New Urban Planning Law comes into force: what changes · Bica

Housing

New Urban Planning Law comes into force: what changes

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.

Why it mattersIf you are planning to build or renovate a home, this new law mandates uniform procedures nationwide, which may speed up your project by eliminating some of the previous licensing hurdles and reducing municipal delays.

This update is from Bica

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

More on Housing

Housing

Porto notifies owners of vacant buildings

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.

RTP· 1h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Housing

Lease law: Landlords and tenants have different visions

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.

RTP· 1h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Housing

Livre says it was 'evident that Chega would support' the Government on the rental law revision

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.

Observador· 2h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Practical alerts

See all →

Media-reported alerts

Water pipe burst forces closure of several schools in Maia · Correio da Manhã · 3h ago
Free parking returns to parts of Portimão and Praia da Rocha · Portugal Resident · 3h ago
Storm Hanna loses intensity but is still expected to affect the Azores · SIC Notícias · 4h ago
Half of higher education vacancies in the interior remain unfilled · Correio da Manhã · 15h ago
October 2nd strike expected to affect schools, waste collection, and municipalities · Público · 19h ago

Live official alerts

Yellow rain warning for the Azores starting Thursday, until Saturday.
yellow warningIPMA· Azores· from Thu 22:00

See continuously updated official alerts live alerts →

About Bica

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.

More about Bica →

Feedback and corrections are welcome: hello@bica.now