Tenants and landlords hold opposing views on the current rental legislation. Tenants argue the framework fuels real estate speculation, while property owners consider it a positive, albeit modest, step.
Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.
No signup. No data collected. No app download. Nothing to pay.
Read today’s briefing
The new Legal Regime for Urbanization and Building (RJUE), introduced via Decree-Law no. 108/2026, takes effect today, October 1, 2026. The legislation aims to standardize licensing procedures across all municipalities and reduce discretionary power by removing several authorization requirements previously demanded by local councils for construction and renovation projects.
Porto City Council has identified over 6,000 vacant buildings and is sending formal notifications to owners requiring them to renovate the properties and put them on the housing market. Failure to act will result in a significant increase in the IMI (municipal property tax) rate for these properties.
The government's bill to amend the urban rental regime was approved in general terms on Wednesday, following an agreement between the PSD and Chega to introduce future changes during the specialty phase. Proposed adjustments include limiting advanced payments and security deposits, protecting elderly tenants with pre-1990 contracts, reinforcing the housing emergency fund, and distinguishing between abuse/incapacity in eviction processes. The initial government text, still subject to these specialty amendments, proposes reducing the threshold for initiating eviction proceedings to two months of unpaid rent.