Sintra has 90 areas of illegal origin and requests the extension of the law to legalize them
The Sintra municipality has created a dedicated department to manage 90 areas of illegal origin (AUGI), which house approximately 80,000 residents. The local government is calling for an extension of the current legalization law and has designated the urban reconversion of these areas as a mandate priority.
Why it matters
If you live in one of these 90 areas in Sintra, your property's legal status and access to municipal infrastructure remain tied to the future of these reconversion projects and the possible extension of the national legalization law.
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.
The Sintra City Council has written to the management of Volta, the entity responsible for waste collection, requesting increased surveillance in affected areas or the implementation of anti-vandalism measures for waste containers.
The Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, stated that the law provides mechanisms to address work absences caused by extreme weather, while appealing for employer flexibility and solidarity. He reiterated the recommendation that companies adopt telework whenever possible during this period of 'deep exception'.
The government declared an alert situation across the entire mainland territory for Wednesday 11 November 2026, imposing exceptional measures such as the closure of public, private, and social sector educational establishments and non-essential public services. While the decree does not explicitly order private businesses to close or create a special justified-absence regime, the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, called for telework wherever possible and stated that parents have the right to stay home with minors. Legal experts generally recommend that employers accept justifications and pay the day, including meal allowances, when telework is not possible, pointing to the constitutional right to work in health and safety conditions. However, unions like CGTP argue that the decree merely appeals to employer comprehension without legally guaranteeing paid justified absences for travel difficulties or childcare due to school closures, demanding formal protection so workers suffer no pay cuts.