Use licence (buying or selling): where to get it in Portugal

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You need not show the use licence to transfer a building, but the deed must now state whether a planning title exists. The notary records the title shown, or the seller declares having it or not having it. Without this mention the sale can be annulled.

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Rule

RJUE art 4-A, n. 14, as republished by Decree-Law 108/2026

Old name

Since 1 October 2026 references to the use licence mean a comunicação prévia after permitted works, or a comunicação prévia com prazo when no works came before (Decree-Law 108/2026, art 9)

Applies to

Sales of building land, finished or unfinished buildings, and flats

Deed must state

The title shown, or the seller's declaration that they have it, or that they have none

If it is missing

The sale can be annulled (anulabilidade)

Earlier change

Decree-Law 10/2024, article 26(f), removed the old duty to show the use licence and the housing technical file at the deed

IRN's Casa Pronta page

Lists a deed reference to the use licence for buildings built after 7 August 1951

Sources

data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/108/2026/05/29/p/dre/pt/pdf
data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/10/2024/01/08/p/dre/pt/html
justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Balcao-Casa-Pronta
data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/155-b/2026/07/31/p/dre/pt/pdf

Checked

2026-11-05