Legal: Construction news in Portugal

New modular construction law is a “trigger” for the sector and paves the way for public contracts

SOS Amianto: works at Cascais school should be suspended

SOS Amianto reiterates the request for the suspension of work and lists serious irregularities detected on-site, days after Civil Protection guaranteed the safety of the school grounds.

Urban planning simplification: 'It will increase conflict between the technician and the developer, which will often end up in court'

There are new rules for construction and rehabilitation. The new Legal Regime for Urbanisation and Building (RJUE) came into force at the beginning of October and introduces new procedures for urban planning processes. Architect Miguel Saraiva warns of the risks with financial and social impacts. Listen to the podcast here.

Building in protected areas: between bureaucracy and the law

Each protected area has its own specific rules. There are many limitations and building from scratch is not a solution.

Three workers die in water reservoir at a house in Quinta do Lago

Three construction workers died this Monday, October 12, in a workplace accident inside a water reservoir at a private residence in Quinta do Lago, Loulé, Faro district, according to the GNR and Civil Protection. The workers were carrying out waterproofing tasks when they were found unresponsive. Despite resuscitation attempts, their deaths were declared at the scene. Three other individuals received assistance. The Authority for Working Conditions (ACT) is investigating the incident, which involved 30 personnel and 13 vehicles. In separate incidents, another worker died after being buried at a hotel construction site in Porto Covo, with one person still missing, and a worker died in Almada following a water pipe burst.

Cascais City Council challenges Public Prosecutor's order regarding Hilton hotel

The Public Prosecutor's Office requested the immediate suspension of construction on the new Hilton hotel in Parede and the demolition of at least three floors. The Cascais municipality confirms it is appealing the order.

Public Prosecutor's Office orders demolition of work authorised by Neves

The Public Prosecutor's Office has issued an order to demolish a construction project that had been previously approved by Neves.

Cascais: citizens ask the court to maintain the injunction on construction at Quinta dos Ingleses

At issue is a lawsuit filed by the '66 pela Quinta' movement against the municipality of Cascais, with the construction company Alves Ribeiro and the private St. Julian’s School named as interested parties.

Mota-Engil to challenge preliminary defeat on the second section of the high-speed rail line

Mota-Engil, the construction company that is part of the Lusolav consortium, will challenge the preliminary report that awards the construction of the second section of the high-speed railway to its competitors.

UPDATE: Worksite where two men died in Sintra crane collapse was unlicensed

The worksite where two men were killed when a large crane toppled onto a public road in Sintra this morning did not have the required permit, Sintra Council has confirmed. The post UPDATE: Worksite where two men died in Sintra crane collapse was unlicensed appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Cascais Hilton continues building, in spite of court embargo

Embargoed by order of the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Sintra 22 days ago, work on the Hilton Hotel development, in Cascais, carried on regardless. Silvie Lai, a nearby resident The post Cascais Hilton continues building, in spite of court embargo appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Fraudulent builder remains calm regarding accusations and claims innocence

Third part of 'Investigação CM', from August 4, 2026.

"This was my dream": Irene was one of the victims at the hands of the fraudulent builder in Sintra

First part of 'Investigação CM', from August 4, 2026.

Hilton Hotel controversy: Cascais City Council to appeal to the Public Prosecutor's Office

Cascais City Council will appeal against the Public Prosecutor's order to suspend construction of the Hilton Hotel and nearly 120 luxury tourist apartments.

Cascais City Council to appeal Public Prosecutor's decision ordering suspension of Hilton works

The Cascais City Council will appeal the Public Prosecutor's decision that mandates the suspension of construction on the Hilton Cascais development in Parede, and requests the at least partial demolition of the building's top three floors, as well as the restoration of the land where it believes construction should not have taken place. In a statement sent...

Construction of the Hilton Hotel continues along the coast

The construction of the Hilton Hotel and 120 tourist apartments along the Cascais coast has not stopped. The Public Prosecutor's Office requested the immediate suspension of the work, and the judge ordered that the parties involved be summoned urgently.

Construction company owned by friend of Luís Neves has been operating without a licence since March due to non-payment of fees

The construction firm Construbarcelos has been operating without legal certification since 26 March 2026. According to data from the IMPIC portal, the company owned by João Carvalho—a contractor and friend of the current Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves—had its licence and public works contractor certificate cancelled due to failure to pay the regulatory fee. The news was reported this Friday, 17 July, by Observador. The IMPIC states that the deadline for payment was 20 February, and failure to pay results in the cancellation of the operating title. The AICCOPN confirmed that this prevents the company from executing any works in both the public and private sectors. As the Minister of Internal Administration has acknowledged that renovations on his property in the Alentejo are still ongoing, this situation may impact the case currently affecting the official. Despite the lack of sector-specific licences, the company retains an active security clearance from the National Security Office (GNS). Between 2019 and 2025, Construbarcelos secured 17 contracts with the Judiciary Police (PJ) worth 2.3 million euros, while also performing private work for Luís Neves and his wife's company, ALCampos, at a property in São Teotónio.

Opposition says lack of inspectors in Odemira is an invitation to those who do not want to follow the law

The municipality reportedly has only three inspectors currently to monitor construction works, which the opposition believes encourages illegal building. A request for an extraordinary meeting remains unanswered.

Odemira City Council is investigating the legality of construction work on Luís Neves' property

Faced with suspicions of “irregular urban planning operations,” the local authority says it will investigate the situation. The minister states that the work included a “wall, bathroom, and porch” where a “tank” was installed.

Building collapses in Porto city centre. Stationery shop owner escapes after leaving to complain about construction work on the adjacent building

The collapse was caused during demolition work at the ongoing construction site, with debris falling onto the public road, according to the local council.

Luxury condominium next to Porto City Park investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office for irregularities

The local authority ordered a partial embargo on the project, suspending work. Despite this, construction continues without restrictions.

"Does not comply with the rules": Porto Atlântico Association denounces illegality in the construction of a luxury condominium

First part of the Investigação CM from May 28, 2025, on CMTV.

Porto City Council admits there are "40 technicians inspecting" luxury condominium construction work

Third part of the Investigação CM report from May 28, 2025, on CMTV.

Economic difficulties halt construction of building in Alcobaça designed by architect Tomás Fonseca

The abandonment of the building in Benedita, designed by the Portuguese architect Tomás Fonseca, has already led the Alcobaça City Council to carry out safety interventions. For years, the building's underground floor was used by local youths as an improvised skatepark.

Porto City Council halts construction near City Park due to 80 cm deviation

Porto City Council has partially suspended the Emporium Park development near the City Park after municipal inspectors found the building exceeded the authorized height by 80 centimetres. The council has ordered the developer to correct the work, including the demolition of the excess structure, to restore legal compliance. Mayor Pedro Duarte stated that such a project would not have been approved under his administration, emphasizing a new, stricter approach to urban planning and landscape protection. A local association has also filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the development.

Porto City Council halts real estate project next to the City Park

Porto City Council has partially suspended work on the controversial Emporium Park development, currently under construction near the City Park on Avenida da Boavista. The council has ordered the demolition of the excess structure after detecting a construction deviation of 80 centimetres above the maximum authorised height for the building, which has sparked public outcry.

Worker dies buried while performing construction work at a residential development in Oeiras

The victim was working on a construction site at the Oeiras Golf Residence when a landslide caused the man to be buried.

Metro do Porto to relocate residents of the Massarelos neighbourhood starting on the 25th

The transport company plans an alternative solution for 13 families for four months while construction work on the Ferreirinha Bridge takes place.