Portugal has long been a favourite destination for Britain’s moving abroad. Many reasons see people flock there each year; it is the weather, the slower pace of life, and the proximity to the UK which attracts people to its shores.

Buying a property in Portugal is easy as the UK has a reciprocal agreement with all the other countries in the EU, meaning you do not need a visa to move and live there. Property can be purchased and at the moment is very cheap when compared to the UK, in terms of what you get for your money.

There is a notary system in Portugal which means you don’t technically need a solicitor when purchasing a property, however you would be wise to hire one anyway. The solicitor will be the one who oversees all the work the notary does and checks the legality of their work and the things written in the contracts. It is imperative that you do not sign any contracts before they have been looked over by a legal professional. You will also need to hire a translator so that you have copies of all documents in English and Portuguese; you need to read and understand everything that is being said in the contracts and if there is anything you are not sure of, be sure to ask the solicitor before you sign. The copy you sign will be the Portuguese version and once you have done so, it will become a legally binding document. This means that if anything is found to be incorrect after the signing, there is not much that you will be able to do about it. When choosing a translator, try to find one whose first language is English.

Word of mouth is always the best way to find a professional that you know you can trust. However if you don’t know anybody who has made the move to Portugal, there are lots of forums where people share their experiences and recommendations. It is also a good way of seeing which companies and services to avoid, if people have had bad experiences using them.