The fiscal package for housing, published in May, established a fixed rate of 7.5% of IMT for non-resident taxpayers purchasing properties intended exclusively for housing, regardless of the property value. This measure aims to increase tax revenue from the Portuguese real estate market.
However, married or cohabiting couples with fiscal residents in Portugal can benefit from an exception to this fixed rate. When one of the spouses or partners is a resident in Portuguese territory, the property can be considered as own and permanent residence, being subject to the normal progressive IMT rates.
This distinction allows couples where one member is a non-resident to pay less IMT than they would with the fixed rate of 7.5%, especially on lower-value properties. The difference between progressive rates and the fixed rate can represent significant savings for taxpayers in these situations.
