Retaining wall: do you need a permit in Portugal?

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

A retaining wall (muro de suporte de terras) up to 2 m high is exempt as a minor work, and so is a taller one that does not significantly change the existing ground levels. Other retaining walls need a licence.

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Answer

Exempt up to 2 m, or taller if the ground levels are not significantly changed

Height

Up to 2 m, or any height that does not significantly change the existing topography

Other walls

A retaining wall outside these limits follows the general rule: a licence (art 4(2)(c))

Before you start

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

Heritage exception

Minor-works exemptions do not apply to listed buildings, buildings in the protection zone of a listed building (window frames excepted), or buildings inside listed groups or sites (art 6-A(2)).

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 6-A(1)(b) 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