Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 1962, Vale do Lobo was the first development in the Algarve and is today the largest luxury resort of its kind in Portugal operated by the same company. With a total area of 450 hectares and approximately 1,500 residential and holiday properties, Vale do Lobo Algarve is a self-contained community offering endless facilities and services in a unique location.

Vale do Lobo Algarve guarantees a complete resort experience all harnessed in one luxury destination: Property Owners at Vale do Lobo benefit from everything they need right at their fingertips, from banking, post office and grocery shopping through to boutiques, 15 restaurants - boasting diverse international cuisine - unbeatable night life, a rich year-round events calendar, 2km of golden beach and some of Europe’s finest sporting facilities.

Vale do Lobo Algarve offers a community spirit unlike any other. From painting classes and cocktail parties to bridge evenings, Portuguese lessons and activities
throughout the year.

Vale do Lobo Algarve is located just 20 minutes from Faro International Airport, which is serviced by direct flights from most major European cities. In only a few hours of leaving your home you can expect to be standing outside a beautiful villa, soaking up the Algarve’s sunshine, making it an incredibly convenient and attractive option, even for weekend visits.

The Algarve enjoys almost year-round sunshine with the added benefit of cooling Atlantic breezes, without suffering from the unbearable heat of other traditional destinations. This is a special advantage for golfers as many holes of our two championship courses are located alongside the coast and during the Summer months these cooling breezes are very welcoming.

Vale do Lobo Algarve operates a strict policy of low density development in sympathy with the natural surroundings of the resort and as such villas, facilities and golf courses nestle harmoniously along a stunning natural backdrop, including a protected wildlife reserve.

Properties at Vale do Lobo Algarve are renowned for their excellent return on investment and the resort boasts some of the last remaining beach-side locations in Europe, keeping it high in demand. Add in the quality and continual improvement and innovation to facilities and services and the final result is one beyond compare.

Vale do Lobo Algarve promotes a family-oriented community, operating 24-hour security vigilance through specially trained patrols and CCTV. Property Owners and visitors can also enjoy their time peacefully in the resort with 24-hour medical care and a host of wellness facilities.

Vale do Lobo Algarve is the largest resort of its kind in Portugal, covering an area of approximately 450 hectares.

Vale do Lobo offers a diverse range of luxury homes to suit all budgets and requirements, from apartments and semi-detached villas to plots for custom built villas. There are currently approximately 1,500 homes in the resort with plans for 500 more.

Sizes range across the resort from 50m² (studio apartment) to 4460m² (plots in Oceano Clube area) The houses built on plots in Oceano Clube can vary between 225m²-350m² depending on which plot, whereas at Vale Real they vary between 340m² – 500m².

Vale do Lobo Algarve is proud of its exceptional security procedures and safety measures. The resort operates round-the-clock security patrols whilst a closed circuit TV system also surveys the main areas of the resort. Security staff are trained to deal with every eventuality, including combat and intensive first-aid courses. Vale do Lobo’s residential community also liaise closely with management to ensure year-round vigilance.

We have noted an average increase of 15% between 2006 to 2011 of which years 2009 & 2010 had no increase recorded.

After choosing a property, a reservation agreement is signed and then secured with a small deposit while the promissory contract is prepared by Vale do Lobo’s legal department and your solicitor. Completion is then scheduled to be signed in front of an official notary.

1. Meet with your Real Estate Consultant

The first step for each client is to meet with one of the team of experienced real estate consultants, who can advise on financial, legal and other aspects of building in Portugal with which you may not be familiar. This is the time to discuss your hopes, tastes, requirements and budget.

2. Tour of The Resort

Taking these into account, the real estate consultant will tour you around the different areas and show you the options within Vale do Lobo so you can decide which could potentially suit you and your family.

3. Designing your home (Applicable only to plots with construction)

Upon reserving the plot of your choice, you and your real estate consultant will begin to discuss design with one of the resort’s design architects. The architect will show you styles and elements of existing properties to discover your personal tastes, and propose a design which takes best advantage of your chosen plot, in the style you prefer and integrating elements that you have chosen from existing properties or models.

4. Costings (Applicable only to plots with construction)

There follows the process of integrating your feedback and getting the design just right, upon which the final design is quoted for by the construction department.

5. Agreeing the contract

Upon your approval of the costing, a contract is signed. At this point you will meet a representative of the Proprietors’ Club, to discuss the resort benefits you will enjoy as a property owner and the property management services available to you.

6. Obtaining your deeds

Meanwhile, the resort’s legal department obtains the property deeds from the local council, and the licensing department makes and submits technical drawings to obtain the construction license.

7. Construction begins

Next, the construction department selects the appropriate builder from the contractors with which it habitually works, a Vale do Lobo project manager is assigned to your project, and building commences. At different phases throughout the building process you will choose finishes, with the help of your project manager.

8. Keys to your home

Upon completion of building, landscaping and interior decoration, if requested, the villa is officially handed over from Vale do Lobo to you and your dream becomes a reality…

Yes, Caixa Geral de Depósitos – the largest bank in Portugal - is one of Vale do Lobo’s partners and offers excellent conditions and options when financing property purchases within the resort.

In Portugal, the purchase of a property implies a property transfer tax called IMT which for any existing property over 500.000 Euros will be rated at 6%. Plots of land are rated at 6.5% and VAT is charged on construction costs.

IMI is the yearly tax on property in force in Portugal. This is charged at between 0.4% and 0.7% depending on the value of the property and ownership.

Portugal still remains a place where it is possible to buy a property using an offshore company. In 2003 the Portuguese government blacklisted and thus penalized most offshore tax jurisdictions.

However there are still territories which are not on the Portuguese black list and by purchasing a property in Portugal through a properly structured corporate vehicle incorporated in one of these locations, it is possible to avoid the penalties on offshore companies. Delaware and Malta are currently the most popular white listed jurisdictions for holding property.

These arrangements may bring with them other benefits such as:

• The ability to sell the property in the future without the buyer having to pay Real Estate
• Transfer tax
• Avoidance of Portuguese capital gains tax on re-sale
• Avoidance of donations tax or inheritance tax
• Avoidance of the deemed benefits provisions in U.K. law

However as taxes and the manner in which they are applied change frequently, specialist advice should always be taken before entering into any arrangements.

When buying a property in Portugal your investment expenses can amount up to 10% of purchase price broken down as follows:

• Lawyers fees: 0.5% - 1% of property transaction
• Notary, registration and or mortgage stamp duty 1%-3%

Yes, Vale do Lobo Algarve has a successful track record with re-sales and its team will do its best to promote and sell your property for you.

Many property owners at Vale do Lobo are not in residence all year round. By joining the Proprietors’ Club, you will not only benefit from the privileges and discounts offered at the resort’s many onsite facilities, but you will also have access to a range of exclusive services through the Vale do Lobo Proprietors’ Club, including management and maintenance of your home.

Yes, the Vale do Lobo Tourism Department will organize rental of your property on your behalf providing you and the guests in your property with a number of exclusive services. Properties in Vale do Lobo rent well throughout the year, attracting both holidaymakers and the golfing market. We operate strict quality control and periodical monitoring to ensure your property is kept in the best condition and you maximise your rental potential.

Not at all, but using Vale do Lobo’s services will certainly make your life much easier as only one contact is required through our Proprietor’s Club or the 24-hour Resort Reception, and service is given to the very highest standard.

The Vale do Lobo Resort Service Charges cover a number of services, including resort security and surveillance, daily door-to-door collection of domestic refuse and reception facilities. This applies to all Property Owners. In addition, condominium fees are also applicable to property owners purchasing apartments.

Approximate costs are:

Resort Service Charges
2 bedroom apartment or townhouse	€ 1200 per year
3 bedroom detached villa	€ 1800 per year

Resort Service Charges
Condominium Fees (average)	€ 1500 per year

(Condominium fees are based on the m2 area of the property).

Property Owners may wish to join the Proprietors’ Club – which is exclusively for Vale do Lobo proprietors and which offers many advantages, resort discounts and year-round activities to its members in addition to a comprehensive management service tailored to each client and property. This includes general management services such as; payment of bills and preparation and sending of accounts on a monthly basis, access to Housekeeping, garden pool and/or Jacuzzi maintenance services and other property related assistance, such as the installation and monitoring of alarm systems. These services depend largely on individual requirements and the services are optional although certainly recommended.

Members are issued with Courtesy Cards (two per membership) which provide discounts at the many facilities throughout the Resort; Golf Club, Wellness Centre, Tennis Academy, Kids Club as well at the resorts diverse range of restaurants, bars and shops.

Proprietors’ Club members also have privileges, or complimentary services, such as access to the Club of Clubs – a luxury members’ lounge at Parque do Golfe – Funzone, use of the internal circuit bus, of the swimming pools at the Praça and the Tennis Academy and of the Vale do Lobo cash card system. Up to six Family cards per year provide similar benefits to family members.

Nationalities of Property Owners – updated 2011

British	59%
Portuguese	13%
German	10%
Irish	6%
Dutch	6%
Others	6%

8% Permanent Residents

Approximately 7% of our Property Owners live in the resort year-round, others choosing to spend long periods of time here, some just for holidays and others purchasing purely for rental investment. The resort’s community of residents is very friendly and welcoming with a number of exclusive activities and events taking place year-round.

Golf Memberships valid for both Ocean and Royal golf courses are available to purchase, being property Owners have direct admittance to the club while other candidates members not. Memberships are valid for 5 years with the possibility to renew for additional periods of time.

Golf members have reserved tee times available which can be used for themselves and their guests by booking up to 3 months in advance.

Property Owners also are entitled to special discounts in rentals, golf lessons and other services provided by the club.

Many people are attracted to becoming a Golf Club member at Vale do Lobo to enjoy the unique, friendly atmosphere created by the Vale do Lobo Golf Club. Members can participate in daily competitions played on both courses throughout the month.

Team competitions are organised every Saturday on both of Vale do Lobo’s golf courses, where a relaxed but competitive environment is enjoyed by members and their guests as they spend the day on two of the most beautiful golf courses in Europe, followed by social drinks in the relaxing atmosphere of the Clubhouse. Single competitions are also organised during the week. Regular social functions and daily club competitions also contribute to making the Vale do Lobo Golf Club
a rewarding place to take golf membership in the Algarve.

Yes, The Kangaroo Club caters for children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years and is located at the beach-side Praça complex along with mini-golf and children’s swimming-pools. Funzone, located at Parque do Golfe offers the latest gaming consoles for the over 12’s.
A number of activities are organized throughout the year including football camps, tennis and golf, further information for which can be obtained from the Resort Reception.

Yes, you will have access through the Praça to Vale do Lobo’s 2km stretch of beach with sunbeds, sunshades and surveillance throughout the summer.

From the Kangaroo Club and mini-golf through to water sports, live music and special themed dinners, Vale do Lobo operates an extensive array of activities for all the family to enjoy daily, particularly in the summer months.

TheWellness Centre – including state-of-the-art Fitness Centre and the soothing Royal Spa, Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy – the largest in Portugal with 14 courts – gym and swimming-pools,– Vale do Lobo Shopping with a number of boutiques, a newsagent, and an art gallery, 24- hours.

Resort Reception, a round-the-clock Medical Centre the complimentary internal circuit bus which carries you around the resort, and unrivalled security.

15 restaurants and bars are available at Vale do Lobo; some offering gourmet cuisine and intimate settings with others providing the perfect place to enjoy a family meal. Dishes range from Oriental or Italian to seafood or a steakhouse. Special holiday menus with entertainment are also available throughout the summer months.

Vale do Lobo ensures there is plenty to keep you entertained, including live outdoor concerts and entertainment at the Praça.

Babysitters are available through the main Resort Reception if you are planning to dance into the early hours.

You also do not need to worry about driving as the internal circuit bus can take you to and from your property to the resort’s facilities.

The Royal Spa offers a variety of soothing and luxurious treatments to cater to diverse skin conditions, relaxation or just some well earned pampering. Its tranquil Oriental-inspired surroundings offer a haven from the stresses of the outside world. Alternative therapies and the latest technologies are all available, including gift packages and sports massages.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is of high importance at Vale do Lobo and the Fitness Centre offers a range of the latest equipment, personal trainers, social and fitness classes and of course expert guidance and monitoring. It also works in conjunction with the Vale do Lobo Medical Centre to ensure you are keeping fit safely and in tune with your body’s requirements.

The Vale do Lobo Medical Centre works round the clock and offers a special house call service. It also has direct access to emergency services. The team there cover general practitioner consultancy as well as a host of specialist areas, such as maternity, cardiology, dentistry and dermatology , amongst others. The Medical Centre also provides information on staying healthy and a number of handy holiday check-ups.