The Escritura — Portugal’s Final Property Deed
The moment the property becomes yours. What happens at the notary, what funds move, who attends, and what to bring on the day.
Updated April 2026What Is the Escritura?
The escritura pública de compra e venda — "public deed of sale and purchase" — is the formal legal act by which property ownership transfers in Portugal. It happens at a notary’s office, with both buyer and seller (or their representatives) present, and ends with the property registered in the new owner’s name.
By the time you reach the escritura, the heavy lifting is done. The CPCV is signed, the deposit paid, the mortgage approved, and the paperwork checked. The escritura is the formal completion — an hour at the notary, a stack of signatures, and a transfer of funds.
This guide covers what happens on deed day, who attends, what to bring, and what the notary actually reads aloud.
The Run-Up to Escritura
By the time you arrive at the notary, all of this should already be in place.
IMT and stamp duty paid
IMT (Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis) and stamp duty (Imposto do Selo) on the purchase must be paid before the escritura can be signed. Your lawyer arranges this. See our buying costs guide for the rates.
Mortgage funds in place (if applicable)
If you’re buying with a mortgage, the bank transfers the loan amount to the notary’s account in the day or two before the escritura. The mortgage deed is signed in the same notary appointment.
Your funds transferred to the notary
The remainder of the purchase price — whatever isn’t covered by the mortgage — needs to be in the notary’s client account before signing. International transfers can take 2–4 days; build that into your planning.
Insurance arranged (if mortgage)
Mortgages require life insurance and multi-risk home insurance, both effective from the escritura date. Your bank can arrange these or you can use an independent broker.
Final paperwork pack
Caderneta predial, certidão do registo predial, habitation licence, energy certificate, condomínio statement (if applicable). Your lawyer assembles and verifies the pack.
What Happens at the Notary
A typical escritura takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on whether a mortgage is involved.
Identification check
Everyone present shows ID. Buyers, sellers, lawyers (if attending), and a Portuguese-language interpreter if either party doesn’t speak Portuguese fluently. The notary verifies identities against the documents.
Reading the deed aloud
The notary reads the full text of the deed aloud in Portuguese. Every clause, every figure, every reference. If you don’t speak Portuguese, you need either a sworn translator or a power-of-attorney in place for someone who does.
Signatures
Buyer signs. Seller signs. Notary signs. If there’s a mortgage, the bank’s representative signs the mortgage deed too. Each page is initialled.
Funds release
The notary releases the purchase funds to the seller (less any deductions for outstanding charges). If there’s a mortgage, the bank’s portion releases simultaneously.
Keys and registration
Keys are handed over (or arranged separately if the property is occupied). The notary submits the deed to the conservatória do registo predial, where the property is formally registered in your name within 30 days.
Bring these to the notary
Original passport. Proof of NIF. Bank confirmation of funds transferred. Any documents your lawyer hasn’t already lodged with the notary. The notary’s office will tell you what they specifically need a day or two beforehand.
Power of Attorney & Remote Signing
If you can’t be in Portugal on deed day, your lawyer can sign on your behalf.
The power of attorney route
You sign a procuração (power of attorney) in front of a notary in your home country, get it apostilled, and send it to your Portuguese lawyer. They can then attend the escritura and sign on your behalf. Common for buyers who live abroad or can’t take time off work.
Remote videoconference signing
Some notaries now offer videoconference attendance under the recent digital escritura framework. The buyer signs digitally with a qualified electronic signature. Availability varies by notary and is best confirmed in advance.
Translator vs interpreter
If you don’t speak Portuguese, the notary will require either a sworn translator (interpreter) physically present or a power of attorney granted to someone who does speak Portuguese. The translator will be on the bill.
What Happens After You Sign
The escritura is the legal moment of ownership, but a few practical follow-ups happen in the days after.
Land registry update
The notary submits the deed to the conservatória do registo predial. The property is formally re-registered in your name within 30 days. You’ll receive an updated certidão.
Tax authority registration
The Autoridade Tributária updates the caderneta predial against your NIF. Future IMI bills go to you.
Utilities transfer
Electricity (EDP), water, gas, internet — all need to be transferred from the previous owner’s name to yours. See our utilities guide for the practical sequencing.
Condomínio admin
If the property is in a condominium, you’ll need to introduce yourself to the administração and update payment details for monthly condomínio fees.
Insurance and maintenance
Buildings insurance starts at escritura date. Confirm with your insurer. Schedule any planned renovations or maintenance for after the deed, not before — you didn’t own it before.
Don’t pay the seller anything outside the deed
All money for the purchase moves through the notary or the formal banking system on the day. If a seller asks for cash, side payments, or "to settle outside the deed", refuse. Your lawyer will tell you why.