Splitting off a plot: do you need a permit in Portugal?

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

Splitting off a single plot (destaque) is exempt from licence and prior communication in an urban perimeter if both resulting plots front public roads. Outside urban areas extra conditions apply, and you cannot split again for 10 years.

Ask for a free check

Answer

Exempt if the conditions are met

Inside an urban perimeter

One plot split off a registered property; both resulting plots must front public streets (art 6(4))

Outside urban areas

Only housing with no more than two dwellings on the split plot, and the remaining plot keeps the minimum area (art 6(5))

10 years

No new split from the original property for 10 years (art 6(6))

Certificate

The council issues a certificate used for the land registry (art 6(9))

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(1)(d) and 6(4) to (9), 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