What documents you need to sell a home
PARCERIA ER · Vender casa · atualizado em 2026-11-02
Having the paperwork ready from the start avoids delays with the promissory contract and the deed, and gives buyers confidence. This is the essential list.
Mandatory documents
- Caderneta predial urbana (urban property tax record): identifies the property with the Tax Authority (Finanças) and shows its tax value. It can be obtained free of charge on the Portal das Finanças.
- Certidão permanente do registo predial (permanent land registry certificate): shows who the owner is and whether there are any mortgages or charges. It is requested online, and the access code is valid for 6 months.
- Energy certificate: mandatory for selling, and the energy rating must appear in the listing itself. It is valid for 10 years and is issued by a qualified assessor. Advertising without a certificate can lead to fines of 250 € to 3.740 € for private individuals.
- Identification documents of all owners (and the spouse's consent, where required).
What about the licença de utilização (occupancy licence)?
With the Simplex Urbanístico (planning simplification reform), since 1 January 2024 it is no longer mandatory to present the licença de utilização at the deed. Even so, it is advisable to have it: many banks still ask for it to approve the buyer's mortgage, which can delay the sale. If there is one, also include the ficha técnica da habitação (housing technical file).
Since 1 October 2026, under Simplex Urbanístico 2.0, the deed must state the property's position regarding its título urbanístico (planning title, such as the licença de utilização): either the title is presented, or the seller declares that they hold it, or declares that they do not. It is still possible to sell without a title, but without this statement the sale can be annulled.
If the home has a mortgage or a condominium
- Outstanding mortgage: the bank calculates the amount owed and, on the day of the deed, the loan is paid off with the sale proceeds. It then issues the distrate (mortgage release) to cancel the mortgage.
- Condominium: ask the building manager for a statement of any debts to the condominium (or confirming there are none), which must be presented at the deed.
Useful documents
- Floor plans of the property.
- Invoices for improvement works (they can reduce capital gains tax).
- Recent water, electricity and gas bills and the condominium rules.
Not sure where to start? At PARCERIA ER we gather the documents for you. Start by requesting a
free valuation of your property.
