Which documents do I need to prepare to get started?

Why does the bank ask for so many documents?

Before lending, the bank must check whether you can repay the loan. It looks at your age, your work, your income and your expenses. It also checks the loans you already have.

The bank may ask for proof of your income over the last 3 months and of your regular expenses. If you do not provide them, the bank will not grant the loan.

Which documents does everyone need?

If you are buying as a couple, each of you hands in a full set.

• Citizen card, or passport and residence permit.
• Proof of address less than 3 months old.
• Proof of IBAN.
• Latest tax return (IRS) and tax assessment note.
• Credit liabilities report from Banco de Portugal.
• Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months, for every account.
• Proof of the money you have set aside for the deposit and buying costs.

Which documents depend on your work?

• Employed: your last 3 payslips, your contract and a letter from your employer. The letter says since when you work there and what type of contract you have.
• Self-employed: tax returns and assessment notes for the last 2 years. Your declaration of start of activity and receipts from the last 6 months.
• Retired: proof of the pension amount and statements showing it being paid in.
• Rental income: tenancy agreements, rent receipts and annex F of your tax return.

If you are self-employed, you also hand in certificates showing no debts to the tax authority and Social Security.

What is the credit liabilities report?

It lists your loans registered with Banco de Portugal. It also shows any guarantees you have given for other people's loans. Banks check this information to assess risk.

You request it on the Banco de Portugal website. You can also ask at a Banco de Portugal desk or by post. In our experience, banks want a recent report, less than 30 days old.

Which documents for the home will be asked for?

• Updated tax record of the home («caderneta predial»).
• Land registry certificate («certidão permanente»).
• Occupancy licence and technical sheet of the home, where they exist.
• Energy certificate.
• Promissory contract or a document with the agreed price.

How much of your own money do you need to show?

The bank lends on the lower of the price and the valuation of the home. For the home you will live in, the limit recommended by Banco de Portugal is 90% of that value.

An example. You agree to buy for €200,000 and the valuation comes in at €190,000. The bank uses €190,000. At most, it lends €171,000. You need €29,000 of your own, plus the buying costs. These are example figures.

The home purchase simulator shows how much you can borrow. See also the guide Do I always need a 10% down payment?

Where FINOVA helps

We have document checklists for five cases: buying a home, young buyers, construction, transfer and non-residents. We email you the one you need. Then we check with you what is missing before going to the banks.

Sources

• Banco de Portugal — Creditworthiness assessment
• Banco de Portugal — Credit liabilities
• Banco de Portugal — LTV, DSTI and maturity limits

Sources checked on 22 September 2026.