Portuguese banks for your mortgage — which ones finance non-residents?
Portugal often finances non-residents at a higher loan-to-value than Spain. Here are the 14 most important lenders — from the state-owned CGD to the specialists — with what matters for foreign buyers.
In short
Which Portuguese banks lend to non-residents?
Above all Millennium BCP, Novobanco, Banco BPI, Santander Totta and Bankinter Portugal; the specialist UCI Portugal and the niche Atlântico Europa. The largest is the state-owned CGD.
Portuguese mortgage: how much do they lend?
Typically at a higher loan-to-value than Spain, set on the lower of purchase price and Avaliação — so often with less equity than in Spain.
What changed among the banks?
Novobanco has belonged to France's Groupe BPCE since 2026; EuroBic has been fully absorbed into Abanca Portugal.
Which Portuguese banks finance non-residents?
The most active lenders for foreign buyers in Portugal are Millennium BCP, Novobanco, Banco BPI, Santander Totta and Bankinter Portugal; UCI Portugal is the cross-border specialist and Banco Atlântico Europa the expat-focused niche. In total Perini compares 14 Portuguese institutions and approaches the suitable ones per case — from the large branch banks through the mortgage specialist to the expat-oriented house. Portugal often finances non-residents with a higher loan-to-value than Spain, so buyers who need high leverage frequently get by with less equity. A Portuguese tax number (NIF) is required in every case, and the bank assesses income and property before committing. Which house fits a given case depends on the borrower profile and the property, and is settled in a direct comparison after the credit review — not by the best-known name. Perini approaches the suitable houses in parallel rather than relying on a single bank's offer.
Not the brand decides, but the bank that fits
As an independent broker I compare and negotiate with the right banks for you. Portuguese banks typically finance non-residents up to 80 % of the lower of purchase price and avaliação; the actual rate ranges are on mortgage rates Portugal, the requirements on Portugal mortgage requirements.
Which institution writes a specific special case is part of the mandate and is not listed here. This is a market overview, not a commitment from any particular bank.
Portugal's big banks
The nationwide lenders have established non-resident programmes and mostly English-speaking service.
- Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) — state-owned bank, the largest in Portugal.
- Millennium BCP — largest private bank, active for non-residents.
- Novobanco — owned since 2026 by France's Groupe BPCE; large non-resident business.
- Santander Totta — Portuguese subsidiary of the Santander group, own non-resident programme.
- Banco BPI — owned by Spain's CaixaBank; active for foreign buyers.
- Bankinter Portugal — Portuguese arm of Spain's Bankinter, strong for non-residents.
Cooperative, mutual and retail
- Crédito Agrícola — Portugal's largest cooperative banking group.
- Banco Montepio (Caixa Económica Montepio Geral) — mutually-owned retail bank.
- Abanca Portugal — Galicia's Abanca in Portugal; absorbed EuroBic (integration completed 2025).
- Banco CTT — retail bank of the Portuguese postal operator (CTT).
Specialists and niche lenders
- UCI Portugal (Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios) — mortgage specialist (Santander/BNP Paribas), strong cross-border.
- Banco Atlântico Europa — expat- and non-resident-oriented bank with a crédito habitação offer.
- Banco Invest — investment bank with its own residential mortgage.
- Banco BiG (Banco de Investimento Global) — investment bank with a crédito habitação product.
Strongest for non-residents: Millennium BCP, Novobanco, Banco BPI, Santander Totta and Bankinter Portugal are the established cross-border lenders; UCI Portugal is the cross-border specialist and Banco Atlântico Europa the expat-focused niche. Which one fits your case, I check in a direct comparison.