Do I need to declare a Portuguese property to the French tax authorities?

Yes, declaration is mandatory via form 3916 for any account and form 2044 for rental income. The France-Portugal tax treaty prevents double taxation.

Can I finance the purchase with a French bank?

Technically yes, but French banks rarely take a mortgage on a Portuguese property. It's simpler to go through a Portuguese bank or use cash equity.

Guide · French buyers

How to buy in Algarve as a French buyer in 2026

The practical, operational guide for a French buyer: steps, taxation, financing, pitfalls. Everything you need to know before getting started.

Buying in the Algarve from France is simpler than most people think, provided you follow the right steps in the right order. Here is the typical journey of a French buyer we guide through the process.

Before you go: what to prepare

Gather: a valid passport or ID card, your last 3 French tax notices, proof of income, and a French bank statement (RIB). These documents will be useful for opening an account and arranging financing.

Getting a NIF and a Portuguese bank account

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is mandatory for any transaction in Portugal. As a non-resident EU citizen, you can obtain it directly at a Finanças office (Serviço de Finanças) on site, or through a lawyer/tax representative (~€150, 48 hours).

Then open an account with a Portuguese bank: Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, ActivoBank or Santander Totta. This makes fund transfers and tax payments much easier.

The search: agencies vs off-market

Standard portals (Idealista, Imovirtual, Kyero) show less than 60% of the real market. Premium properties are often handled off-market, through confidential networks that only a local property hunter can access.

Next step

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France ↔ Portugal taxation: the 2026 truth

The France-Portugal tax treaty prevents double taxation. In practice:

Rental income is taxed in Portugal (flat 25% rate), then declared in France with a tax credit equal to the corresponding French tax (generally a neutral effect).
The capital gain on resale is taxed in Portugal (28% for non-residents, only 50% of the gain for residents), with a possible exemption if reinvested.
French wealth tax (IFI) still applies to the Portuguese property if your worldwide assets exceed €1.3M.

From CPCV to escritura

The CPCV (Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda) is the Portuguese preliminary contract. You typically pay a 10% deposit. If you withdraw: you lose the deposit. If the seller withdraws: they must repay you double.

The escritura pública (deed of sale) is signed before the Portuguese notary 30 to 90 days later. At that point you pay the balance, the IMT, the Imposto do Selo and notary fees. The keys are handed over the same day.

To go further, read our Algarve property hunter pillar page or our full investment guide.