Case report · Madeira

Financing a detached house in Caniço – Living permanently with a sea view on Madeira

A couple from North Rhine-Westphalia, both long-standing tax advisers, were planning a permanent move to Madeira after entering retirement. They were looking for a detached house in Caniço with a sea view, a low-maintenance garden and enough room for regular family visits.

Key figures

At a glance

  • Purchase price: 790.000 €
  • Renovation: 70.500 €
  • Financing required: 537.200 €
  • Equity: 362.800 €

Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO

Typical, anonymised case. Names, places and individual financing figures have been adjusted to protect privacy. The process reflects a typical advisory situation for non-resident financing in Portugal.

Finding a new home between Funchal and the east coast

Caniço is one of the most popular places to live on Madeira. Its proximity to the island capital Funchal, good infrastructure and quiet residential areas make it especially attractive for German-speaking buyers who want to move their centre of life permanently to Portugal. Detached houses often offer plenty of living space but require individual modernisation before moving in.

Initial situation

A couple from North Rhine-Westphalia, both long-standing tax advisers, were planning a permanent move to Madeira after entering retirement. They were looking for a detached house in Caniço with a sea view, a low-maintenance garden and enough room for regular family visits. The chosen house was in very good structural condition but was to be adapted technically and aesthetically to their own ideas.

Financing overview

  • Purchase price: 790.000 €
  • Additional costs: 39.500 €
  • Renovation: 70.500 €
  • Total investment: 900.000 €
  • Equity: 362.800 €
  • Financing required: 537.200 €

The challenge

The couple had liquid funds from the sale of their previous property in Germany. Even so, not all of their assets were to flow into the purchase. Part of the capital was to remain available for retirement and unforeseen expenses. At the same time, it was important to complete all modernisation before moving in.

Analysis

For a permanent change of residence to Madeira, holistic financing planning is often more sensible than looking at the purchase price alone. Only by including additional costs and modernisation does the actual capital requirement become clear.

The financing corresponded to around 68 % of the purchase price. This allowed equity and outside financing to be combined in a balanced way without restricting financial flexibility.

Financing solution

All planned measures were already taken into account in the financing:

  • installation of a modern open kitchen
  • renewal of the bathrooms
  • energy-efficient air conditioning of the living areas
  • new shading systems on the terraces
  • custom-made fitted wardrobes
  • modernisation of the network and internet infrastructure
  • intelligent lighting control

All work was carried out immediately after the purchase.

Outcome

The detached house could be occupied fully modernised a few weeks later. The buyers began their new chapter on Madeira without a further building phase and at the same time kept sufficient financial reserves for the future.

What other buyers can learn

For a permanent move to Madeira, it pays to consider the property purchase as a whole. When the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation are planned together, reliable financing emerges without later top-up loans or unplanned extra costs.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can modernisation be included directly in the financing?
Yes. If the work is defined and calculated transparently before the purchase, it can often be part of the overall financing.
Does financing make sense even though there is enough equity?
Many buyers want to keep their asset structure balanced and preserve financial reserves for the future.
Which modernisations are typical for detached houses in Caniço?
Kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning, lighting, digital infrastructure and individual storage solutions are frequently modernised.
Is Caniço suitable as a permanent residence?
Yes. Caniço offers good infrastructure, a fast connection to Funchal, medical care, shopping and a high quality of life.

Conclusion

A detached house in Caniço combines a quiet residential setting with quick access to Funchal. Anyone who plans the total investment realistically and includes all modernisation in the financing from the start creates a solid basis for permanent life on Madeira.

Your contact

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Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Siegfried Perini, BAFA-notified for the cross-border activity of the owner Olga Nikushkina · §34i GewO · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank