Why Portugal Is Europe s Easiest Place To Finance Property
Portugal is one of Europe's most exclusive holiday, retirement and leisure destinations. The financial crisis of 2007 left the Portuguese economy reeling and property prices collapsed by more than 30%. Based on your profile, we can present the financial products that the different banks have for mortgage loans and, from those, you can choose the best one for you.
Some Portuguese banks will allow interest only periods for 3 to 5 years, some offer capital and interest payments only and a smaller number of banks will offer longer periods of interest only payments. Property prices in Portugal have recovered significantly in the last few of years, and in 2017 they finally outstripped the prices seen before the 2008 housing crash.
Most Portuguese banks offer different types of mortgage repayment options on either a fixed or a variable interest rate. We will be able to show you the most important factors regarding your mortgage: from interest rates, to commissions and taxes. Interest-only mortgages are usually only offered for new constructions, and typically only for a two-year term.
You should always go through the same process that you would follow if you were buying a property in the UK. Take independent advice from an English-speaking lawyer who is not connected to your seller, estate agent or property developer. In fact, since we can get a loan for 100% of the purchase price, let's get a bigger house than we actually need and count on a huge appreciation.
For those wishing to build their own homes, banks do offer construction mortgages. Calculate your monthly payments for a particular example loan amount and interest rate using this Portuguese mortgage calculator. The early redemption penalty during the fixed-rate period is 2% as per the regulation of the Bank of Portugal.
Unless significantly and recklessly over valued (always likely in Portugal!) we can be reassured that at least the Portuguese Bank lending its savers money has anchored it on something. No financial information is stored after the client accepts the Bank offer.
Portuguese mortgages are also subject to strict affordability criteria. This allows for clients to opt for a 1- 15 year fixed rate product which then reverts to variable rates repayments thereafter. You may also find that certain types of property aren't easy to find mortgages for.
The interest rates of a Portuguese variable rate mortgages is linked to either the 3 or 6 month Euribor rate and increased by the margin (spread) that the bank applies. Construction mortgages are for property buyers who wish to build a new house from the ground up or to renovate an existing property.
The company pre-underwrites all clients, only presenting clients that can meet the Banks minimum criteria and as such holds a high success rate. Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) is the largest Currency exchange portugal bank in Portugal, 100%-owned by the Portuguese government. 4. Valuation report - Once you have received a formal mortgage offer the bank will carry out a valuation of the property.