Here's more about some typical utility payments:
1. Property tax (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis - IMI): This is an annual property tax that is levied on property owners in Portugal. The amount of tax depends on the market value of the property and the rates set by the municipality. Each municipality has its own IMI tax rates. This tax is usually paid annually during the first quarter of the year. The tax calculation is based on the cadastral value of the real estate and the applicable tax rate.
2. Utility tax (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis - IMT): This is a one-time tax that is levied on the purchase of real estate. The amount of tax depends on the cost of real estate and may differ for residents and non-residents. It is calculated as a percentage of the value of the property and paid at the conclusion of the purchase transaction.
3. Utility Charges (Taxas Municipal): These are the various fees that municipalities charge for providing utilities and maintaining infrastructure. These fees include, for example, fees for garbage collection, water supply, sewerage, cleaning of public areas, as well as other utilities. The size and manner in which utility charges are calculated may vary depending on the municipality.
4. Regional taxes (Taxas Regionais): Additional regional taxes or fees may be imposed in some regions of Portugal. These taxes or fees are aimed at supporting the development of regional infrastructure and social programs. The size and nature of these taxes may vary by region.
Utility bills in Portugal are usually determined by the municipality and can vary in different parts of the country. To find out the exact amounts and procedures for paying utility bills, it is recommended that you contact your local authority or specialist lawyers or estate agents who may provide detailed advice according to the specific circumstances of your property and location.
Importantly, tax and utility rates may vary over time depending on legislation and policy decisions. It is therefore recommended to update information regularly and seek advice from professionals to keep up to date with the current utility charges in Portugal.
To conclude a contract for utilities such as electricity, gas and water in Portugal, you should follow these steps:
1. Choose a service provider: Explore the various companies providing utilities in your area. In Portugal, the most common electricity suppliers are EDP, Iberdrola, Galp Energia, and for gas, Galp Energia, EDP, Repsol. For water supply, municipalities are usually responsible for providing services.
2. Contact the selected provider: Contact the selected service provider company and find out what documents and information they require to enter into a contract. They can ask you to provide your personal details, including identification documents such as a passport or ID card, as well as proof of address of residence.
3. Prepare the necessary documents: Collect all the necessary documents to provide them to the service provider. This could be your passport or ID, rental or home ownership contract, and any other required documents specified by the company.
4. Contract: After providing all the necessary documents and information, you will be offered to conclude a contract for utilities. Carefully read the terms of the contract, including the cost of services, terms, methods of payment, as well as the terms of termination of the contract. If you have questions, feel free to ask them to your company representative.
5. Get meters and instructions: Once contracted, the service provider will install the necessary meters (e.g. for electricity and gas) and provide you with instructions on how to use them, as well as information on rates and payment.
Please note that the contracting procedure may vary slightly depending on the specific supplier and municipality. It is recommended that you contact the selected service provider directly for details on the contracting process and specific requirements.
6. Pay for utilities: Once the contract is concluded, you will be billed for utilities. There are various payment methods, including bank transfer, online payments, or automatic debits. Check with your service provider to see which payment methods are available.
7. Check accounts and consumption regularly: Periodically check the accounts you receive and check them against the actual consumption of services. If you have any discrepancies or questions, please contact Service Provider Support.
It is important to remember that the procedure for concluding a contract for utilities may differ slightly depending on the region and specific conditions. It is recommended that you contact your local authority or specialist property consultants for detailed information and advice relevant to your situation.