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

16 de June, 2026 | Vivian Perfeito | Real Estate Law

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

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

Abhishek Gurung

4 months ago

I came to Dra. Vivian in a very stressful situation. After more than 2 years waiting for my first residency card in Portugal, my AIMA portal was showing a rejection proposal and I had no idea what to do next. I had missed a document deadline, submitted documents physically with no receipt, and felt completely lost. Dra. Vivian acted quickly and professionally. She submitted a formal legal request to AIMA on my behalf and within just 15 days my case went from a rejection proposal to fully approved. I received my official AIMA declaration confirming my residence authorization today. She is responsive, honest about costs and timelines, and clearly knows exactly how to deal with AIMA cases. I would highly recommend Dra. Vivian to any immigrant in Portugal who is struggling with AIMA or residency issues. She genuinely helps people and gets results when it feels like all hope is lost. Thank you Dra. Vivian, I will never forget your help.

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Yuval Erlich

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

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Genuine and trustworthy lawer.

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8 months ago

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I P

Time very well spent

Norm Gates

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12 months ago

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1 year ago

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rohail ahmed

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Hussein Khattab

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2 years ago

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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. Vivian was always available to answer my questions and provided timely updates, which gave me peace of mind. 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

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3 years ago

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ilan

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

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