Promissory purchase agreement in Portugal: what to check before signing
A practical checklist for reviewing the CPCV, deposit, deadlines, mortgage conditions and key clauses before buying a home in Portugal.
The promissory purchase agreement, usually called CPCV in Portugal, is the document that turns buying intent into a binding commitment. Before signing it, check the details carefully.
Property identification
Confirm that the address, tax record, land registry description, unit, areas and annexes match the property you visited. If there is a garage, storage room, terrace or plot, it should be clearly described.
Documents to request before signing
Ask for at least the permanent land registry certificate, tax registry document, usage licence when applicable, energy certificate, housing technical file when available, relevant condominium minutes and evidence of charges.
Deposit and staged payments
The CPCV should say how much you pay as a deposit, when each payment is due and how those amounts are deducted from the final price. Avoid payments without a receipt or without a clearly identified destination account.
Mortgage approval
If you depend on a mortgage, include a condition that protects you if the bank does not approve financing within a defined deadline. Without that clause, you may risk losing the deposit.
Deadlines and deed
Set a realistic deadline for the deed and define who can schedule it. The agreement should also explain what happens if either buyer or seller misses the deadline.
Charges, debts and occupancy
The property should reach the deed free from mortgages, seizures, unwanted tenancy rights, condominium debts and unexpected occupants. If something cannot be solved before the CPCV, write down how and when it will be solved.
Default clauses
In Portugal, it is common for the buyer to lose the deposit if they default, and for the seller to return double the deposit if they default. Confirm whether the agreement follows this rule or changes the balance.
Next step
Treat the CPCV as a checklist, not as a formality. When there are doubts about registry records, financing, works, inheritances, licences or tenancies, legal review before signing is usually worth it.