Library
Permits, taxes, and the rules
that actually apply to you
What requires a permit, what does not, and what foreign owners get wrong about renovation tax in Portugal.
Habitation Licence in Portugal: Do You Still Need One?
The habitation licence after the 2024 Simplex reform and the 1 October 2026 RJUE changes: when it applies and what to check.
Renovation Permit Process in Portugal: How It Works and When to Start
How renovation permits work in Portugal after the 1 October 2026 RJUE reform: routes, câmara deadlines and timing.
What Can You Build Without Planning Permission in Portugal?
What's exempt from a building permit in Portugal, from garden sheds to interior renovations, under DL 108/2026, in force from 1 October 2026.
Do You Need a Permit to Renovate in Portugal?
Portugal sorts renovation work into three permit categories. Learn which one applies to your project before you hire a contractor.
DL 97/2026: Does Portugal's New 6% Renovation VAT Actually Apply to You?
Portugal's 6% renovation VAT under DL 97/2026 has strict conditions. Most foreign owners don't qualify, here's who actually does.
The 1951 Rule in Portugal Explained
The 1951 rule exempts pre-1951 Portuguese buildings from usage licences, which changes the permits and budget your renovation needs.
Do You Need a Permit to Renovate a Bathroom in Portugal?
Most bathroom renovations need no permit at all. Here is exactly when a Comunicacao Previa or full Licenciamento applies, what it costs, and what happens if you skip it.
IMT, IMI and Renovation Tax in Portugal: What Foreign Owners Actually Pay
Foreign buyers now pay 7.5% flat IMT. But buying in an ARU and renovating within three years can eliminate IMT entirely, cut VAT to 6%, and save over 40,000 euros.