The Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) intends to increase the municipal property tax (IMI) on unoccupied properties, raise the property transfer tax (IMT) applied to foreign purchasers, and enable municipal councils to take on debt to finance housing construction.
Housing: Socialist Party proposes raising IMI on vacant properties, increasing IMT for foreign buyers and allowing councils to borrow to build
Monday, 5 January 2026RSS
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Context & Explainers
The property transfer tax (Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis), commonly called IMT, is a one‑off tax paid when you buy real estate in Portugal and its rate depends on the property’s price and type. The exemption referenced by the finance minister lowers upfront costs for eligible young buyers, making it an important affordability measure for people trying to enter the housing market.
