Buying a Property Under Construction in Portugal: What Legal Precautions Are Necessary?

Written by Vivian Perfeito on 16 de June, 2026. Posted in Uncategorized.

The purchase of properties under construction — including through the assignment of contractual position agreements — has become a popular option among foreigners seeking more competitive prices and the potential for future appreciation.

However, this type of transaction requires additional legal precautions.

What Should You Verify Before Buying?

Developer’s Background

It is important to assess:

The company’s track record;
Financial stability;
Previously completed developments;
Any significant legal disputes.

Licensing

The buyer should confirm:

Construction permit;
Approved project plans;
Compliance with zoning regulations.

Preliminary Agreement

The CPCV must clearly provide for:

Completion deadline and payment schedule;
Penalties for late payment;
Refund Policy;
Technical specifications of the property.

What are the most common risks?

Delays in delivery;
Changes to the project;
Licensing issues;
Insolvency of the developer.

Legal due diligence conducted before signing the contract can significantly reduce these risks and also enable the buyer to complete the transaction with the support of a mortgage or financing specifically designed for properties under construction. Your dream may be just one step away from becoming a reality.

Dra. Vivian Perfeito

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Sofia Bekker

09:19 23 Apr 26

I would like to say that Vivian is a good and honest lawyer, she listened attentively to my situation and she put step by step guidance of what I should do next to achieve my goal. Will continue working with her on my case .

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19:27 08 Apr 26

Genuine and trustworthy lawer.

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07:54 20 Mar 26

My first interaction with Dra Perfeito is an online consultation. She had left a great first impression to me with her willingness to help and extensive knowledge on how to navigate through the documentation and beaurocratic process. She is extremely flexible and is open to supporting me as to in ways I feel comfortable. I would highly recommend her!

I P

15:46 11 Mar 26

Time very well spent

Norm Gates

16:26 08 Mar 26

Dear New Clients,l would like to share my Amazing expierence with Vivian and her team.She is very professional and organized from the begining of my application to Me getting my D7 Visa in a timely manner.She helped me in every step and made this experience very enjoyable.I met her in Porto and we went over everything as well.She has a team of Realtors that will help you find yourNew Home.She made Me feel Porto is my new home.She is also a great friend of mine now.So enjoy the journey with Vivian and her team it will be well worth it.Thank you Vivian and Your Team

Juliette Gaines

12:27 28 Nov 25

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14:48 13 Nov 25

I can not recommend Vivian enough! I hired her when I was in London, preparing to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, and she was phenomenal!

Her advice was clear, she was understanding, and was always quick to communicate. There was an instance where I flew into Porto to attend to some matters, and within a day, with Vivian's help, I had obtained my tax number and a bank account.

As someone who could barely make sense of the entire process, I can only say that Vivian was the perfect person to hire, and I highly recommend her for anyone else in a similar position.

rohail ahmed

21:24 07 Nov 25

Dra Vivian is truly one of the best immigration lawyers in Porto. She assisted me in preparing all the necessary documentation for my residence permit renewal and also helped with the legal defence submission to AIMA, all within a single appointment. During our in-person meeting, I found her to be exceptionally professional, friendly, empathetic, and welcoming. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking expert guidance with immigration matters.

Kliber Henrique

14:57 29 Oct 25

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20:10 26 Oct 25

I had an exceptional experience with Dra. Vivian Perfeito. Beyond her legal expertise, she truly takes time to understand each client’s unique needs and provides personalized, practical advice.
What stood out most was her ability to simplify complex legal issues while maintaining a warm, empathetic approach. She makes clients feel supported and understood.
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15:43 30 Sep 25

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14:34 10 Sep 25

I am delighted to speak with the lawyer, a great pleasure to exchange with you, thank you very much and see you soon

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09:31 08 Sep 25

I had an outstanding experience with Vivian going over the finer details of my immigration visa application. Her expertise and professionalism were truly impressive. She took the time to thoroughly explain the visa process, addressing all my questions with clarity and patience. Her extensive knowledge of immigration law gave me confidence with the application. She provided practical, tailored advice that made the complex process feel easily manageable. She's very approachable, responsive, and I felt she's genuinely committed to helping her clients get a positive outcome. I highly recommend Vivian to anyone who seeking reliable and concise legal guidance! I have shared her details with others in the area looking for a good lawyer.

Flavia Mariotto Consultoria

09:38 04 Sep 25

Extremely professional, highly knowledgeable about Portuguese laws and administrative procedures, and always up to date in her field. Her deep understanding of the legal and bureaucratic processes in Portugal makes everything much smoother and gives clients great peace of mind. On top of that, her service is always empathetic, responsive, and efficient. I highly recommend Dr. Vivian Perfeito, who has been assisting our family for the past 7 years.

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17:36 20 Aug 25

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21:19 11 Aug 25

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13:49 02 Aug 25

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18:10 30 Jul 25

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18:19 17 Jul 25

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10:06 15 Jul 25

Super attentive, polite and very friendly, willing to help and resolve issues. The meeting was light, everything was clear and I left with all the answers I needed! Dr. Vivian, thank you.

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19:29 10 Jul 25

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I enjoyed and felt good about the work and advice Dr. Vivian offered for my case.
Her work helps us understand the best options.
I recommend Dr. Vivian!
Thank you.

Alexandra Ruggiero

15:33 08 Jul 25

Dra. Vivian Perfeito was great and I would highly recommend her to anyone. She was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. She was able to answer all of my questions fully. I feel very secure that the citizenship process for my husband will be very easy and thorough working with Dra. Vivian Perfeito.

pierre morin

20:37 19 Jun 25

Very responsive, quick and effective at helping me get a NIF. Obrigado !

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10:11 19 Jun 25

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11:28 27 May 25

Vivian is really perfect in every way with assisting regarding renewal of residency. She communicates clearly, friendly and gives valuable advice. This was the most amazing experience I have had in Portugal dealing with these matters. Thank you Vivian. I am feeling blessed that I found you. Gratitude Marianne

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16:11 24 May 25

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10:22 22 May 25

Highly professional and personable, Vivian makes you feel very comfortable whilst taking you through a highly personalised approach to immigration in Portugal. Would recommend to anyone, and will also recommend to my network when needed.

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20:02 27 Feb 25

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Dra. Vivian Perfeito who, from the first meeting to the final email, accompanied us with great professionalism, passion and unfailing responsiveness in the process of recognizing my spouse's diploma. We couldn't have found a better lawyer. Her advice, determination and positive energy carried us through these very trying stages. It's with great pleasure that we ask her to be our official representative for all other formalities before and after our arrival. Thank you again, because professionals as serious and committed as you are becoming increasingly rare. It's important to feel supported, and that's what we got from you. You made a real difference.

Jacky Singh

15:49 21 Feb 25

Gavin Kose

11:43 21 Feb 25

Vivian was absolutely amazing and I’ll always get a quick response from her. She helped me with my Portugal tax number and it was very fast. Her instructions were clear and we got it within a week of submission. Highly recommended her for any of your Portugal legal needs.

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09:18 14 Feb 25

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11:49 05 Feb 25

We had a wonderful experience working with Dra. Vivian Perfeito. She is a trusted source for anyone seeking assistance with opening a bank account or seeking a visa in Portugal.

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08:50 19 Jan 25

My online appointment with Vivian was exactly what I was looking for. She was very kind, thorough, and she is clearly very knowledgeable about immigration laws and standards. She answered all of my (many) questions and helped me gain a thorough understanding of the process for my family very quickly.

Alberto Estrada

20:03 22 Nov 24

I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding legal services provided by the lawyer Vivian Perfeito in helping me obtain my residence in Portugal. From the very beginning, Vivian demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication to my case.
The process of securing residency can be overwhelming, but she made it seamless. She took the time to explain each step of the procedure in detail, ensuring that I fully understood the requirements and expectations.
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Thanks to Vivian, I was able to secure my appointment and successfully complete the necessary steps to obtain my residency in Portugal. I highly recommend Vivian to anyone looking for expert legal assistance in navigating the complexities of immigration law in Portugal.
Thank you again, Vivian, for your invaluable support!
Alberto Estrada

Zsuzsanna Vágenhoffer

16:29 27 Oct 24

Me and my husband contacted Vivian for help regarding the Portuguese citizenship. She always answered for us quickly and helped us with any questions we had. She is an excellent professional and we totally recommend her. Since Vivian knew the system and processes, we felt in good hands.

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10:50 09 Oct 24

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08:35 08 Oct 24

Vivian is very responsive and knowledgable. Highly recommended for complex immigration matters!

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13:47 30 Sep 24

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15:52 27 Sep 24

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I am trying to contact you from last three Months but unfortunately no Response from your side. I emailed multiple times & WhatsApps but no response. Heartbroken 💔💔💔

Cavalier Numedien

13:03 06 Aug 24

Dear Dra. Vivian Perfeito,

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable assistance you provided. Your kindness and availability during our phone conversations were remarkable. Unlike others, you took the time to answer my questions without demanding any payment, which reflects your great professionalism and humanity.
Furthermore, your offer to help my friends and me obtain our residence cards is a gesture we will never forget. Your support is extremely valuable to us, and I will not hesitate to recommend your services to anyone seeking a competent and dedicated lawyer.

With all my appreciation.

Jim Hudgins

14:51 31 Jul 24

Vivian Perfeito is by far the best attorney I have used in international and domestic legal services. Vivian’s level of expiernce and expertise far exceeding my expectations. I highly recommend using her services for all your legal needs in immigration, visa applications, business startups and all real estate transactions as well. I will be using her services with our transition from the states to Portugal.

Allen Wittert

16:34 25 Jul 24

I took a chance with going to see Vivian because I am hesitant about finding someone online. But, not knowing many people in PT, and after seeing Vivian speaking confidently and concisely on YouTube links and sharing knowledge generously, I made an appointment and went to see her about my current and future residency status. Vivian is a warm and intelligent lawyer, and gave me quality time, and quickly gained an insight into what would be the best way forward for me. We have just started the process but I feel confident she knows her stuff, and has my best interests at heart, a rare quality to find in any person.

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13:31 20 Jun 24

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Prashant Basanagoudar

19:39 07 Jun 24

Dra. Vivian Perfeito is a diligent professional who is reliable and trustworthy. Vivian represented me at Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira/Portal das Finanças for NIF and delivered the result in under 48 hours. I highly recommend Vivian for her exceptional work-ethic and responsiveness.

Samer Marrash (Sqmer)

16:56 27 May 24

So far I had one call with Dra. Vivian, and I could already see that she is a very nice person who is very knowledgable about her domain. She was able to answer all my questions as well as recommend other people to me who could help me. She actually cares about her client's cases and takes her time to study the case (via email) before joining the call to give the best experience. I highly recommend Dra. Vivian

Rebecca “Becks” Byrnes

17:10 09 May 24

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of working with Vivian for drafting and reviewing a rental contract. Vivian's warmth, responsiveness, and genuine friendliness made the entire process a breeze for both of us. She not only showed incredible professionalism but also made us feel like valued clients every step of the way. With Vivian's expertise and delightful personality, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wholeheartedly recommend Vivian to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you, Vivian, for your exceptional service!! :)

Cláudia Rodrigues

19:05 20 Mar 24

Great. I needed help and Doctor Vivian was very quick to respond and helped prevent me from spending a lot of money too. I am truly grateful for the availability and attention she gave me.

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08:33 18 Mar 24

Extremely competent professional, I recommend him.

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10:53 15 Mar 24

Vivian was really kind and professional in her service and helped me with everything I needed. Recommended!

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23:51 13 Mar 24

Dra. Vivian provided excellent and timely advice to my inquiry. Highly recommended.

Raphael B

05:32 04 Mar 24

Vivian and team were excellent in executing my citizenship application!

Abdul Rehman Yasin

16:07 16 Feb 24

Dra. Vivian is the most humble and caring lawyer I have met in a long while. I am writing this as a lawyer myself, she is very sincere and dedicated in solving her client's issues. Keep up the good work and I wish her best of luck !

NWCHEVY

19:16 19 Jan 24

My wife and I made a decision to start our immigration process in October of 2023. Vivian was recommended to us around that same time.

We both appreciate everything Vivian has helped us with through the process. We are now waiting on our visa. Vivian has proved very knowledgeable and without her help, we would have struggled. Her communication has always been excellent and never missed a meeting. We communicated in English with no problems. Her dedication and experience are highly rated by us.

Flávio Allevato Ramalho

08:26 19 Jan 24

Dr Vivian was incredibly kind to deal with. She is very confident and knows her job very well, preparing my emigration to Portugal. Her vast legal knowledge leaves me safe and confident in future decisions regarding the purchase or rental of property, avoiding the traps and tricks so common in this segment.

Dennis Keithly

00:55 18 Jan 24

Dra. Vivian Perfeito went above and beyond, plus exceeded my expectations on getting banking and insurance handled with special notary requirements. I highly recommend her on your tax ID, banking and insurance matters. She has been a God send with the Potugues bureaucracy,

Cilmar Kuczkowski

23:22 17 Jan 24

Samir Costa

15:44 15 Jan 24

Dr Vivian Perfeito is an excellent lawyer. My family is in the process of applying for citizenship for their Portuguese grandson and their attention, dedication and constant support impresses us. We recommend your services. Distinguished professional in her area of expertise.

Marco Quelho

17:42 02 Jan 24

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Vivian Perfeito on business opening issues. She was extremely helpful in guiding me through the process of opening a business in Portugal. Her experience and knowledge in business law were evident from the beginning, and she kept me informed at every step of the process. She was very professional and attentive, and I recommend her services to anyone who needs help with business issues.

Fernando Pernica

09:54 12 Dec 23

Dr. Vivian was more than a helping hand when I moved to Portugal! In addition to carrying out the work I hired her for, she was always available to answer my questions; and I had many! Always responding to my emails within 24 business hours, she took care of what was a stressful process for me, and helped me focus on the other aspects of the move. If I could, I would hire her as a lawyer in all areas!

Becky Shurson

19:01 08 Dec 23

Dra. Vivian Perfeito provided professional and timely assistance with our foreign corporate tax issue. She demonstrated her expertise and knowledge and provided resources to help us to find the best solution for the situation. She was extremely helpful and courteous throughout our interactions, and I am thankful for her support and guidance.

Monica

10:49 07 Dec 23

Sergio Sousa

17:22 06 Dec 23

Dra.Vivian Perfeito is very professional and courteous.
Highly recommended!!

James Parker

11:27 05 Dec 23

If you need a attorney in Portugal, I highly recommend Vivian Perfeito. She is a kind and professional person. My wife and I are from the United States, and are now living here in Portugal. Mrs Vivian took care of us before we arrived. She acquired our NIF'S for us quickly and at a very reasonable rate. I also know I can count on her to answer any questions that may arise. Mrs Vivian responds quickly and her communication skills are excellent. My wife and I fully trust her with her expertise. She truly is a exceptional person and attorney..!!!

Tania Custodio

17:40 20 Nov 23

Dr Vivian Perfeito is a highly-capable, professional, diligent, charismatic, caring, and above all, honest, attorney! It has been and continue to be a pleasure working with her, and we would highly recommend her to anyone in need of legal services. Thank you Vivian! Best Regards, Tania and Luiz Custodio.

Ilana Amar Leshem

15:00 27 Oct 23

I found Dr. Vivian Perfeito online. I asked to speak to her, and she responded immediately. She is not only a good lawyer , but also a super nice person. We are immigrants in Portugal, and she referred me first of all, to all the no cost options of getting our documentation! I was very impressed by her willingness to help get us on our feet! I highly recommend it!

ilan

16:22 10 Oct 23

I was referred to Vivian and I wanted to thank her for her responsiveness and help. Vivian is very thorough and professional, in addition to being very nice person. Her English proficiency was very much appreciated and it made our communication easy. I would definitely recommend her for anybody who is looking to purchase property in Portugal or move to this wonderful country and I will definitely use her legal services in the future.

Paula Correia

15:09 10 Oct 23

Buying a Property Under Construction in Portugal: What Legal Precautions Are Necessary?

What Should You Verify Before Buying?

Developer’s Background

Licensing

Preliminary Agreement

What are the most common risks?

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Dra. Vivian Perfeito

Porto, Portugal