Garage conversion: do you need a permit in Portugal?

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

Turning a garage into living space needs a change-of-use filing at the council (comunicação prévia com prazo), and the plan must allow the new use. Inside works are exempt, but a new window or door on the outside needs a licence.

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Answer

Change-of-use filing (comunicação prévia com prazo) plus any works permit that applies

Inside works

Exempt if nothing changes outside and stability is not affected (art 6(1)(b))

Outside changes

A new opening or other exterior change is an alteration needing a licence, or prior communication where art 4 allows it

Change of use

Filed with a responsibility statement that the new use is allowed and the space is suitable (art 4(5), 62-B and 63)

After licensed works

If the works needed a licence or prior communication, the use is filed by prior communication instead (art 62-A)

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 4(5), 6(1)(b), 62-A and 62-B, 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