Latest news and stories about environmental law in Portugal for expats and residents.
A tree in a public or private space can be felled, but the decision cannot be made outside the rules that the law and the city council itself establish for the management of arboreal heritage.
Authorities have initiated 29 legal proceedings in Portugal regarding the illegal destruction of swallow nests.
Requests to the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) for the removal of swallow nests increased between 2024 and 2025, as did the permits issued, with 680 out of the 745 requests submitted over these two years being approved.
Despite the increase in requests in several regions of the country, legislation protects swallow nests, the destruction of which can constitute an environmental offence. What should you do if you have a nest in your home?
In the last three years, of the 29 proceedings identified by the ICNF, nine were in the central region of the country, eight in the Alentejo, seven in the Algarve, one in the northern region, and four in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region.
The legislation strictly prohibits the cycling race from entering core zones of the Gerês protected area.
The law has prohibited the destruction of nests since 1999, but there are exceptions for public health, safety, or building renovation. The ICNF suggests alternatives to avoid removal.
The Évora Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction of Agropecuária Valinho S.A. for three very serious environmental offences. The judgment became final on 21 May.
World Environment Day aims to raise society's awareness of the preservation of natural resources.
Home News Protecting Portugal river Protecting Portugal river The Special Conservation Zone of the Minho River, which also includes the special protection zone of the Coura River, in the district of Viana do Castelo, has a legal framework for protection and conservation starting on 28 January.
