Facade painting: do you need a permit in Portugal?

Independent site: we are not a public authority, and this is not legal or tax advice.

Repainting a facade in the same colour and material is conservation and exempt. A different colour counts as an alteration, because the law lists the colour of exterior finishes, and needs a licence unless art 4 allows prior communication.

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Answer

Exempt if the facade is kept as built; a new colour is an alteration

Same colour

Repainting, repair and cleaning to keep the building as it was are conservation (art 2(f))

New colour or material

An alteration includes changing the nature and colour of exterior finishes, doors and windows (art 2(d))

Plans and colour rules

Municipal rules may set colour and aesthetic requirements (art 3(2)(b))

Before you start

Tell the council at least 5 days before work begins, even for exempt work (art 80-A).

Listed buildings

Conservation of a listed building needs a licence unless the heritage authority has given a favourable opinion (art 4(2)(d) and 6(1)(k)).

Council rules

Your council can add detail in its own building regulation where the law lets it, so ask before you start.

Legal basis

RJUE art 2(d) and (f), 6(1)(a) and 4(2)(c), RJUE (Decreto-Lei 555/99) as republished in the Annex of Decreto-Lei 108/2026

Sources

data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/108/2026/05/29/p/dre/pt/pdf

Checked

2026-11-05