Do I need a permit to renovate the interior of my house?

It depends. If the work doesn't touch the exterior (facade, roof) or the building's stability, it's exempt from both a permit (licença) and prior notification (comunicação prévia) (RJUE art. 6.º n.º 1 al. b)). If it affects the structure, it's still exempt, but requires a structural report and a liability statement from a qualified professional.

What is prior notification (comunicação prévia)?

It's a declaration that, once correctly filed with all the required elements, lets you proceed with the works after paying the fees due and notifying the start of works, without needing a formal approval act from the council (RJUE art. 34.º n.º 2).

What is tacit approval (deferimento tácito)?

It's when the council's silence, within the maximum legal deadlines, counts as approval. It happens at several points under the new regime - for example, in approving the architecture project or deciding on a permit request.

What's the fine for building without a permit?

It can reach €200,000 for individuals (pessoas singulares) and €450,000 for companies (pessoas coletivas), for works without a permit or that don't match the approved project, permit, or prior notification (RJUE art. 98.º).

What changes on 3 August 2026?

The local council will check less before the works start and more afterwards - more prior notification, more tacit approval (silence counting as approval), and more responsibility for whoever submits the paperwork and whoever commissions the works. Municipal inspection stays in place: the council doesn't stop checking, it checks less before and more after.

Do I need a permit to build a wall?

A wall up to 1.8 m tall that doesn't border a public road is, as a rule, exempt from a permit (RJUE art. 6.º-A n.º 1 al. b)); a retaining wall can go up to 2 m. Above these limits, or bordering a public road, the general permit regime applies.

Can the project owner (dono de obra) be held liable for illegal works?

Yes. The new regime extends solidary liability to promoters and project owners (donos de obra), in addition to contractors and site managers, when the works breach the conditions of the permit, prior notification, or prior information (RJUE art. 100.º-A n.º 3). That's why choosing and vetting your contractor has become even more critical.

FREE TOOL

Which permit does your project need?

Answer 3 questions and find out if your building project likely requires a permit (licença), prior notification (comunicação prévia), or is exempt — under Portugal's new construction licensing regime (DL 108/2026, in force from 3 August 2026). Indicative, free result.

What kind of building project is this?

NEW RJUE 2026

What changes in building licensing

From 3 August 2026, Portugal's new construction licensing regime (RJUE, republished by Decreto-Lei 108/2026) enters into force. The system becomes faster: more works become exempt or only require prior notification (comunicação prévia), and municipal silence within the legal deadlines can count as tacit approval (deferimento tácito).

The trade-off is more responsibility on your side. Municipal oversight doesn't disappear — it shifts to after the works start, and the law extends solidary liability to the owner of the works (dono de obra) when the project breaches the terms of the permit or prior notification.

Before you sign anything, also confirm the contractor holds a valid IMPIC licence or certificate: check an IMPIC licence by NIF.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to renovate the interior of my house?: It depends. If the work doesn't touch the exterior (facade, roof) or the building's stability, it's exempt from both a permit (licença) and prior notification (comunicação prévia) (RJUE art. 6.º n.º 1 al. b)). If it affects the structure, it's still exempt, but requires a structural report and a liability statement from a qualified professional.
What is prior notification (comunicação prévia)?: It's a declaration that, once correctly filed with all the required elements, lets you proceed with the works after paying the fees due and notifying the start of works, without needing a formal approval act from the council (RJUE art. 34.º n.º 2).
What is tacit approval (deferimento tácito)?: It's when the council's silence, within the maximum legal deadlines, counts as approval. It happens at several points under the new regime - for example, in approving the architecture project or deciding on a permit request.
What's the fine for building without a permit?: It can reach €200,000 for individuals (pessoas singulares) and €450,000 for companies (pessoas coletivas), for works without a permit or that don't match the approved project, permit, or prior notification (RJUE art. 98.º).
What changes on 3 August 2026?: The local council will check less before the works start and more afterwards - more prior notification, more tacit approval (silence counting as approval), and more responsibility for whoever submits the paperwork and whoever commissions the works. Municipal inspection stays in place: the council doesn't stop checking, it checks less before and more after.
Do I need a permit to build a wall?: A wall up to 1.8 m tall that doesn't border a public road is, as a rule, exempt from a permit (RJUE art. 6.º-A n.º 1 al. b)); a retaining wall can go up to 2 m. Above these limits, or bordering a public road, the general permit regime applies.
Can the project owner (dono de obra) be held liable for illegal works?: Yes. The new regime extends solidary liability to promoters and project owners (donos de obra), in addition to contractors and site managers, when the works breach the conditions of the permit, prior notification, or prior information (RJUE art. 100.º-A n.º 3). That's why choosing and vetting your contractor has become even more critical.

The system got faster. The responsibility for choosing the right contractor stayed with you.

Run a full check before signing: insolvencies, court cases, debts, licences and director history in seconds.

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