Land use news in Portugal

Latest news and stories about land use in Portugal for expats and residents.

Featured stories

Air Force shooting range moves to make way for airport

📍 Alter do Chão 🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#defense-policy+3 more

The Air Force shooting range (Campo de Tiro) will move from Alcochete to Alter do Chão to allow for the construction of the new Lus de Cames Airport. Minister of National Defence Nuno Melo confirmed the relocation, which will bring 200 military personnel and their families to the Portalegre district. Residents in the new location have been assured that environmental safeguards and local agricultural activities will be maintained.

Nuno Melo is the leader of CDS-PP (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a Christian democratic party on Portugal’s centre-right, and Minister of National Defence in Luís Montenegro’s government, where CDS-PP governs in coalition with the PSD. He was previously a Member of the European Parliament.

5 sources →11 Mar

Air Force shooting range moves to make way for airport

APA flags major impacts on Sophia solar project

🌱 Environment#environmental-impact+3 more

The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) has identified 'significant and very significant' negative impacts in the environmental impact assessment for the Sophia photovoltaic project, ECO and Observador report. The finding could force changes to the project's design, mitigation plans or could delay licensing while developers respond to the EIA committee's concerns. Developers, local councils and nearby residents should follow the EIA process and public consultations for potential changes or compensatory measures.

The APA (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente) is Portugal's central environmental authority, responsible for environmental policy, climate action, water resources, waste management, and coastal protection. It operates under the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

APA manages Portugal's water resources including river basins, dam operations, and flood risk planning. It monitors air and water quality, oversees waste treatment facilities, manages the national emissions trading scheme, and leads Portugal's climate adaptation strategies.

The agency is particularly prominent during flood events, as it controls dam discharges and coordinates water management across Portugal's major rivers. APA also processes environmental impact assessments and licenses for projects affecting natural resources.

2 sources →18 Feb

APA flags major impacts on Sophia solar project

Recent articles

If the law prevents projects from being approved, change the law, says Minister of Agriculture to the ICNF (published 23 January)

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment 🏠 Property#land-use+3 more

Right of reply from the Minister of Agriculture to PÚBLICO’s 23–24 January coverage, addressed to the ICNF. The minister argues that regulatory or legal obstacles that block project approvals should be tackled by changing the law rather than abandoning projects, stressing that governing cannot be synonymous with mere execution. The reply frames the issue as one of policy and regulatory design — balancing property rights, environmental protection and development — and calls for clearer, reform-minded legal solutions to streamline approvals while respecting conservation responsibilities.

Público31 Jan

If the law prevents projects from being approved, change the law, says Minister of Agriculture to the ICNF (published 23 January)

Nuno Melo regrets Menezes' "tone" regarding land in Gaia

🏛️ Government 🏠 Property#land-use+2 more

The Minister of Defence accused the mayor of Gaia of lying about a process concerning military land that the municipality wants for housing.

observador.pt24 Oct

Nuno Melo regrets Menezes' "tone" regarding land in Gaia

The lack of democracy in landscape management

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

The way we use our territory is a central issue in the democratisation of landscapes. The adoption of production, extractive, and exclusive-benefit models continues to intensify. Opinion by Guilherme Castro

publico.pt7 Sept

Portugal needs forest management adapted to each region and true land-use planning

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

The statement highlights the necessity for region-specific forest management strategies and effective territorial planning in Portugal.

O Mirante13 Aug

Citrus plantation in Alcácer do Sal does not comply with the Municipal Master Plan

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

The municipality of Alcácer do Sal considers that there are no conditions met to issue a favourable opinion on the Aquaterra group project, which covers areas of the Natura 2000 network.

publico.pt11 Aug

Luís Neves' wife and son received at Odemira City Council: future of the estate depends on three opinions

🏛️ Government ⚖️ Legal#land-use+1 more

The Portuguese Environment Agency, ICNF, and CCDR Alentejo have been called upon to provide their input.

cmjornal.pt9 Aug

Luís Neves' wife and son received at Odemira City Council: future of the estate depends on three opinions

Association against shooting range demands explanations from the State

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+1 more

Farmers from Alter do Chão contest the Government's decision because the 7,500-hectare area chosen for the shooting range contains excellent agricultural land.

observador.pt30 Jul

Association against shooting range demands explanations from the State

Association contests shooting range in Alter do Chão: project will cover 7,500 hectares in an area crossed by a gas pipeline

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+1 more

The location of the shooting range in Alter do Chão was announced in March by the Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo. 'We find this choice to come here, at this scale [7,500 hectares], strange, and that no other areas were studied. Ultimately, we are very concerned about what this might mean for the region,' warns the spokesperson for the newly created Association for the Future of the Alto Alentejo (APFAA).

expresso.pt30 Jul

Association contests shooting range in Alter do Chão: project will cover 7,500 hectares in an area crossed by a gas pipeline

"Black Desert" - Quercus issues an unfavourable opinion on the Sectoral Programme for Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones as public consultation ends today

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

Environmentalists from the Quercus Association express concern and, on the day the public consultation ends, announce that they have already issued an unfavourable opinion on this Sectoral Programme for Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones.

rtp.pt15 Jul

"Black Desert" - Quercus issues an unfavourable opinion on the Sectoral Programme for Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones as public consultation ends today

Government wants to accelerate renewables in 7% of the territory: environmentalists and municipalities warn of sacrifice to nature and populations

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

The public consultation for the Sectoral Program for Acceleration Zones for the Deployment of Renewable Energy (PSZAER) ends this Wednesday, and criticisms are mounting. Although they support the energy transition, Quercus, Rewilding Portugal, the Northeast Alive Platform, and the Intermunicipal Community of the Leiria Region accuse the Government of moving forward with a model that lacks transparency and is insufficiently prepared to safeguard biodiversity, agricultural land, and land-use planning. They are calling for a halt.

expresso.pt15 Jul

Government wants to accelerate renewables in 7% of the territory: environmentalists and municipalities warn of sacrifice to nature and populations

Braga City Council ordered to pay one million euros for reduction of building capacity on estate

🏠 Property ⚖️ Legal#land-use+2 more

The Braga Administrative and Fiscal Court highlights that most of the land was converted into a green area 'with practically zero building capacity, and even what is permitted is widely restricted'.

cmjornal.pt13 Jul

Braga City Council ordered to pay one million euros for reduction of building capacity on estate

Beira Baixa is not for sale

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

Beira Baixa is not against the future. On the contrary: it wants to be part of it. But it will not accept being reduced to a sacrifice landscape to feed distant consumption.

observador.pt10 Jul

We have a serious problem of smallholdings in our forest

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

Nuno Formigo, an environmental expert at the University of Porto, believes that the country suffers significantly from a lack of land-use planning.

cnnportugal.iol.pt5 Jul

We have a serious problem of smallholdings in our forest

A permanent heartache. Portugal is losing its valuable natural heritage because it insists on this model of land organisation

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

Helena Freitas, an expert in ecology and biodiversity, analyses the causes leading to recurring wildfire seasons in Portugal.

cnnportugal.iol.pt3 Jul

A permanent heartache

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

Portugal is losing its valuable natural heritage and persists in this pattern of land-use planning.

CNN Portugal3 Jul

Nuno Melo, the CDS-PP and the Alter shooting range

🏛️ Government 🏠 Property#land-use+1 more

A shooting range may be necessary. But the State cannot treat the Alto Alentejo as if it were an available void. It is not.

observador.pt12 Jun

Nuno Melo, the CDS-PP and the Alter shooting range

We will lose jobs and land: Mayor of Monforte concerned about part of Air Force firing range in the municipality

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+1 more

The Mayor recently met with local farmers who will potentially be affected by the construction of the firing range.

cmjornal.pt8 Jun

We will lose jobs and land: Mayor of Monforte concerned about part of Air Force firing range in the municipality

Accelerating towards disaster?

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

The plan to accelerate renewables could open 7% of the mainland territory to energy plants and raises concerns regarding the environment, land-use planning, and public participation. Opinion by Demétrio Alves

publico.pt8 Jun

Land use compromises sustainable development goals in Europe

🌱 Environment 🇪🇺 Europe#land-use+2 more

Eurostat reports reveal a clear setback for the EU in protecting water and terrestrial life, while Portugal faces structural challenges in land-use planning that threaten the 2030 Agenda.

publico.pt6 Jun

Shooting range in Alter: And who defends the productive soil?

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+2 more

If the chosen area includes cork oak forests, cattle production, active agricultural operations, and economically productive properties, the question is simple: were alternatives studied?

observador.pt29 May

Shooting range in Alter: And who defends the productive soil?

Faro fire raises concerns over rent-a-car vehicles parked on farmland

🌱 Environment 🏠 Property#land-use+2 more

A wildfire that destroyed seven rental cars in Faro on Wednesday has renewed concerns over rent-a-car companies using agricultural land as temporary parking areas near residential zones. The president of The post Faro fire raises concerns over rent-a-car vehicles parked on farmland appeared first on Portugal Resident.

portugalresident.com21 May

Faro fire raises concerns over rent-a-car vehicles parked on farmland

Insufficient water and planting errors reduced 270 hectares of almond groves to wood chips

🌱 Environment ⚖️ Legal#land-use+2 more

Unlike what happened with the almond grove planting in 2017, De Prado Portugal has hired a company to conduct an archaeological survey of the land where the olive grove will be installed.

publico.pt14 May

Insufficient water and planting errors reduced 270 hectares of almond groves to wood chips

After irrigation, super-intensive dryland olive groves advance into arid lands

🌱 Environment 💶 Finance#land-use+2 more

The new cultivation model guarantees profitability on approximately 100,000 hectares of land currently occupied by cereals and livestock in the Alentejo and Ribatejo regions.

publico.pt14 May

After irrigation, super-intensive dryland olive groves advance into arid lands

Government grants new ‘access’ to mining company over residents’ wishes

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+1 more

The long-running battle by villagers in the north to resist government-backed plans for four open pit lithium mines in prime agricultural land in the municipality of Boticas continues today as The post Government grants new ‘access’ to mining company over residents’ wishes appeared first on Portugal Resident.

portugalresident.com6 May

Government grants new ‘access’ to mining company over residents’ wishes

Government authorises occupation of 24 plots for expansion of the Barroso lithium mine

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+2 more

The Government declared this Wednesday the public utility of establishing administrative easements over 24 plots of land in the municipality of Boticas, so that Savannah Resources can proceed with geological surveys and geotechnical work related to the Barroso Mine expansion project. The concessionaire company will have to compensate the owners.

eco.sapo.pt6 May

Government authorises occupation of 24 plots for expansion of the Barroso lithium mine

Land for medicinal cannabis: PS deputy suspected of lying

⚖️ Legal 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

A member of the PS National Political Commission allegedly lied to purchase a large plot of land in Ribeira de Pena, in the Vila Real district, at a low cost. The 22-hectare property was acquired under the pretext that it would be used to grow medicinal cannabis.

rtp.pt1 May

Land for medicinal cannabis: PS deputy suspected of lying

Illegal constructions near NATO ammunition depot lead Government to question Attorney General's Office

🏛️ Government ⚖️ Legal#land-use+1 more

Buildings at the site have appeared “over the last 50 years” and the Navy only issues “reports and subsequent embargoes”. As it is a sensitive area, the ministry is considering the possibility of expropriating the land.

cmjornal.pt1 May

Illegal constructions near NATO ammunition depot lead Government to question Attorney General's Office

PCP questions the Ministry regarding the defunct Educational Centre in Elvas

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#land-use+2 more

“There is an experimental centre of the Ministry of Agriculture operating with a shortage of space, while on the other hand, in the same municipality, there are one thousand hectares of state-owned land sitting unused,” criticised the PCP deputy.

Observador13 Apr

PCP questions the Ministry regarding the defunct Educational Centre in Elvas

Madeira sets Culture Unit at 1,500 square metres

🏠 Property 🏛️ Government#land-use+1 more

The definition of the 1,500 square metres is based on a technical study aimed at halting the 'continuous fragmentation' of Madeiran property, explains Secretary General Eduardo Jesus.

Observador9 Apr

Madeira sets Culture Unit at 1,500 square metres

Government to evaluate abandoned mining areas for renewable energy installation

🌱 Environment 🏛️ Government#land-use+3 more

The study, which is expected to be completed within 120 days, will be carried out by the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG) in coordination with the Mining Development Company (EDM).

Público6 Apr

Government to evaluate abandoned mining areas for renewable energy installation

Portugal

1856:Portugal's first railway
King Pedro V rides the inaugural train of Portugal's first railway, a 36-kilometre line from Lisbon to Carregado. It was the first stretch of what became the Linha do Norte, which would eventually link the capital with Porto.
Read more Regeneration and the last kings, 1851–1910
1910: The provisional government decrees a new press law, replacing João Franco's repressive press laws of 1907 and restoring freedom of the press, though restrictive legislation would return within a few years.

Elsewhere

1886: President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, a gift from the people of France sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

How many members does the Assembly of the Republic have?

Question 1 of 25 • 2 min quiz