How to Register a Rental Contract in Portugal as a Tenant

INLIS Consulting
2 hours ago
3 min read

Portugal’s 2025 rental law empowers tenants to register lease contracts directly with Finanças if landlords fail to do so. Step-by-step guide, deadlines, taxes, and benefits explained.

Portugal’s 2025 Rental Reform: What Tenants Need to Know

In August 2025, Portugal introduced a major housing reform with Portaria n.º 106/2025/1. For the first time, tenants can register their rental contracts online with Finanças, even if the landlord refuses or fails to declare the lease.

This change strengthens tenant protection, improves tax transparency, and unlocks benefits such as tax deductions and legal proof of residence.

At INLIS Consulting, we guide expats, digital nomads, and residents through Portugal’s evolving housing and tax system. Here’s our simplified guide to the new rental registration rules.

What Does the New Rental Law Say?

Effective Date: June 13, 2025
Who Can Register? Tenants and subtenants
Where? Directly on the Finanças portal
When? Only after the landlord’s deadline has expired

Legal Timeline

Lease Start Date	Landlord Registration Deadline	Tenant Can Register From
October 1, 2026	November 30, 2026	December 1, 2026

How to Check If Your Lease Is Already Registered

Before registering, log in to the Finanças portal and verify if your landlord has already declared the contract. If it is not visible, you may proceed with tenant registration.

Step-by-Step: How to Register Your Rental Contract (2025 Guide)

Log in to the Finanças portal.
Go to the Tenant Registration Area (Inquilinos) → click “Comunicar”.
Fill in contract details:
- Contract type (lease, sublease, promise of lease)
- Purpose (permanent, temporary, commercial)
- Dates (start/end, renewable status)
- Property address and article number
- Landlord’s NIF (tax number)
- Tenant’s NIF (your tax number)
- Rent amount and frequency
Upload contract (PDF or image of signed lease).
Submit the declaration.

Taxes and Fees: Stamp Duty on Rental Contracts

All rental agreements in Portugal are subject to Imposto do Selo (Stamp Duty).

How to Calculate Stamp Duty

Monthly Rent	Contract Term	Stamp Duty Rate	Total Stamp Duty
€900	1 year	10% of one month per year	€90
€1,200	2 years	10% × 2 months	€240
€1,500	3 years	10% × 3 months	€450

Payment methods: Multibanco (ATM), online banking, or Finanças portal reference.

⚠️ If unpaid, the registration may be invalid, and fines may apply.

Benefits of Registering the Lease as a Tenant

By registering your rental contract yourself, you gain:

✅ Legal proof of residence
✅ Eligibility for IRS rent deductions
✅ Stronger support in visa and residency applications (D7, Digital Nomad, Golden Visa)

✅ Access to rental support schemes (e.g., Porta 65)
✅ Full legal protection under Portuguese housing law

IRS Rent Deduction Caps

Year	Maximum Deduction
2025	€700
2026	€750
2027	€800

How This Affects Landlords

Once the tenant registers the lease:

Finanças can track undeclared rental income.
The landlord must pay taxes owed.
This responsibility does not fall on the tenant.

⚠️ Some landlords may resist registration to avoid taxation. However, under Portuguese law:

Retaliatory eviction is illegal.
As long as you have a signed contract and pay rent, you are protected.

What Tenants Should Do If Conflicts Arise

Keep proof of rent payments and communication.
Contact INLIS Consulting, a lawyer, or a tenant association.
Report harassment to housing authorities or Finanças.

Final Thoughts

Portugal’s 2025 rental law update is a major step forward in tenant rights and housing transparency. If your landlord fails to register your lease, you now have the legal power to do it yourself.

For expats, digital nomads, and long-term residents, this ensures: