Mortgage broker in the Algarve — English-speaking, no fees
I'm Diogo Almeida, a mortgage broker (tied credit intermediary, authorised by the Bank of Portugal) based in Quarteira, in the heart of the Algarve. I help residents, expats and non-residents finance property from Lagos to Tavira — comparing proposals from 10 Portuguese banks and handling the entire process in English, at no cost to you.
Diogo Almeida — Tied credit intermediary, Decisão Ordenada Lda, Bank of Portugal registration no. 0006056.
I compare proposals from 10 banks and 2 lenders for you. My service is free of charge.
What does a mortgage broker in Portugal actually do?
In Portugal, a regulated credit intermediary presents your application to several banks at once, negotiates the spread, insurance and conditions on your behalf, and manages the paperwork from pre-approval to completion. Instead of walking into one branch and accepting whatever that bank offers, you see real proposals side by side — interest rate, spread, APRC (TAEG), monthly payment and required insurance — and choose the best one.
And it costs you nothing. Tied credit intermediaries are remunerated by the banks under Portuguese regulation (Decreto-Lei 81-C/2017), so you get the comparison, the negotiation and the guidance free of charge. My registration (no. 0006056) can be verified on the Bank of Portugal's public register.
Who I help in the Algarve
- Expats living in Portugal — residents with local or foreign income, buying a main home or relocating within the Algarve;
- Non-residents — buyers from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the US, Canada and beyond, financing a holiday home or investment property (typically up to 80% LTV — see the full non-resident mortgage guide);
- Portuguese emigrants — returning home or buying for the future;
- Owners refinancing — transferring an existing mortgage to cut the spread and monthly payment.
Where I work
My office is in Quarteira (Proa Mar Building, Av. de Ceuta nº 3 Store B), minutes from Vilamoura. I regularly help buyers in Vilamoura, Quarteira, Almancil, Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira, Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Lagoa, Portimão, Alvor, Lagos and across the whole Algarve — and, remotely, anywhere in Portugal. Meetings can be in person, by phone or by video call, in English or Portuguese.
Request your free assessment
No fees, no obligation. Reply within 24 business hours.
How the process works
- Free assessment — a short conversation about your plans, income and the property. You get a clear answer on feasibility within 2–3 business days.
- Pre-approval — I prepare your file (NIF, documents, income evidence) and obtain a decision in principle, so you can make offers with confidence.
- Bank comparison — proposals from several banks side by side: rate, spread, APRC, payment, life and home insurance.
- Valuation & approval — the bank values the property; I coordinate every step and keep you updated.
- Completion — signing at the notary, in person or by power of attorney. I'm there until the keys are yours.
Fixed, variable or mixed rate?
Portuguese mortgages can be variable (Euribor 6M/12M + spread), fixed, or mixed (fixed for the first years, variable after). Which is best depends on your horizon and appetite for payment variation — the honest answer comes from comparing real proposals, especially the APRC. I explain the trade-offs in plain English before you decide. See also the guide on Euribor, spread and rate types (PT).
Costs to budget for
Beyond your down payment, allow roughly 7%–10% of the purchase price for IMT (property transfer tax), Stamp Duty, notary and registration fees, valuation and bank charges. I calculate the exact figures for your specific purchase before you commit — no surprises at the notary. Details in the taxes and costs guide (PT).
What clients say
"We worked with Diogo last year when purchasing our home in Lagos. He is very knowledgeable, professional and most of all personable. He has reached out periodically to check on us. Highly recommend!"
"Diogo was an absolute Godsend, who worked tirelessly to navigate us through a very complex process while researching and fighting to deliver the most competitive mortgage and insurance rates. We highly recommend him."
"From our first conversation to completion, Diogo made the whole process effortless and stress-free. Thanks to his hard work I secured a fantastic mortgage deal. I would highly recommend him."
Frequently asked questions
Nothing. Tied credit intermediaries are remunerated by the banks, so my service is free for you — this is the standard, regulated model in Portugal.
Yes — typically up to 80% of the lower of price and valuation, depending on profile, income and property purpose.
No. Everything can be handled remotely in English, and completion can be done by power of attorney.
Feasibility in 2–3 business days; a full process from application to completion usually runs over several weeks, depending on the bank and documentation.
Diogo Almeida — Tied credit intermediary, Decisão Ordenada Lda, Bank of Portugal registration no. 0006056.
Office in Quarteira, Algarve. In person or fully remote, in English.
"From our first conversation to completion, Diogo made the whole process effortless and stress-free. I would highly recommend him."
Adam O'Neil — Non-resident mortgage
Request your free assessment
No fees, no obligation. Reply within 24 business hours.