Before signing a CPCV, it’s important to make sure there are no hidden pitfalls. We’ll review the contract, explain the risks, and help you make an informed decision.
The Preliminary Sale and Purchase Agreement (Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda, or CPCV) is a binding legal document signed by the parties before the final deed of sale for real estate in Portugal. It records the key terms of the deal, such as the agreed price, deadlines, obligations of the parties, and potential penalties for breach. For many foreign buyers, this is their first official step toward purchasing property in the country, which is why it’s important to approach it with maximum care.
A CPCV is binding — this means that both parties must fulfill its terms. After signing, neither side can withdraw from the agreement without consequences. If the buyer cancels the deal, the deposit is usually forfeited; if the seller breaches the terms, they must return double the deposit. This is why a preliminary contract analysis is essential — it helps protect you from unpleasant consequences.
Reviewing a CPCV is a necessary precaution and a smart step, especially for foreigners buying from abroad. The document may contain hidden risks, such as:
Without legal review, such issues can easily be overlooked or misinterpreted, which may result in financial losses or complications when registering property.
Even a standard-looking CPCV may contain legal risks that are hard to spot without professional review. The most common include:
Legal review of the preliminary sale and purchase agreement allows you to detect such issues in time and correct them before the contract becomes binding and enforceable.
The CPCV review service includes a comprehensive legal analysis of the contract content, which covers:
We also provide a professional translation of the contract (if it is only in Portuguese), or at minimum a written explanation of the key provisions.
CPCV analysis is especially important if:
If you are buying from a private seller or construction company, it is especially important to check the preliminary agreement — this is the stage where the majority of risks are usually hidden.
The cost of analyzing a preliminary sale and purchase agreement (CPCV) depends on:
We can confirm the final cost only after reviewing the contract — we evaluate the scope of work before starting cooperation.
Yes, we take an individual approach in each case. Depending on the client’s needs, the service may include only review and recommendations or also clarifications of the CPCV content. We work in several languages and are ready to adjust the work format — for example, prepare a written summary, conduct consultations via video call, or meet with you at a convenient time.
Clients choose MoveToCascais thanks to our deep experience in real estate in Portugal and our professional legal approach. We know local laws, common schemes involving foreigners, and hidden wording that may create problems in the future.
Some services can be challenging to handle on your own. Trust our team of professionals to guide you through every step.
A CPCV (Contrato-Promessa de Compra e Venda) is a preliminary agreement in which the buyer and seller agree on key terms of the future deal — the price, deadline, and obligations of the parties. It secures the buyer’s interest and obligates the seller to sell the property under the stated conditions.
Agents and developers primarily represent their own interests. A legal CPCV analysis is an independent review of the terms aimed at protecting the buyer. We identify potential risks, hidden clauses, and advise on the best course of action.
The most common risks are vague wording, penalties for late payment, lack of guarantees regarding the transfer of the property, or hidden buyer obligations. Without analysis, it's easy to overlook clauses that may result in financial or legal issues.
The analysis is carried out by lawyers specializing in real estate transactions in Portugal. We work in Portuguese, English, Ukrainian, and Russian and always provide a clear explanation of the contract in a language you understand.
It depends on the volume and complexity of the documents. On average, the base review takes 1 to 3 business days. In urgent cases, faster analysis may be available.
Yes, if changes or clarifications are needed, especially if the contract has not yet been signed. We help propose reasonable changes and communicate with the seller or agent to agree on the revised terms.
We conduct a detailed review of the preliminary agreement, identify inconsistencies, risks, and potentially unfavorable terms for the buyer.
We assess the contract content for hidden obligations, ambiguous wording, penalty clauses, and other legal pitfalls.
We explain in plain language what each section of the agreement means. We help you understand the legal terminology and your obligations.
We prepare a list of suggested changes and edits to better protect the client’s interests and make the deal safer and more transparent.
We ensure that the CPCV agreement complies with Portuguese law and does not violate the buyer’s rights.
Make sure everything is written correctly and without hidden risks.
Our lawyers will analyze your CPCV and help you make an informed decision. Submit your request now — we’ll get in touch with you shortly.
If you have an in-person visit to the immigration service (AIMA) — for a visa, residence permit, or renewal — we will provide a lawyer to accompany you, ensuring that your interests are protected and taken into account.
We handle court cases of various categories: from immigration and civil to administrative. We protect our clients at every stage, carefully prepare documents, and represent your position in court.
If it is impossible to book an AIMA appointment through standard means, we submit an official court request to set a date. This is a legal way to speed up the process.
Received a refusal from the immigration service? We will prepare and file a legal complaint to challenge an unfair decision and defend your rights.