Buying a home in Portugal is possible even if you don’t have residency — but the conditions are stricter. In this article, Elena, CEO & Founder of RelyOn Relocation®️,will explain how the process works for non-residents, what banks usually offer, and how you can prepare.
Q: Elena, can foreigners without Portuguese residency really get a mortgage?
Yes, they can. Portuguese banks are open to financing non-residents, but they see it as a higher risk. That means conditions will be tighter compared to residents. Still, every year, many of our international clients buy second homes or investment properties this way.
Q: What kind of interest rates are we talking about right now?
As of mid-2025, rates average around 3.2%<. They fluctuate with the European Central Bank’s policies, but non-residents are generally offered the same base rates as residents. The key difference is not the percentage — it’s how much of the property value the bank is willing to finance.
Q: How much will banks usually finance for non-residents?
Non-residents can expect banks to cover 60–70% of the property price. This means you’ll need to provide a 30–40% down payment. For example, if the home you want costs €300,000, you’ll need around €90,000–€120,000 upfront.
Q: That’s quite a difference compared to residents. How should buyers see this requirement?
It’s true, it’s a bigger commitment upfront. But many clients find peace of mind knowing that with a larger down payment, the bank’s approval tends to be more straightforward. It also reduces your monthly payments — which can feel more secure over time.
Without residency, the mortgage path in Portugal is still open — but it starts with careful planning for that larger down payment.
In the next part, we’ll go deeper into the loan terms and age limits you should know as a non-resident.
Book a consultation with RelyOn Relocation®️ today — the first step toward knowing exactly how much you can borrow and how to structure your purchase in Portugal.
