will be recognised under Portuguese law? In this episode, we clarify how Portugal treats foreign wills—and why careful estate planning is essential to avoid unintended outcomes.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Portuguese law formally recognises public wills and closed wills, each with specific formal requirements.

Foreign wills may be valid in relation to Portuguese assets, provided they meet applicable legal standards and do not conflict with mandatory Portuguese rules. However, recognition alone does not always guarantee a smooth succession process.

In many cases, it is prudent to:

• Prepare a Portuguese will limited to assets located in Portugal, or

• Carefully coordinate dual wills (one Portuguese, one foreign)

This approach can significantly reduce administrative delays and legal uncertainty.

Portugal has forced heirship provisions, which can override testamentary intentions expressed in foreign wills. Without proper coordination, these rules may lead to outcomes very different from what the testator intended.

International estate planning is not just about will validity—it’s about compatibility, coordination, and compliance across jurisdictions.

This episode provides practical guidance for internationally mobile families and advisors navigating succession planning involving Portuguese assets.

Buying property in Portugal involves more than just the purchase price. In this episode, we walk through the key taxes and fees every buyer—local or foreign—should budget for when acquiring real estate in Portugal.

Understanding these costs upfront helps avoid surprises and ensures smoother transactions.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The main tax payable on acquisition is IMT (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis).

• IMT is calculated based on the type of property (urban, rural, residential, etc.)

• The rate increases progressively depending on the property value

• Different rules may apply for primary residence vs. investment property

In addition to IMT, buyers must pay Stamp Duty (Imposto do Selo) at a flat rate of 0.8% of the transaction value.

Property transfers also involve:

• Notary or deed formalisation costs

• Land registry and property registration fees

While smaller compared to taxes, these costs are mandatory and should be included in any purchase budget.

If the purchase is financed:

• Additional Stamp Duty applies to the loan amount

• The rate depends on the loan term and structure

This episode offers a practical overview of the real costs involved in buying Portuguese real estate—essential listening for anyone considering a purchase, whether for residence or investment.

Inheritance taxation is one of the most common—and misunderstood—questions when dealing with estates in Portugal. In this episode, we clarify how Portugal actually taxes inheritances and what families should expect when assets pass to the next generation.

The answer may surprise many international families.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Portugal does not impose a conventional inheritance or estate tax like many other countries. There is no progressive inheritance tax regime applied to estates as a whole.

Instead, inheritances are subject to Imposto do Selo (Stamp Duty) on gratuitous transfers, generally charged at a flat rate of 10%.

• Exempt beneficiaries:

– Spouses

– Descendants (children, grandchildren)

– Ascendants (parents, grandparents)

• Potentially taxable beneficiaries:

– Siblings

– More distant relatives

– Unrelated beneficiaries

For these recipients, the 10% Stamp Duty may apply depending on the asset and circumstances.

Understanding how Portugal treats inheritances is essential for:

• Cross-border estate planning

• Property succession

• Avoiding unexpected tax exposure for non-exempt heirs

This episode provides a straightforward explanation of Portugal’s inheritance tax framework—helping families, heirs, and advisors navigate succession with clarity and confidence.

When someone dies owning assets in Portugal, one legal step is often unavoidable: the habilitação de herdeiros. In this episode, we explain what this procedure is, why it matters, and when families must complete it to move forward with estate administration.

Understanding this process early can save time, reduce friction among heirs, and prevent costly delays.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

It is the formal declaration of heirs under Portuguese law, identifying:

• All legal heirs

• Their respective inheritance shares

This declaration creates legal certainty and allows third parties—banks, registries, and authorities—to act.

The habilitação de herdeiros is necessary to:

• Transfer or register immovable property

• Release bank accounts and financial assets

• Administer or transfer titled assets

Without it, estates cannot be properly settled.

• Extrajudicial (Balcão Heranças):

Available when all heirs are in agreement. This route is faster, simpler, and more cost-effective.

• Judicial inventory:

Required when heirs disagree on shares, asset allocation, or administration. This process involves the courts and can be significantly more complex.

For international families, this step often intersects with foreign wills, multiple jurisdictions, and property registrations—making early legal guidance essential.

This episode offers a practical overview of one of the most important steps in Portuguese succession law, helping families and advisors understand what is required—and why.

When someone dies owning assets in Portugal, one legal step is often unavoidable: the habilitação de herdeiros. In this episode, we explain what this procedure is, why it matters, and when families must complete it to move forward with estate administration.

Understanding this process early can save time, reduce friction among heirs, and prevent costly delays.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

It is the formal declaration of heirs under Portuguese law, identifying:

• All legal heirs

• Their respective inheritance shares

This declaration creates legal certainty and allows third parties—banks, registries, and authorities—to act.

The habilitação de herdeiros is necessary to:

• Transfer or register immovable property

• Release bank accounts and financial assets

• Administer or transfer titled assets

Without it, estates cannot be properly settled.

• Extrajudicial (Balcão Heranças):

Available when all heirs are in agreement. This route is faster, simpler, and more cost-effective.

• Judicial inventory:

Required when heirs disagree on shares, asset allocation, or administration. This process involves the courts and can be significantly more complex.

For international families, this step often intersects with foreign wills, multiple jurisdictions, and property registrations—making early legal guidance essential.

This episode offers a practical overview of one of the most important steps in Portuguese succession law, helping families and advisors understand what is required—and why.

Navigating inheritance procedures in a foreign country can feel overwhelming, especially when real estate is involved. In this episode, we unpack the very first step families must take when someone passes away owning property in Portugal.

The Portuguese succession process has specific legal requirements, and understanding them early can prevent delays, disputes, and costly mistakes.

🔎 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The process begins with requesting the will certificate from the IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado).

This crucial document confirms:

• Whether a Portuguese will exists

• Whether there are any testamentary dispositions affecting the estate

• Which succession rules must apply

If a will exists—or if one does not—the certificate helps determine whether the heirs must initiate the habilitação de herdeiros procedure, the formal process of identifying and recognizing the legal heirs.

Obtaining the will certificate sets the legal foundation for:

• Confirming heirs

• Completing inheritance tax obligations

• Proceeding with property registration

• Ensuring the estate transfer complies with Portuguese law

This episode provides a simple, practical explanation of the first step families and advisors must take when dealing with Portuguese estate matters—especially for foreigners or those with cross-border assets.