Financing a terraced house in Coimbra – A historic university city as a new centre of life
A couple from Hesse, both grammar-school teachers, were planning a permanent move to Portugal after entering retirement. They were looking for a terraced house with a small garden, three bedrooms and an additional study for voluntary projects and digital further education.
In short
What was this case about?
A couple from Hesse, both grammar-school teachers, were planning a permanent move to Portugal after entering retirement. They were looking for a terraced house with a small garden, three bedrooms and an additional study for voluntary projects and digital further education.
Can modernisation costs be fully included in the financing?
As a rule the Portuguese bank does not co-finance modernisation — it belongs in the overall plan: equity or raising capital against German property.
Why is financing used despite sufficient equity?
Many buyers want to preserve financial reserves and not tie up all their assets in a property.
Who arranged this?
Perini Finance & Property — German-speaking, operating under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina, Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary; 15 to 20 banks approached per case. First call free; on completion 1 % of the loan amount.
Case figures: €470,000 price, €304,900 loan
- Purchase price: 470.000 €
- Renovation: 56.500 €
- Financing required: 304.900 €
- Equity: 245.100 €
Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO
Between tradition, science and a high quality of life
Coimbra is one of Portugal's most historic cities and is known far beyond the country's borders for its university. At the same time, the city offers excellent infrastructure, short distances and a comparatively relaxed price level. For German-speaking buyers who want to move to Portugal permanently, modern terraced houses in quiet residential settings are an attractive alternative to the coastal regions.
Retired teachers from Hesse looking for a terraced house
A couple from Hesse, both grammar-school teachers, were planning a permanent move to Portugal after entering retirement. They were looking for a terraced house with a small garden, three bedrooms and an additional study for voluntary projects and digital further education. The house they found was in a well-kept residential district of Coimbra but was to be comprehensively modernised before moving in.
€550,000 in total, €245,100 of it from own funds
- Purchase price: 470.000 €
- Additional costs: 23.500 €
- Renovation: 56.500 €
- Total investment: 550.000 €
- Equity: 245.100 €
- Financing required: 304.900 €
Keeping a reserve and renovating right after purchase
The buyers deliberately wanted to keep part of their assets as a reserve for retirement and at the same time carry out all modernisation measures immediately after the purchase. Later top-up financing was to be avoided.
65% loan; renovation drives the real capital need
In regions with a more moderate price level too, the financing planning should be based on the entire investment. Alongside the purchase price and acquisition costs, modernisation in particular determines the actual capital requirement.
With financing of 65 % of the purchase price, a balanced structure emerged between equity and outside financing. At the same time, enough financial flexibility remained for the new chapter of life.
Kitchen, bathrooms and workspace covered by own funds
The overall plan took all planned measures into account — covered from equity, not by the bank loan:
- installation of a modern kitchen
- complete modernisation of the bathrooms
- energy-efficient air conditioning
- creation of a quiet home-office and work area
- structured network cabling
- custom-made fitted wardrobes
- new LED lighting throughout the house
All work was completed immediately after the acquisition.
Move to Coimbra as planned, reserve stays in place
The terraced house could be occupied without a further building phase. The buyers moved their centre of life to Coimbra as planned and had a modernly equipped home. At the same time, part of their assets remained as a financial reserve.
Coimbra: good living at a balanced price level
It is not only the coastal regions that offer attractive options for a permanent move to Portugal. Cities like Coimbra are convincing for their quality of life, infrastructure and balanced price level. Anyone who plans the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation together creates a solid financial basis from the start.
Frequently asked
Can modernisation costs be fully included in the financing?
Why is financing used despite sufficient equity?
Which modernisations are especially common for terraced houses in Coimbra?
Is Coimbra suitable as a permanent residence?
Coimbra: overall planning secures relaxed, long-term living
A terraced house in Coimbra can be an excellent choice for a permanent new start in Portugal. An overall plan that budgets the purchase price, additional costs and all modernisation measures together — the bank loan for the purchase price, costs and renovation from equity — creates planning certainty and forms the basis for relaxed living over the long term.
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A similar situation in Portugal? Let's talk.
Every financing in Portugal is an individual case. In a free initial consultation I will tell you honestly what is feasible and which bank fits.
Book a free consultationAnonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Brokerage under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina (D-W-132-ZUCB-95); Siegfried Perini registered as directly involved person (§11a GewO) · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank