Estate Agents In Portugal (Mediação Imobiliários)

Useful Information

◊ Interesting Facts About Estate Agents in Portugal

Unlike the United Kingdom where no professional qualifications are required to sell real estate, in Portugal all estate agents must be licensed and registered.

This provides safe guards for both buyers and sellers of property in Portugal. To attain a license an agents must be able to provide proof of their professional qualifications as well liability insurance.

All registered agents must display an AMI number (Associacão de Mediadores Imobiliários), which is issued by the governing body, INCI (Instituto da Construção e do Imobiliário ).

In addition to display their license estate agents in Portugal must ensure all their promotional literature including advertisements, websites and letterhead, includes their AMI number.

Checking out an Estate Agent in Portugal

Don't be fooled into thinking an agent is registered and legal though just because they display an AMI number. There have been cases when an agent sets up shop and creates his/her own number.

You can double check the professional credentials of all legal estate agents in Portugal online on INCI's website - Licença da Mediação Imobiliaria. From the drop down menu choose the district (Districto) and locale (Concelho), then press pesquisar. All licensed agents will then be displayed for this area.

Agents must carry an INCI identity card and they will not be offended if asked to show it.

Estate agents in Portugal are usually paid by the seller. Depending upon the agent and the location commission fees vary and can be anything from 3-6% of the sale price and in some cases agencies will charge a fixed fee.