Purchase price or VPT?
See when the contract value matters and when the Portuguese taxable patrimonial value may become decisive.
See which value countsTechnical Guide Updated 2026
Main IMT exemptions and reductions
Not every property purchase in Portugal pays IMT in the same way. The tax treatment depends above all on the intended use of the property, the buyer’s profile and the specific legal regime that applies to the case.
If you first want to understand the tax in general terms, read what IMT is and when it is due. If your question is about the value used for the assessment, see purchase price or VPT. If you want a quick estimate, use the Portugal IMT calculator. If completion is already approaching, also see how to obtain and pay the tax forms.
🆕 Buyers up to 35 years old — primary residence (HPP)
In 2026 there is a specific table for buyers aged 35 or under purchasing a primary residence. It is the regime that raises the most questions and, at the same time, the one that matters most to younger buyers looking for a first home.
- Mainland Portugal: full exemption up to €330,539.
- Autonomous Regions: full exemption up to €413,174.
- Above those limits: partial relief may apply under the relevant table.
- Important: the regime only applies if the legal conditions are met.
* Reference values taken from the official practical tables in force from 01-01-2026.
🏠 Primary residence — general regime
Even outside the youth regime, full IMT exemption may apply to the purchase of a primary residence if the value relevant for tax purposes does not exceed the threshold of the applicable table.
- Mainland Portugal: up to €106,346.
- Autonomous Regions: up to €132,933.
* Above those values, the progressive brackets apply.
🌍 Buyers who are not tax resident in Portugal
Following Decree-Law 97/2026, the acquisition of an urban property or autonomous unit intended exclusively for housing by a buyer who is not tax resident in Portugal may be subject to IMT at 7.5%, without exemption or reduction.
- The key factor is tax residence, not nationality alone.
- A later correction may be available by request if the buyer becomes tax resident in Portugal within the legal period.
- A correction may also be available if the property is allocated to residential rental within the required deadlines and limits.
* This rule should be checked carefully where the buyer lives outside Portugal or does not yet have Portuguese tax residence.
🏘️ Controlled-cost housing
Decree-Law 97/2026 also provides IMT and Stamp Duty benefits for the first acquisition of controlled-cost housing, but application depends on specific conditions and municipal approval.
* This should not be treated as an automatic calculator scenario without documentary confirmation of the applicable regime.
🏗️ Properties benefiting from reduced VAT on construction or rehabilitation
Where a property benefited from the reduced VAT rate for certain construction or rehabilitation works, a 10% IMT surcharge on the taxable value may apply if the legal deadlines for allocation to the buyer’s permanent home are not met.
* This is not an automatic benefit or a simple simulation scenario: it depends on the property’s planning, tax and contractual documentation.
🏛️ Special cases: urban rehabilitation and listed heritage
Some IMT benefits arise in less common and more document-heavy situations. This is the case for certain properties subject to urban rehabilitation and for properties individually classified as heritage.
- Urban rehabilitation: in certain cases there may be an IMT exemption on acquisition for rehabilitation purposes, as well as further benefits linked to the rehabilitated property.
- Related IMI benefits: the same type of operation may also involve IMI benefits, usually subject to validation by the municipality or the competent body.
- Listed heritage: individually classified properties may have their own regimes, so it is worth confirming the position before completion or assessment.
* If the property is in an urban rehabilitation area, is over 30 years old and is being rehabilitated, or is listed as heritage, the case should be reviewed in advance.
⚖️ When is it worth confirming the position before completion?
When the relief depends on age, the intended use of the property, the ownership share acquired or a special regime, it is worth confirming the tax position before the deed. That helps avoid incorrect assessments, delays at completion and later corrections.
Confirm eligibility
Review of the regime that may apply to your case and of the table that should be used for the assessment.
Review the transaction before completion
Confirmation of the key tax elements before the deed, including the intended use of the property, the relevant values and the supporting documentation.
Deal with irregularities
Assessment of the best route where an assessment has already been issued, relief was not recognised or a correction is needed.
⚠️ Important: some regimes require additional conditions and supporting documents. If completion is close, it is prudent to confirm the tax treatment before signing.
👥 Situations that often raise questions
🌍 Non-tax-resident buyers
Where the buyer is not tax resident in Portugal, residential property may be taxed at 7.5%, subject to legal exceptions. Tax residence should be checked before assessment.
👫 Couples (mixed eligibility)
If only one buyer meets certain conditions, the tax treatment may not be straightforward. The ownership share acquired and the intended use of the property should be reviewed carefully.
🏝️ Azores and Madeira
The Autonomous Regions apply their own thresholds and tables, which can change both the assessment and the relief available.
If you already understand which regime may apply, the next step is to confirm the value relevant for the assessment, review the estimate and make sure completion moves forward with the correct tax treatment.
Case-focused review
The closer the transaction is to completion, the more useful it can be to confirm the tax treatment in advance.
Simple submission
Optional fields help refine the review, but you can still send the form even if some details are not final yet.
Focused on relief and completion
The form also covers questions about youth relief, special regimes, payment documents and validation before the deed.
Request a legal assessment
Avoid tax risks. Submit your case details for review.