After-Sales Services
Moving to Portugal can be very daunting if you are not acquainted with the language, laws, and culture. We have created a quick guide for after-sales services in Portugal to help you sort out all of the next steps after buying a property or signing a long-term rental contract.
Utilities - Energy/Gas
When you move into a new home, you will need to choose an energy supply company in or to get electricity installed. It is best to search among the free market companies and make a comparison of the rates and services that best suit your needs.
You will not need to change the energy meter that you have installed. Terminating the contract with the old operator is the responsibility of the new supplier.
The time it may take to connect electricity and/or natural gas at your new address is about 15 days, so you should request the connection as soon as you can.
The documents requested are usually:
- NIF;
- Delivery point code (included in the invoices);
- Bank identification number (in case of direct debit payment)
- Proof of the new address (e.g. copy of the deed).
Energy
Gas
Utilities - Water
To sign a water supply contract for your new home, you must first get informed on the water supplier of your area. For example, Porto’s is ‘Águas do Porto‘ and Lisbon’s is EPAL. Then, you can either do it in person at the supplier’s respective offices or via their website, if possible.
The documents requested are usually:
- The supplier’s form
- ID and NIF
- Proof of residence (copy of the rental contract or deed)
- Updated Caderneta Predial Urbana
- NIB (in case of payment by direct debit)
If the property already has a meter installed, it is mandatory to provide the current meter reading.
Utilities - Telecom
Home Insurance
Despite all precautions, adverse situations do occur! The purchase of a house, be it an apartment or a villa, implies the mandatory contracting of an insurance policy that covers the fire risk of the house and, if applicable, of the corresponding common parts (roof, stairs, elevators, garage, etc.).
The insurances associated to Housing Loan operations have the function of safeguarding the protection of the property and the protection of the credit granted, foreseeing its payment to the Bank in particularly adverse situations for the Client / family unit.
Luckily, through our after-sales services in Portugal, we can put you in contact with an insurance broker who will find the package that suits you the best according to your needs!
Renovation
When considering buying a home in Portugal, you can choose either to build a new house or renovate an existing structure. Finding the right construction companies in Portugal can already be a big challenge in your home country. We work in cooperation with local and national construction companies in Portugal and have helped many clients to realize successfully their projects.
Short Term Accomodation
City Annual Taxes
The Municipal Property Tax (IMI) is a yearly tax by the municipalities on the owners of property located in Portugal. The tax for apartments and houses is between 0.3% and 0.45% of the building value Valor Patrimonial Tributário (VPT), deposited with the tax office. For buildings on agricultural land, the percentage is 0.8%. Every year, during the month of April, the Finance Department starts notifying the taxpayers.
