Portugal approves new rules for properties trapped in inheritance disputes

The government has introduced a new regime allowing a single heir to trigger the sale of an inherited property after two years if beneficiaries cannot reach an agreement. Before an electronic auction can proceed, heirs have a six-month window to settle the dispute or conduct a private sale, and properties used as family homes are excluded unless the surviving spouse or partner consents. The legislation also establishes an executor role to manage estate distribution and introduces an arbitration framework to resolve conflicts.