The process of buying property in Portugal is set to become far easier as part of the governments simple plan strategy (“Plano Simplex”). These reforms are partly responsible for Portugal rising up the European Innovation Scoreboard to number seven, which places it firmly in the group of countries catching up. 

No longer will you need to sign the deeds (Escritura) in  the land registry office (Conservatoria) in the town in which you buy the property it will be possible to choose. 

They will no longer need to be presented by a lawyer, it will be sufficient to make a normal contract and have it verified by a lawyer, which will make the whole process faster and cheaper, also allowing estate agents to become more competitive.

A pilot scheme has been in operation in 19 localities including 16 town halls and 7 district capitals and will be nationwide by the end of the year.

http://www.perfectportugalproperty.co.uk