The Real Guide to Avoiding Expat Scams in Portugal (2025 Update)

Moving to Portugal is exciting—sunny beaches, friendly people, a calmer lifestyle, and a rich cultural mix. But the moment you start dealing with rentals, contracts, banking, or visas, you’ll quickly realise something: Portugal has scams specifically targeting expats.

This guide isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to protect you.
Portugal’s justice system is slow, scammers are creative, and prevention is your strongest defence. At FutureMigrate, we help you understand the real risks and avoid costly mistakes.

Below is a breakdown of the most common scams targeting expats, how they work, and how to stay safe.

1. Rental Scams in Portugal

The rental market in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve is extremely competitive. That pressure has created the perfect environment for rental fraud.

The PSP (Public Security Police) reported a 25% rise in rental scams in early 2025—and these scams are increasingly sophisticated.

How Rental Scams Work

Most follow the same pattern:

1. The Bait

A beautiful apartment at a price slightly cheaper than average. Great photos. Perfect location.

2. The Story

The “landlord” is friendly, responsive, and always abroad. They can’t show the property in person.

3. The Pressure

“You must act fast; many others are interested.”
They push you to skip due diligence.

4. The Payment Request

To “reserve” the apartment, you must send a deposit or months of rent upfront—often via bank transfer or cash.

5. The Vanish

Once paid, the scammer disappears.
The listing is deleted.
Emails bounce.
Phone numbers stop working.
And the real address? Someone else lives there.

Top Rental Red Flags in Portugal

1. No Registered Contract

If a landlord offers to rent “under the table” to avoid taxes, walk away.
Unregistered contracts give you zero legal protection. You can be evicted instantly.

2. Short-term rental without an AL license

Rentals under 3 months must be licensed as Alojamento Local (AL).
You can verify the license number on the official tourism database.

3. Excessive Deposit Requirements

Standard: 1–2 months of rent + first month upfront.
Illegal pressure: 6, 9, or 12 months in advance.
If anything goes wrong, recovering this money is almost impossible.

4. Dealing with a Sub-Letter Instead of the Owner

Illegal subletting is extremely common.
Ask for the Certidão do Registo Predial (land registry certificate).
If the person renting the property isn’t the owner, demand written authorisation.

Case Study: Arroios Residency Certificate Scam

One of Lisbon’s biggest scams involved:

• A tenant renting a tiny flat

• Selling fake residency certificates to over 1,500 foreigners

• Charging €300–€500 for each certificate

• Then demanding another €300–€500 to hand over NIF letters and passwords

As a result, many victims now face serious visa and residency complications.

How to Avoid Rental Scams

• Never rent unseen—use a trusted friend or verified relocation agent.

• Verify ownership via the Land Registry Certificate.

• Demand a registered contract (officially submitted to Finanças).

• Pay only via traceable bank transfers.

• Use licensed agent platforms like Supercasa and check the AMI license number.

If you’re scammed, file a report immediately with PSP or GNR.

2. Property Buying Scams in Portugal

Buying a home in Portugal is exciting—but it comes with its own risks.
These scams don’t always take your deposit; they trap you in a bad or illegal property.

Common Property Scams & How to Protect Yourself

1. Fake Ownership

Someone pretends to be the owner.

Protect Yourself:
Always verify the Certidão do Registo Predial, downloaded directly by your lawyer from official sources.

2. Unlicensed “Agents”

Many people act as agents without an AMI license.

Protect Yourself:
Check every agent’s AMI number on the IMPIC website.

3. Hidden Debts or Illegal Construction

You might unknowingly buy:

• A property with unpaid taxes

• An unlicensed extension or extra floor

• Illegal renovations that can be ordered for demolition

Protect Yourself:
A real lawyer compares:
✔ Land Registry
✔ Tax Registry
✔ Physical property
If anything doesn’t match—stop immediately.

4. Off-Plan Developer Fraud

Developers ask for large upfront fees with no bank guarantee.

Protect Yourself:
Only pay in stages and only with bank-guaranteed protection.

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3. Scams by Professionals

The most dangerous scams come from the professionals you trust—lawyers, consultants, “visa experts,” and relocation advisors.

Visa Consultant Scam

The pitch:
“You don’t qualify for this visa, but for €2,000–€5,000 I can get someone at AIMA to approve it.”

This is corruption.
Your visa becomes illegal, and future renewals can be denied.

Fake Lawyer Scam

Scammers clone real law firm websites and claim you need to pay for fake documents like:

• “Employment clearance certificate”

• “International processing fee”

• “Guarantee fund deposit”

These documents do not exist in Portuguese immigration law.

How to Avoid Professional Scams

• Verify lawyers with the Ordem dos Advogados.

• Verify real estate agents via the AMI license database.

• Never use a lawyer recommended by the seller.

• Get 3 independent quotes for legal or consulting services.

• Avoid anyone claiming to have “connections” at AIMA or embassies.

• Always get contracts and quotes in writing.

4. Digital and Phone Scams in Portugal

Portugal ranks among the worst countries in Europe for spam and phishing attacks.

Common Phone Scams

Scammers use caller ID spoofing to appear local.

How It Works

• You get silent calls — marking your number as “active.”

• Later, a scammer pretends to be your bank, PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, or CTT.

• They ask for passwords, verification codes, or remote access.

Protection Rule:
Banks and tech companies never call you out of the blue.
Never share codes or allow remote access.

5. Email & Tax Phishing Scams

You receive emails pretending to be from:

• Finanças (tax authority)

• CTT

• EDP (electric company)

They claim:

• You are owed a refund

• Your login credentials expired

• You must pay customs or tax immediately

Protection Rule:
Always access your Finanças/CTT/EDP accounts by typing the official website manually.
Never click links in emails.

6. Tradesman Scams (“Expat Tax”)

This is not a complex scam—just overcharging foreigners.

Tactics include:

• Inflated quotes

• “Extra problems” suddenly discovered

• Cash-only discounts (no receipt)

• Vague pricing

How to Protect Yourself

• Ask local Portuguese neighbors for recommendations.

• Get 3 written quotes (orçamentos).

• Always ask for a fatura with your NIF.

• Check restaurant bills in tourist zones.