Buyer protection: Portugal vs. comparable markets
Six dimensions across six markets: structural comparison
Protection mechanism Portugal UK USA Australia Spain Germany
Licensed buyer's agent with fiduciary duty No Partial Yes Yes No Partial
Shared listing database (MLS equivalent) No Partial Yes (MLS) Partial No Partial
Dual agency disclosure required No Yes Yes Yes / prohibited No Partial
Mandatory pre-purchase inspection No Not mandatory Standard practice Standard practice No Gutachter standard
Pre-sale technical/diagnostic disclosure No EPC only Seller disclosure form Building report Cedula de habitabilidad Energieausweis + disclosures
Notary / state compliance verification Removed 2024 Solicitor review Title search Solicitor / conveyancer Notario review Notarielle Beurkundung
Sources: NAR (US) · RICS (UK) · Consumer Affairs Australia · Colegio de Registradores (Spain) · Bundesnotarkammer (Germany) · Decreto-Lei n.o 10/2024 (Portugal) · Lei n.o 15/2013 (Portugal)