For years, the rule of a maximum financing of 90% kept thousands of young people away from buying a home, simply because they couldn't save the thousands of euros needed for the down payment. In response to this barrier, the Portuguese State created the Public Guarantee, a measure in force until the end of 2026 that acts as a 'guarantor' for the buyer.
With this solution, the State guarantees up to 15% of the property transaction value, allowing banks to finance the full (100%) acquisition value. This way, young people can access the real estate market by only paying the monthly installment, without having to spend years trying to save the usual 10% down payment.
Despite being a green light for the first house, 100% credit has tight rules. To benefit from this guarantee, it is mandatory to comply with the following conditions cumulatively:
If you are a couple buying, both individuals must meet all of these requirements.
Yes. One of the great advantages of this scheme is that Public Guarantee accumulates with tax exemption (IMT and Stamp Duty) for young people up to 35 years old.
This means that if you buy a house up to 316,772 euros (updated value of the 4th IMT bracket), you won't have to pay any taxes to the State, and the bank lends 100% of the value. This double advantage reduces the savings needed to buy a home practically to zero.
Buying a house with 100% financing is not without risks. By financing the entire property, the amount owed to the bank will be higher than with a 90% loan. As a result, your monthly installment will be higher.
This requires young people to have a solid income. The Bank of Portugal recently imposed that the effort rate cannot exceed 45%. Therefore, it is not enough for the State to provide the guarantee: the bank will rigorously analyze your income to confirm if you have the ability to pay a heavier monthly installment without entering default risk.
Even with 100% financing and IMT exemption, you will still need some money in your pocket before signing the deed. You will have to pay:
The State Public Guarantee lasts for 10 years. In addition, the law establishes that this measure will only be valid for contracts formalized until December 31, 2026.
100% financing eliminates the entry barrier, but requires a higher monthly capacity to pay the installment to the bank. Analyzing your net income and planning procedural costs is vital before starting to visit houses.
Do a simulation in Poupança no Minuto. Our experts analyze your income, confirm if you meet all State requirements, and tell you exactly how much you can buy your first house without a down payment.
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