If the new law runs its course and the family fails to agree during the amicable window, the property ends up in a public electronic auction. Understanding the mechanism is essential — whether you want to avoid that outcome or exercise your rights within it.
How e-leilões works
The e-leilões platform concentrates Portugal's judicial sales: thousands of properties a year, online bidding over roughly two weeks, an opening value set from the expert valuation, automatic increments. Anyone registered can bid — from any country.
What the new law adds
- The property only reaches auction after a failed 6-month amicable window and an independent valuation;
- At the close, co-heirs hold the family buy-back right (remição): keep the property at the final price, displacing the best third-party bidder;
- The proceeds are distributed among heirs according to their shares.
Why the auction is rarely the family's best deal
Auctions attract discount hunters; the hammer price often lands below market, and fees and commissions come out of the pot. Selling by agreement during the amicable window — at market price — almost always leaves every heir better off.
If the auction becomes unavoidable
- Watch for the announcement — it appears on e-leilões, not in your mailbox abroad;
- Prepare the buy-back in advance (family decision made, financing ready);
- Document everything: a questionable valuation is challenged within the deadlines, not after.
HERDA's Vigia monitors e-leilões, the Citius court portal and the official gazette, and alerts you in English the day your estate appears.