The government has presented a proposal to amend the Legal Framework for Urbanisation and Building (RJUE) with the aim of simplifying procedures, reducing deadlines and bringing greater efficiency to licensing processes in Portugal.
In a country where bureaucracy is often cited as one of the biggest obstacles to the development of new projects, this reform could represent a turning point for the sector.
But what changes, after all, and why is this so relevant for those who invest in or develop property projects?
In this article we explain everything clearly and practically.
Faster and more predictable licensing
One of the most significant changes is the intention to reduce the complexity and time taken to analyse municipalities.
The aim is to streamline processes, reduce additional requests and make the administrative response more objective.
For investors and developers, this means:
shorter time between buying the land and starting work
greater predictability in the schedule
reduced costs associated with waiting times
Reducing deadlines can be particularly relevant for new construction and urban regeneration projects, sectors where delays in licensing often jeopardise margins and timetables.
Greater technical accountability and less bureaucracy
Another critical point of the proposal is the transfer of responsibility to the designers.
Several elements that previously required administrative validation now depend on technical declarations, bringing Portugal closer to practices already used in other European countries.
The benefits of this model are:
fewer delays caused by formal checks
greater fluidity between project phases
more linear and transparent processes
The focus is now on the technical rigour and quality of the project, rather than successive rounds of document analysis.
Reduction of conditions and additional requests
The reform also seeks to limit additional requests or late demands by public entities, something that has been a recurring problem and which creates instability in projects.
With clearer rules and more defined deadlines, it is hoped:
greater legal certainty
fewer project revisions after submission
fewer unexpected delays
For those who invest, this reduces the overall risk and makes the market more predictable.
Direct impact on the development of new projects
With simpler procedures and quicker responses, it will be possible:
launch projects in less time
meet the growing demand for housing
accelerate projects in areas of greater urban pressure
make investment more attractive to domestic and foreign capital
This point is especially relevant at a time when Portugal is facing a structural deficit in housing supply.
Opportunities for investors
The changes to the RJUE could open doors to new opportunities:
Less risk and greater profitability
Reduced licensing time means less overheads and faster payback.
Better environment for construction and refurbishment
Projects that previously faced long delays will now be able to progress more smoothly.
Greater attractiveness for international investment
Investors are looking for stable and efficient markets - and this reform improves the country's competitiveness.
More security when buying off-plan
More predictable timetables boost buyers' confidence and reduce the risk for developers.
A reform that could mark the next few years for real estate
Simplifying the RJUE doesn't solve all the sector's challenges, but it is an important step in the right direction.
If the changes are implemented effectively, the market can become more dynamic, predictable and attractive, benefiting investors, developers and buyers.
At Invest351, we closely follow all legislative developments and help investors navigate this new scenario with security, information and strategy. Do you want to know how these changes could impact your projects? Talk to us.
