BUPi: How to Register Property
After buying land in Portugal, it might be necessary to register it at BUPi (Balcão Único do Prédio), a digital land registry.
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HOW TO REGISTER YOUR PROPERTY AT THE BALCÃO ÚNICO DO PRÉDIO (bupi)
Some issues associated with property investments in Portugal call for careful consideration. One of which is providing adequate protection for your assets upon taking ownership of a property in Portugal.
If you intend to buy property in Portugal and get residency under any Visa scheme, you may need to register it with Balcão Único do Prédio.
What is the BUPi?
The BUPi (Balcão Único do Prédio) is a platform aimed at owners of rural and mixed properties. It allows the Portuguese territory to be mapped, understood and valued, in a simple and free way. It began in 2017 as a pilot project in 10 municipalities. Following its success, it is now being expanded to the entire country.
WHAT ARE RURAL AND MIXED PROPERTIES?
Rural Property
A rural property is defined as a delimited part of the ground and the buildings on it, which are not economically autonomous (land which is used for agricultural or forestry income generating purposes, or which is directly used for the production of income of this type).
Mixed property
A property comprising a rural part and an urban part (a built up property with the land which serves as its backyard, or land intended for construction).
WHY SHOULD BUILDING OWNERS REGISTER WITH BUPI?
Registration is important for owners of qualifying buildings for the following reasons:
- The owner’s property rights are only guaranteed upon registering their building with the Conservatoire;
- Registration is mandatory for anyone looking to buy or sell land;
- It is 100% free of charge to register, but for a limited period only;
- Those who register will play a key role in helping local and national authorities prevent fires.
LAND REGISTRATION: PROTECTING WHAT’S YOURS
It is important to understand that as a landowner, protecting your rights is only possible upon registering with the appropriate authorities. Registering your property with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority is not enough to safeguard your ownership rights.
To fully protect what’s yours, you must register the geolocation of your property as part of your official BUPi registration.
WHERE CAN I REGISTER MY PROPERTY WITH THE BALCÃO ÚNICO DO PRÉDIO?
Online Registration:
- Go to BUPi’s website and authenticate with your Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key
- The service is free until August 23, 2023
- You must have your Citizen Card and the Land Registry with the matrix number
In-Person Registration:
- Go to the BUPi counter of the ‘Câmara Municipal’ of the municipality where the property is located
- The service is free until August 23, 2023
- You must have your Citizen Card and the Land Registry with the matrix number
If you’re unsure of where your nearest BUPi counter is, there is a locater on the website.
What are the mandatory documents for BUPi registration?
Owner or Spouse:
- Valid ID
- Portuguese Tax Number (NIF)
- Certificate from the Land Registry or other document proving ownership
- Caderneta Predial or Property Registration Number
- Identification of the remaining co-owners
Heir:
- Valid ID and NIF
- Stamp Duty Participation or Proof of Inheritance
- Certificate from the Land Registry or other document proving ownership
- Caderneta Predial or Matriz Number
Legal Person:
- NIPC
- Certificate from the Land Registry or other document proving ownership
- Caderneta Predial or Matriz Number
If subject to Commercial Registry:
- Permanent Certificate
If not:
- Articles of Association
- Appointment of Governing Bodies
- Term of Office
Representative:
- Signed Power of Attorney
- Attorney’s ID and NIF
- Certificate from the Land Registry or other document proving ownership
- Caderneta Predial (Land registry book) or Matriz Number
What is the price to Identify and register properties at the Balcão Único do Prédio (Single Property Counter)?
Property registration is free until the 23rd of August 2023 for the municipalities that have the geometric cadastre of rustic property and for the 10 municipalities that integrated the BUPi pilot project.
For the remaining municipalities, it is free for 4 years from the date the municipality joins the BUPi.
