Development Finance for Portuguese Property Projects
Bridging Finance London arranges large property development loans for projects across Portugal.
With access to alternative lenders, private banks and private wealth, we secure competitive terms for corporate borrowers and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
Expert finance advice
tailored to you
Quality service
Fast, friendly and professional service.
Lender Choice
Over 250 Banks, Hedge Funds, Family Offices & more.
Experience
Over 15 years of specialist finance broking.
Bespoke Lending
Finance tailored specifically to meet your needs.
How Does Development Finance Work in Portugal
Portuguese development finance offers more flexibility than standard bank loans. We work with specialist lenders who understand property development and take a practical view of your project.
Rather than getting hung up on past accounts and trading history like traditional banks, these lenders look at what matters – your project’s potential and its expected value once complete.
Development funding releases money in stages.
You’ll receive your first payment to secure the land or property. After that, the money follows your build schedule, with new funds released as you hit agreed milestones in the construction.
This staged approach means you’ve got reliable cash flow through every phase of development. Your builder starts the foundations, you get the next payment. They complete the structure, another payment arrives. This continues right through to completion.
Loan Repayment
In Portugal, you’ve got two main ways to repay your development loan: selling your completed properties or refinancing the project.
For residential developments, this means selling your finished units to buyers.
Many developers in Portugal secure some pre-sales before construction begins – it’s a smart move that strengthens your loan application and can help you start paying back the loan as sales complete.
Building a hotel, shops or offices? Long-term commercial mortgage refinancing often makes more sense here. The rental income from these properties supports your new mortgage payments.
We’ll work with you to plan the best repayment strategy from day one.
In fact, we often arrange preliminary refinancing terms with selected lenders before you even break ground. This gives you clarity on your exit options and helps avoid any last-minute surprises.
How We Help Secure Your Development Finance
As experienced finance brokers, we do much more than connect you with lenders in Portugal.
Our expertise in deal structuring means we’ll create the optimal borrowing structure for your development through SPVs, ensuring tax efficiency and strong commercial viability.
Taking on a major development? We can bring in extra funding through mezzanine finance or joint venture partnerships when needed.
Our extensive network includes over 250 active lenders – from private banks in London and across Europe to specialist development lenders, family offices and alternative funders. These solid relationships help us find you the right finance package.
We understand both the Portuguese market and international lending requirements.
Whether you’re developing apartments in Porto, holiday homes in the Algarve, or commercial property in Lisbon, we’ll match you with lenders who understand your vision and can deliver the funding you need.
By combining local market knowledge with international lending expertise, we help streamline what can often be a complex process in Portugal. Our role is to make securing development finance straightforward, allowing you to focus on what you do best – delivering successful projects.
Risk Management and Local Expertise
We look after your interests at every step when developing in Portugal.
We’ll negotiate loan terms that work in your favour and structure your stage payments to keep your cash flow healthy. This is particularly important in Portugal, where construction schedules and payment timelines can differ from what you might be used to.
Planning to transfer funds between currencies? We can set up currency hedging to protect you from exchange rate changes between sterling and euros.
Having handled numerous developments across Portugal, we understand common challenges like dealing with local authorities, managing contractors and navigating legal requirements.
We’ll help you spot potential issues early and find practical solutions.
Lending Parameters
To get the best terms for your Portuguese development loan, you’ll need to meet certain requirements.
You should have planning permission sorted, clear property title and your professional team lined up. Your company structure needs to show a clean history and clear ownership details.
We arrange loans starting from €5,000,000, with no upper cap – many of our clients borrow over €10 million for larger Portuguese projects.
How Our Lending Works
Getting finance for your Portuguese development project becomes straightforward with our help.
We start with a chat about your project – what you’re building, when you need the money, and your overall timeline. Then we tap into our network of trusted lenders to find the right match and negotiate the best possible terms.
Once we’ve secured strong offers, we’ll help set up the deal through your company or SPV.
The money comes to you in stages that match your build schedule. As you hit construction milestones, you can draw down the next portion of your loan.
This approach works particularly well in Portugal, where careful cash flow management is key to successful development.
We’ve helped fund numerous Portuguese developments, from luxury villas in the Algarve to apartment blocks in Lisbon. Our experience means we understand what lenders look for and how to present your project in the best light.
Project Types We Finance
Portuguese property development presents excellent opportunities across various sectors.
Here’s how our lending solutions support some of them:
Premium Residential
Portugal’s luxury housing market continues to attract international buyers, especially in prime areas like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.
High-end apartment developments with premium features and facilities consistently achieve strong sales, particularly when they offer the lifestyle that discerning buyers expect.
Villa Projects
Both single luxury villas and multiple villa developments perform well, especially in the Algarve and Silver Coast.
These projects appeal to international buyers seeking holiday homes or investment properties. We support everything from boutique villa collections to larger private communities.
Hotel & Resorts
With Portugal’s thriving tourism sector, hotel development offers strong potential.
Whether you’re planning a boutique hotel in Porto or a resort in the Algarve, we arrange finance for new builds and conversions alike.
Apart-Hotel Schemes
Apart-hotels work particularly well in Portugal’s tourist hotspots, combining the best of residential and hotel elements.
These schemes often achieve premium rates and steady occupancy. We’ll arrange funding that considers both construction and operational needs.
Retail
From local shopping centres to major retail destinations, Portugal offers good development opportunities.
Our lenders support various retail projects, with a strong focus on location, tenant mix and market demand.
Mixed-Use Projects
Combined developments often succeed in prime Portuguese locations. Think shops below apartments or hotels with integrated facilities.
We specialise in arranging complex funding for these multi-purpose schemes.
Commercial Offices
Office development shows strong potential in key Portuguese business areas.
Whether you’re creating modern workspaces or converting existing buildings, we’ll arrange finance that fits your timeline.
Private Rented Sector (PRS)
Portugal’s rental market needs quality PRS developments, particularly in Lisbon and Porto.
We arrange funding packages that suit build-to-rent projects, accounting for longer stabilisation periods and ongoing income.
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
Student housing presents good opportunities near Portugal’s major universities.
With growing international student numbers and limited quality accommodation, well-located PBSA schemes can deliver strong returns. Our lenders know this sector well, offering terms that work with academic calendars and phased letting patterns.
We help finance both new builds and conversions, from small developments to large student communities.
Your Trusted Partner
Getting Started
Starting your Portuguese development project needs thorough groundwork.
You’ll want to share your development plans, including detailed costs and build schedules. We’ll also need information about your company – its structure and recent accounts – to match you with the right lenders.
Before we begin, it’s worth gathering:
- Your development appraisal
- Construction cost breakdown
- Planning permissions
- Project timeline
- Company/SPV documents
- Recent financial statements
Our initial review spots potential issues early on, so we can sort them out quickly and keep your application moving forward. Having handled numerous Portuguese developments, we know what lenders look for and how to present your project effectively.
We understand the Portuguese market’s unique aspects, from planning requirements to construction practices. This knowledge helps us anticipate questions lenders might ask and prepare strong responses in advance.
Ready to discuss your Portuguese development plans? Let’s arrange a conversation to explore your options.
Why Choose Bridging Finance London
Our track record comes from combining extensive market insights with solid banking connections.
You’ll work directly with experienced advisers who understand both Portuguese property and international finance.
We can help get your project underway quickly, often securing approval within 3-6 weeks. Our strong relationships with lenders who know the Portuguese market mean faster decisions and better terms.
We’ve helped fund developments across Portugal – from apartment blocks in Lisbon to luxury villas in the Algarve and commercial projects in Porto. This experience means we understand local market dynamics and can anticipate potential challenges before they arise.
Get Started – Call 020 3488 5706 for your free consultation.
