Buying Property in Portugal: Document Translation Guide for Ukrainians

€187,000 - that’s the average apartment price in Lisbon as of early 2026. You’ve found the place, agreed on the price with the seller, and then the notary says: “Where’s the tradução certificada of your marriage certificate?” You didn’t even know it needed translating. Sound familiar? Let’s break down which documents you need to translate when buying property in Portugal, how much it costs, and where you can save money.

Before You Buy: NIF and Bank Account¶

Before you even start browsing apartments on Idealista, you need two things: a NIF and a Portuguese bank account. Without them, no property transaction is possible.

NIF - Tax Identification Number¶

NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your tax number in Portugal. Without it, you can’t buy property, open a bank account, or sign any contract.

If you’re already a Portuguese resident - you have one. If not, here’s how to get it:

• EU/EEA citizens: free at Finanças (tax office), you just need your passport and proof of address
• Non-EU (including Ukrainians without residency): you need a fiscal representative (representante fiscal) - a lawyer or company that obtains the NIF on your behalf. Cost: €350-550 per year

To get a NIF, you typically just need a copy of your passport. No translation required - Finanças accepts passports in any language.

Bank Account¶

You’ll need a Portuguese bank account to pay taxes, notary fees, and the property itself. Documents required:

If you have an AIMA card or another residence permit document, it replaces proof of address.

Which Documents Need Translation¶

The full list depends on your situation: buying solo or with a partner, cash or mortgage, present in Portugal or buying remotely.

Basic Package (Cash Purchase, Single Buyer)¶

*Proof of funds is a Portuguese anti-money laundering requirement. The bank or notary may request bank statements, an employment certificate, or a tax return.

Additional Documents When Buying with a Spouse/Partner¶

Additional Documents for a Mortgage (Crédito Habitação)¶

Banks typically require translations of all financial documents for mortgage applications. Non-residents can get mortgages covering up to 70-80% of the property value, but documentation requirements are stricter.

Buying Remotely - Procuração¶

If you can’t be present at the escritura (deed of sale) signing, you’ll need a power of attorney - procuração (pro-koo-ra-SAU). It’s a legal document that allows your lawyer to sign the deal on your behalf.

You can get a procuração:

1. At a Portuguese consulate in Ukraine or another country
2. From a local notary + apostille + translation into Portuguese

Cost: €100-300 plus translation and apostille.

How Tradução Certificada Works in Portugal¶

Portugal doesn’t have “sworn translators” like Germany or Spain. The system works differently here: a translator does the translation, then a lawyer (advogado) or notary (notário) certifies it with their signature and stamp.

This is called tradução certificada (certified translation) - a translation that’s legally valid for all Portuguese authorities: notaries, courts, banks, AIMA.

Who Can Certify a Translation¶

• Advogado (lawyer) - the most popular option, usually faster and cheaper
• Notário (notary) - official certification
• Câmara de Comércio e Indústria - Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Consulate - for documents abroad

In practice, most Ukrainians go through a lawyer. If you already have a lawyer handling your property purchase (and you definitely should) - they can certify your translations too.

Translation Costs¶

For comparison: sworn translation in France costs €30-50 per page, while tradução certificada in Portugal comes out to roughly the same, but with a separate certification fee.

Which Languages Are Accepted¶

Portugal is one of the most liberal EU countries when it comes to document languages:

• Portuguese - always accepted
• English - accepted by most banks and some notaries
• French, Spanish - often accepted without translation

However, for the escritura (deed of sale), the notary may require a Portuguese translation of any foreign document. It’s better to prepare your tradução certificada in advance - it’ll save you from last-minute delays.

Escritura: Signing Day¶

Escritura Pública de Compra e Venda (public deed of sale) is the final step. It’s signed at a notary’s office or at Casa Pronta (a government service for simplified processing).

What Happens at the Escritura¶

1. The notary reads the entire contract aloud in Portuguese
2. Both parties sign
3. The buyer pays the remaining balance
4. Ownership transfers to the buyer

If You Don’t Speak Portuguese¶

This is a critical moment. If you don’t speak Portuguese, you’ll need a translator or bilingual lawyer to interpret the contract as it’s being read aloud. Some notaries provide an interpreter themselves, others ask you to bring your own.

Cost of an interpreter at the escritura: €100-200 per session. This is usually included in your lawyer’s fee if they’re bilingual.

Full Purchase Budget¶

Here are the real costs of buying a €200,000 apartment:

*IMT depends on the value, location, and type of property. Primary residences under €106,346 are IMT-exempt. Second homes and non-residents pay higher rates. Starting 2026, non-residents (except Portuguese emigrants) face a flat 7.5% IMT rate.

Translation and certification add up to just €275-750 of the total budget. Compared to IMT and lawyer fees - pocket change. But missing a translation can delay your deal by weeks.

5 Mistakes to Avoid¶

1. Not checking if your specific notary requires translations. One notary might accept English documents, another will insist on tradução certificada. Ask beforehand.

2. Forgetting the apostille on your marriage certificate. If you’re buying with a partner, you need the marriage certificate with an apostille and translation. Without it, the notary won’t sign the escritura.

3. Not arranging the procuração in time. If you’re buying remotely, the power of attorney should be prepared at least 2-3 weeks before the escritura. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

4. Translating documents but not certifying them. A translation without certification (a lawyer’s or notary’s signature) has no legal standing in Portugal. The notary won’t accept it.

5. Not accounting for the fiscal representative. If you’re not an EU resident, you can’t get a NIF without a representante fiscal, and without a NIF - you can’t buy property. That’s an annual cost of €350-550.

FAQ¶

How much does document translation cost for buying property in Portugal?¶

Translating a single document into Portuguese costs €40-80. Lawyer certification adds €25-50 per document. For the full package (3-5 documents), expect €200-500 for translation plus €75-250 for certification. Urgent translations cost 20-40% more.

Do I need to translate my passport to buy property in Portugal?¶

No. Your passport is accepted without translation - the notary and bank work with the original. Translation is needed for certificates (marriage, divorce), financial documents, and powers of attorney.

Can I buy property in Portugal without a residence permit?¶

Yes. Portugal doesn’t restrict foreigners from buying property - anyone with any status can buy. But you’ll need a NIF (tax number) for the transaction, and non-EU residents also need a fiscal representative.

Do Ukrainian documents need an apostille for the Portuguese notary?¶

Yes, for documents issued in Ukraine (marriage, birth, divorce certificates). Both countries are part of the Hague Convention, so consular legalization isn’t needed - an apostille is sufficient.

Can my lawyer both handle the transaction and certify document translations?¶

Yes, and it’s the most convenient option. Your lawyer (advogado) handling the property purchase has the authority to certify tradução certificada. This saves both time and money since you don’t need a separate notary for certification.