As an independent buyer’s agent, we represent only buyers in Portugal, never sellers. We search the whole market, including off-market and private sales, check properties legally and technically, negotiate the price and see you through to the deed.
Our office is in Porto, but we work across Portugal, with a focus on the North, the interior, the Algarve and the Lisbon area.
If you’ve bought a home in the US, you’ll know buyer’s agents as standard. In Portugal they’re still rare. When I, Frederik Pohl, tried to buy a property here in 2010, there were practically no agents working only for buyers.
Although I was married to a Portuguese woman and had lived here for years, the purchase was a long, confusing maze, mostly in a language many buyers don’t speak. That’s when I realised the market didn’t need more sellers, but someone on the buyer’s side.
That’s how Pearls of Portugal began.
Frederik Pohl, Founder
A buyer’s agent represents the buyer’s interests alone. The seller’s agent is paid by the seller and aims for the highest possible price. As your buyer’s agent, we find the right property, tell you openly when a price is too high or a house has defects, negotiate for you and coordinate lawyers, surveyors, notary and bank. That’s especially valuable because many documents and procedures in Portugal exist only in Portuguese.
Our office is in Porto, but we buy for our clients all over Portugal. Each region has its own market, prices and pitfalls. These are our four focus regions:
This is home. We know the neighbourhoods of Porto, Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia as well as the green Minho and the Douro Valley, and we have a close network of local agents, lawyers and builders. In the North you often get more space and quality of life for your money than in Lisbon or the Algarve.
The Centre, the Spanish border region and the Alentejo offer Portugal’s most affordable houses, old quintas and plots with ruins. Many are never advertised online but sold through roadside signs or word of mouth. Searching off the portals like this is our speciality. More in our articles on cheap houses and buying a ruin.
The Algarve has a large supply, high prices and strong competition between agents. That’s exactly where independent advice pays off: we’re not tied to any seller’s commission and also show you alternatives inland and in the quieter eastern Algarve, around Tavira and Estoi.
Greater Lisbon has the highest prices, and decisions often need to be made fast. We help you compare locations realistically, from Lisbon and Cascais to more affordable alternatives on the Setúbal peninsula and the Silver Coast.
We also support buyers on Madeira and the Azores, together with local partners. If you’re still undecided, a property scouting tour through several regions helps.
Buying property in Portugal has three phases: finding the right property, securing it at the right price and completing the purchase safely. Every search starts with advice on investing or relocating: which region suits you, what budget is realistic, and what to consider for tax and legal purposes. All clients also get free access to the Pearls’ Selection, our curated selection of properties.Our three packages combine the phases differently:
Many buyers assume they don’t need their own agent because the seller’s agent offers viewings for free. That “free” service comes at a price:
As an independent buyer’s agent working on a success basis, we answer only to you. We show you the whole market, don’t limit proposals or viewings, and only earn when you’ve bought well.
We offer both fixed and percentage-based fees, depending on the package and scope of support. We always invoice on a success basis: the first payment is only due once we’ve found the right property, negotiated the price and you’ve decided to buy, when the contracts are drawn up. All further payments follow the progress of the purchase. You pay nothing upfront for the search, viewings and advice before that. In many cases, professional negotiation alone saves more than the service costs. We’ll discuss which model suits you best in a free consultation.
Purchase taxes are explained on our pages on property transfer tax (IMT) and annual property tax (IMI), with calculators for your own estimate.
Planning to buy in Portugal, whether in Porto, the interior, the Algarve or Lisbon? Book a free consultation or call us on +351 220 106 777.
A buyer’s agent represents only the buyer, never the seller. They search the whole market for suitable properties, including private and off-market sales, check every property before you commit, negotiate the price and manage the purchase through the promissory contract (CPCV) to the deed.
No. Our office is in Porto, but we buy for clients all over Portugal. Our focus regions are Porto and the North, the interior (Centre, Spanish border region, Alentejo), the Algarve and greater Lisbon. On Madeira and the Azores we work with local partners.
Yes. We work in the Algarve as an independent buyer’s agent on a success basis and don’t share commission with sellers or their agents. That lets us show you the whole market, including private sales and the quieter hinterland.
Yes, that’s one of our specialities. Many houses and plots with ruins inland are never advertised online. We search locally through agents, signs and personal contacts and check paperwork, boundaries and access before you buy.
Purchase support is for buyers who’ve already found their property and covers due diligence, negotiation, a legally safe completion and aftercare. Individual covers advice, search and purchase while you work with your own lawyer. Exclusive combines every phase from advice on investing or relocating to land registration, including notary and deed costs, tax number and bank account.
We offer fixed and percentage-based fees, depending on the package and scope. We always invoice on a success basis: you only pay once we’ve found the right property, negotiated the price and you want to buy, when the contracts are drawn up. Later payments follow the progress of the purchase.
Because the seller’s agent works for the seller, and their commission rises with the price. A buyer’s agent you pay has only your interests in mind: finding the right property across the market, flagging problems and negotiating the price down.
Usually three to five months from first call to deed, depending on how clear your requirements are, how many suitable properties exist and whether you need a mortgage.
Yes. Viewings can be done by video and the deed can be signed by power of attorney. Many clients still prefer to see their shortlist in person; for that we organise scouting tours.
No. Since 2023, buying residential property no longer qualifies for the Golden Visa, and owning property doesn’t give residency by itself. For a D7 visa, you need proof of accommodation, which a rental contract also provides.
Yes, without restrictions, whether or not you’re an EU citizen. You need a Portuguese tax number (NIF); a Portuguese bank account makes the purchase much easier.
It isn’t required by law, but we strongly recommend it. In the Purchase support and Exclusive packages, our independent partner lawyer handles this; for Individual, we can recommend trusted lawyers.
Every estate agency in Portugal needs an AMI licence from IMPIC. You can check any licence number in IMPIC’s public register. Pearls of Portugal holds licence AMI 14801.
English • Portuguese • Spanish • German
Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.
4 Responses
We’re interested in the Buyer’s Agent program. What is your fee for this service?
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your interest. The service has different variations, so the fee depends on what exactly you want from us. You can email us at info@pearlsofportugal.com or book a (free) video call here: https://meet.brevo.com/pearlsofportugal/google-meeting, so that we can understand your situation better. Thank you!
We are looking for a beachfront property anywhere in Portugal where there is pickle ball or Padel nearby as well as good restuarants and ex pat community.
Hi Lee, we already sent you an email. Matosinhos would be a good example for your requirements but certainly Portugal does not lack great beaches!