Updated: February 18, 2025
Portugal’s rise as a crypto haven has captured the world’s attention, drawing investors eager to capitalize on its welcoming stance. Many are now asking: Can you actually buy property in Portugal with crypto? The answer is a resounding yes!
While regulations evolve, forward-thinking guidance issued by the Order of Notaries in 2022 empowers notaries to facilitate seamless digital transactions for property acquisitions.
Ready to turn your crypto into your dream Portuguese home? Let’s explore exactly how you can make it happen.
Understanding Portugal’s Crypto Advantage
Portugal has gained recognition as a world leader in welcoming crypto investment. One key aspect of this is that crypto earnings enjoy tax-free status, easing the path for cryptocurrency businesses to thrive.
In 2024, Global Citizen Solutions identified Portugal as a prime location for crypto investors in their
Global Report on the Best Jurisdictions for Crypto Investors.
Analyzing 75 countries based on factors such as economics, technology, and regulatory environment, Portugal secured a notable 6th position.
This high ranking demonstrates Portugal’s advantage, driven by compelling factors, including attractive crypto-tax incentives with personal crypto gains often being tax-exempt. Crypto holders also benefit from not having to pay taxes on assets held for more than a year. It is important to note that companies offering crypto-currency services will be taxed on capital gains, at a standard rate.
Buying property in Portugal with crypto isn’t just a trend; it’s a reality. Portugal’s thriving real estate market, combined with its crypto-friendly regulations, has naturally sparked interest among investors. Recent regulatory advancements have created clear pathways for secure crypto-based property transactions.
The Order of Notaries (ON) has worked to provide clear instructions on how to create property deeds for crypto transactions, while upholding strict measures against money laundering.
While previously the ON didn’t register purely digital businesses, the new regulations facilitate real estate transactions with virtual currencies. This makes Portugal a prime destination for those looking to invest in property with crypto.
The move to establish clear crypto regulations stemmed from the growing demand for real estate negotiations involving Bitcoin and other digital currencies.
The ON has emphasized a commitment to transparency while keeping a watchful eye for any signs of money laundering.
The most common is the buyer’s broker will exchange the digital currency for traditional currency. The funds will make their way to the seller’s bank account in the local currency when the transaction is complete.
However, some cases involve crypto assets being exchanged directly between the buyer and seller.
These operations are at the core of the ON’s regulations, providing Notary officers with the tools to meticulously examine crypto transactions and promote transparency.
The ON’s regulations took effect back in April 2022, under those rules, notaries require a variety of documents from both parties. They also need personal identification as complete records of the acquisition and storage wallets related to the transaction.
After that, details are distributed Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action(DCIAP) and the Financial Information Unit to ensure compliance.
If there are no disagreements, the notaries can continue to hold out the property deed. For businesses with value over €200,000, there will be a communication stage after the completion of the operation.
Since crypto is extremely volatile it needs to be reported when money is being converted.
Since the start of 2022, the sectors have had many requests wanting to buy property with crypto. The first case of buying property with crypto happened in Braga in May 2022.
If you are thinking of buying property with crypto, you will need to know where the money initially comes from. You’ll need to provide information on the digital wallet number, verify that the money flows from one wallet to another at the time of the transaction, and the identity of the people conducting the transaction.
To simply say it, cryptocurrency investors will need to be able to follow the money to ensure transparency.
Goldcrest: How We Can Help You
Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.
If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering
insightful expertise and strategic advice.
Why choose Goldcrest?
- Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
- Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
- Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
- Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
- Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.
Yes, it is possible to buy a house in Portugal with Bitcoin. The first time this happened was in Braga in May 2022, when an investor bought a house in the city with crypto.
Yes, crypto is legal in Portugal, with the country being noted as one of the most crypto friendly countries in the world.
Yes, Portugal’s high ranking as a crypto-friendly nation and attractiveness to investors are based on crypto-tax incentives, such as investors benefiting from tax exemptions on personal crypto gains and its streamlined approach to crypto.
