IMI (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis) is Portugal's yearly property tax. It is charged by the tax office for the town hall where the property is, on the property's tax value (valor patrimonial tributário, VPT) — not its market price. Each town sets its rate within the legal range, for urban property between 0.3% and 0.45%.
Who pays
The person who owned the property on 31 December of the year before — resident or not. If you sold during the year, the owner on 31 December still receives the whole bill; buyers and sellers usually settle this in the deed. Property worth more than €600,000 per owner can also pay a separate additional tax (AIMI).
When to pay
- Up to €100 — once, in May.
- €100 to €500 — in May and November.
- Over €500 — in May, August and November.
In 2026 the dates are 31 May, 31 August and 30 November; the whole amount can be paid in May. The bill (nota de cobrança) appears in the Portal das Finanças and in your electronic mailbox; a paper letter may not come at all — owners abroad often find out only when a payment is late.
Owners abroad
A non-resident owner does not need a fiscal representative if they have signed up for the tax office's electronic notifications; otherwise a representative in Portugal receives the letters. A direct debit (débito direto) from a bank account avoids missed dates. An unpaid instalment leads to a fine and, in the end, an execução fiscal; see also a letter from Finanças.
A lawyer for property tax for foreign owners can check the tax value and the bill, or deal with the tax office for you. The property tax calculator estimates IMI and the taxes of buying and selling.
Prepared by Legal Help Tool. Last updated . General information, not legal advice.
