Solar water heater: do you need a permit in Portugal?

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

Solar thermal collectors for domestic hot water are exempt within the same limits as solar panels: not beyond the roof area, not more than 1 m above the building's height, and the water tank must be hidden from view.

Ask for a free check

Answer

Exempt from licence and prior communication

Limit

Not beyond the roof area of the building and not more than 1 m above its height

Tank

The water storage tank or unit must be concealed

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)(g), 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