Few heirs know this: even without your cousins' agreement, you can sell your share of the estate today — the "quinhão hereditário". You are not selling the house; you are selling your position as heir, with everything it carries.
How it works
The transfer is executed by deed in Portugal (the estate must be open and still undivided). The buyer — a co-heir or an outsider — steps into your place, including in the future division. Your co-heirs hold a right of first refusal: they must be notified of the planned sale and can buy at the same price.
What is a quinhão worth?
Less than the arithmetic fraction of the property's value: buyers discount the illiquidity, the wait for a division and the conflict risk — 30% to 50% discounts are common. With the new law shortening the horizon of co-ownership, shares should regain value; a rushed sale today can be a bad trade.
Taxes
The sale can trigger Portuguese capital gains tax, and buyers may face transfer taxes depending on the case. US persons should also map the IRS side (basis, gain, reporting). Model the numbers before signing.
Sell the share now or wait for the law?
- Need liquidity now and accept the discount → the quinhão is your exit;
- Can wait 12–24 months → the new procedure's amicable window should deliver full market value;
- Either way, notify the co-heirs properly: a sale that ignores their first-refusal right can be challenged.
HERDA compares your scenarios with real numbers — a personalised estate report within 72 hours.