Which documents do I need to prepare to get started?
To start, you need ID, your tax return, payslips, bank statements, proof of employment and the Bank of Portugal credit-liabilities report. With it all in hand, we move within a week.
In this guide
The essential documents
To open a process, gather: an ID document (Citizen Card); your latest tax return and assessment note; your last three payslips; bank statements for the last 3 months; an employer letter confirming your contract; and the Bank of Portugal credit-liabilities report (CRC), which you obtain online.
Why each one is needed
Each document answers a question the bank asks: who you are, what you earn, how stable it is, and what credit you already hold. Missing pieces mean the bank cannot assess — and the process stalls.
Cases that need extra papers
Self-employed applicants, construction or a mortgage switch call for additional documents (for example, plans and permits for a build). We tailor the checklist to your case.
Worked example
A couple with everything ready up front — tax return, payslips, statements and the credit-liabilities report — can be submitted to the banks within a week. If, say, the tax assessment note is missing, the bank waits for it before deciding. (Illustrative example.)
Sources
Susana Vasconcelos
- Intermediária de crédito autorizada pelo Banco de Portugal n.º 0008496
- Mais de 10 anos na banca