Buying property in Lisbon: Guide for Americans

Evidence tier: A1 Evidence type: Auto-discovered official publication Source: Wise Blog Official publication date: 2026-08-26 Captured: 2026-08-30T12:34:22.158Z

Lisbon is a beautiful city, with a vibrant culture, rich local history, and booming tourism market. It’s no wonder Lisbon is a popular choice for US expats seeking a new life abroad!

However, before buying property in Lisbon, you’ll need to understand the ins and outs of the Portuguese property purchase process.

We’ve put together a guide to buying property in Lisbon – everything you need to know about fees, costs, and the best neighborhoods for US expats.

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<table><thead><tr><th>Table of contents</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-lisbon#buying-property-in-lisbon-costs-taxes-and-fees">Buying property in Lisbon: costs, taxes, and fees</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-lisbon#how-to-buy-property-in-lisbon-as-an-american-step-by-step">How to buy property in Lisbon as an American: step-by-step</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-lisbon#where-can-i-find-a-property-to-buy-in-lisbon">Where can I find a property to buy in Lisbon?</a></li><li><a href="https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-property-in-lisbon#what-are-the-best-areas-to-buy-property-in-lisbon">What are the best areas to buy property in Lisbon?</a></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

Buying property in Lisbon: costs, taxes, and fees

Moving to Portugal is an attractive prospect for US expats and investors, but you’ll need to look into how much it costs to buy real estate in Lisbon.

The cost of buying property in Lisbon can vary depending on the type of property you want, the area you choose, and what you plan to do with your new home.

💡 In addition to the price of your new property, you’ll pay a few key fees for your Lisbon property purchase.

Let’s take a closer look at the costs of buying property in Lisbon. What fees, taxes, and local costs will you pay to secure your dream home?

What’s the average cost of real estate in Lisbon?

As the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon is a popular location for foreign expats and property investors. The city has a steady stream of tourists, with many foreigners purchasing second homes or rental properties.

The average price of a house in Lisbon is 620,000 EUR. Residential properties cost around 5450 EUR per square meter, but the exact cost will vary depending on location and property type.¹

Apartments are the most common property type in Lisbon, with a huge range of modern developments and historic buildings.

While some studio apartments may be relatively affordable, many apartment buildings come with luxury amenities and a higher price tag.²

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What types of taxes and fees do I need to pay for buying property in Portugal?

There are some additional taxes and fees for buying a house in Portugal, such as legal fees, notary fees, stamp duty, and property transfer tax.

In Lisbon, you can expect to pay closing costs of 6% to 9% of your property purchase price for residential properties. However, the exact fees you’ll pay will depend on your property, location, and financial situation.³

Here are some of the fees, costs, and taxes you can expect to pay when buying property in Lisbon. These taxes may differ depending on your tax residency status in Portugal, so speak to a lawyer or tax specialist for more information.

<table><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th>Cost</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Real estate commission</td><td>The seller typically pays real estate commission, but it may be built into the cost of your home Real estate commission in Lisbon is roughly 4% to 7% of your property’s sale price³</td></tr><tr><td>Legal fees</td><td>Varies – a conveyancing lawyer in Lisbon typically costs 1500 EUR to 5000 EUR³</td></tr><tr><td>Notary</td><td>Roughly 375 EUR to 700 EUR to register your deed through <em>Casa Pronta,</em> Portugal’s official property registration service³</td></tr><tr><td>Property transfer tax</td><td>Depends on your property value, type, and location, as well as what you intend to do with your property It typically ranges from 0% to 8% for most properties in Lisbon Primary residences will be treated differently from vacation homes⁴</td></tr><tr><td>Stamp duty</td><td>Usually 0.8% of your property purchase price⁵</td></tr><tr><td>Exchange rate markups for international transfers and payments</td><td>Many US banks charge a markup on the ‘fair’ rate for currency conversion This can add to the cost of your property purchase price, particularly if you’re paying in euros Choose Wise to spend in over 40 local currencies at the <a href="http://wise.com/us/mid-market-rate">mid-market exchange rate</a>. That’s the standard rate, with no markups or hidden fees</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><thead><tr><th>💡 Wondering how much that would cost in EUR? Check out this handy conversion calculator.</th></tr></thead><tbody></tbody></table>

How to buy property in Lisbon as an American: step-by-step

The process for buying property in Lisbon is much the same as buying real estate elsewhere in Portugal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to purchasing property in Lisbon as an American expat.

1. Find your dream home

First, you’ll need to find your dream home in Lisbon. You’ll need to visit local properties and understand exactly what you need from your real estate purchase.

If you’re looking for an investment opportunity, look out for modern buildings in central locations. If you’re settling abroad, look for a neighborhood with plenty of other expats.

2. Get a tax identification number and Portuguese bank account

There are a few administrative requirements for buying a house in Lisbon. You’ll need a Portuguese tax identification number, known as a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF), to complete your property purchase.

You may also need to open a Portuguese bank account to pay your deposit and any other property purchase fees.⁵ This can help you avoid currency conversion charges for international transactions.

Open a Wise account to request local Portuguese account details. Send, spend, and receive your money in euros at the ‘fair’ exchange rate.

3. Make an offer on your property

Once you’ve found your property, it’s time to make an offer! Your real estate agent will advise you on the best way to place an official offer on your dream home.

You may want to work with a Portuguese lawyer, who can help you follow local requirements and conduct any pre-sale checks or surveys on your home to ensure there are no issues.⁵

4. Sign the promissory contract

Known as the Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda (CPCV), this is a preliminary contract that outlines everything you need to know for your property purchase, including the terms and cost of the sale.⁵

You’ll need to pay a deposit for your new home. You’ll likely pay 10% to 20% of the purchase price to buy property in Lisbon.⁶

5. Sign the final contract

Finally, you’ll need to sign the escritura pública. This will formally transfer ownership of the property into your name.

You’ll need to complete this step in front of a notary. You’ll also need to register your property with the land registry and tax office.⁵

At this time, you may also need to pay any final fees and taxes for your property purchase, such as property transfer tax and stamp duty.

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Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is how to send money to pay for your property overseas.

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Where can I find a property to buy in Lisbon?

Here are some places to find your new property in Lisbon:

• Browse online real estate listings
• Visit your dream location to look for properties for sale
• Go to property exhibitions and fairs
• Speak to local authorities for current listings

Websites like Idealista®, CasaYes®, and Imovirtual® list regular real estate listings in Lisbon.⁷ You should work with a lawyer, translator, and real estate agent to help you find your property and navigate the Portuguese property purchase process.

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What are the best areas to buy property in Lisbon?

Lisbon is full of beautiful neighborhoods for US expats and foreign investors. You can enjoy sun, sea, and a fast-paced urban lifestyle – all in the same city! Let’s take a closer look at some of the best areas to buy property in Lisbon.

Estrela

Estrela is an upscale neighborhood known for its stunning architecture, local nature spots, and independent boutiques. It’s close enough to the city center to be convenient, but not so close that you can hear the noisy hustle and bustle.

Properties in Estrela aren’t cheap. You’ll likely pay roughly 395,139 EUR for a 1-bedroom apartment, 780,259 EUR for a 2-bedroom apartment, or 982,417 EUR for a 3-bedroom apartment.²

The district is populated with retirees, expats, and professionals. It is a peaceful, safe, and affluent neighborhood.⁸

Campo de Ourique

Campo de Ourique is known for its relaxed small-town vibe. The area is particularly popular with families, with several local international schools and plenty of shops, cafés, and boutiques.

Campo de Ourique has a large community of English-speaking expats. The district also has excellent transport links to other areas of the city, offering both tranquility and easy access to a more urban lifestyle.⁸

Misericórdia

Misericórdia is popular with tourists, digital nomads, and expats. It’s a central spot, known for its stylish restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

However, that’s not all Misericórdia has to offer! It’s close to the beach, with a rich history, good weather, and a lively, vibrant local culture.

The area has experienced considerable redevelopment, which makes it a good choice for foreign investors seeking rental income opportunities abroad.⁹

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Bottom line

Buying property in Lisbon is a smart move for US expats, retirees, digital nomads, and real estate investors. However, it’s important to follow the requirements of the Portuguese government when purchasing your property.

You’ll need to complete your sale in front of a notary. You’ll also need to look into the fees and costs for purchasing property in Lisbon, such as notary fees, property transfer tax, and stamp duty.

Many US banks may charge a fee on top of these costs. That’s how they make their money, but hidden exchange rate markups can lead to high costs for foreign buyers.

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Sources

1. Investropa - What are housing prices like in Lisbon right now? 2. Monoestate - 2025 Lisbon property market guide 3. Investropa - Property taxes, fees and costs in Lisbon 4. Portugal Real Estate Lawyer - IMT Portugal 5. Portugal Homes - Buying property in Portugal as a foreigner in 2026 6. Super Casa - Down payment on buying a house 7. Lisbon Expat Realtor - 5 best property listings websites in Portugal 8. The London Thing - The ultimate guide to Lisbon neighborhoods for expats in 2026 9. Hoodpicker - Misericórdia

Sources checked 08/26/2026

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