New window or door opening: do you need a permit in Portugal?

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

Opening a new window or door in a facade changes its look, so it is an alteration and is not exempt. It needs a licence, or prior communication where art 4 allows it.

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Answer

Not exempt: licence, or prior communication in the cases art 4 lists

Why

An alteration changes the physical or aesthetic features of the building, including doors and windows (art 2(d))

Prior communication

Only where a detail plan, execution unit or subdivision sets the details, or in a consolidated urban zone under the height rule (art 4(4))

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), 4(2)(c) and 4(4), 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