The following is a list of some of the common legal terms that are likely to come up when buying property in Portugal and their English translations.
| Advogado | Lawyer or solicitor |
| Agente Imobiliário | Estate Agent |
| Apartamento/Andar | Apartment |
| Arquitecto | Architect |
| Consultor Fiscal | Tax consultant |
| Câmara Municipal | Town Hall |
| Casa-de-Banho | Bathroom |
| Cozinha | Kitchen |
| Condomínio | Community of owners / Residents Association |
| Compra/ Compra e Venda | Purchase / Buying and selling |
| Contrato de Compra e Venda | Purchase contract |
| Contrato de reserva | Reservation contract |
| Declaração de Obra Nova | Declaration of new building work (At the Notary) |
| Morada | Address |
| Quarto | Bedroom |
| Escritura | Title Deeds |
| Garantia | Guarantee |
| Hipoteca | Mortgage |
| IMI (Imposto Muncipal sobre Imóveis) | Council Tax |
| Imposto | Tax |
| Imobiliária | Estate Agency |
| IVA (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado) | VAT (Value Added Tax) |
| Chave | Key |
| Lei | Law |
| Licença | Licence |
| Luz | Light (but often refers to electricity) |
| Móveis | Furniture |
| NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) | Foreigner’s Identification Number |
| Pesquisa Predial | Land Registry Search |
| Notário | Notary Public |
| Autorização para Obras | Planning permission |
| Piscina | Swimming Pool |
| Procuração | Power of Attorney |
| Apólice de Seguro | Insurance policy |
| Promotor | Developer |
| Propiedade | Property |
| Registo Predial | Land Registry |
| Rendimento | Income |
| Residente | Resident |
| Seguros(s) | Insurance |
| Sociedade/Empresa | Company |
| Terraço | Terrace |
| Terreno | Plot |
| Testamento | Will |
| Arrecadação | Storage room |
| Valor Patrimonial | Official value of the property |
Need help buying property in Portugal?
Our UK-based team of property lawyers are highly experienced in helping clients to buy and sell property in Portugal, as well as handling a whole range of related issues, such as advice on Wills and inheritance.
With a thorough understanding of both UK and Portuguese law, we can provide clear, reliable legal guidance in plain English, giving you the confidence to deal effectively with property in Portugal.
Call: 01438 840 258 Email: admin@judicaregroup.com