Latest news and stories about local government in property in Portugal for expats and residents.
A Constitutional Court ruling has deemed the property tax (IMI) calculation method for dams and wind farms unconstitutional, threatening local revenues and exempting energy firms across 135 inland municipalities from paying compensation.
Mayor Bruno Pereira discusses his historic electoral victory in Santiago do Cacém and outlines his strategic vision for housing and regional development in the context of the Sines project.
Municipal leaders have pushed back against Minister Castro Almeida's accusations that local councils are responsible for delays in housing reconstruction support, arguing that the government failed to provide necessary resources and shifted the administrative burden onto them without consultation.
The law already provides a set of tools available to municipalities that, to a large extent, remain unused by local authorities. Naturally, municipalities cannot solve this crisis alone, but they are not condemned to passively watch prices rise while waiting for a solution from the Government.
The president of the municipal company Gebalis states that the widow evicted from the apartment in Marvila, in the municipality of Lisbon, had no right to the housing. He explains that the person with the right to the house is an 84-year-old elderly man and that there are court rulings to that effect.
In recent days, he added, the protesters have shown a great sense of civic duty.
In a note published on Facebook, João Rodrigues (PSD) says he agrees with the phrase (“Without houses there is no future”), but condemns “absolutely the form chosen to write it”.
One year ago, the people of Cascais entrusted me with the presidency of the Cascais City Council. During this first year, we began laying the foundations for the next ten. We have a vision for our municipality: Cascais for a lifetime. We want our residents to be able to grow, study, work, and raise a family with the quality of life they deserve. Consequently, one of our priorities is housing, with the goal of providing 3,600 housing solutions by 2029. In this first year, we have already allocated, on average, one home per day to our residents, and new municipal housing projects are currently in the preliminary study phase. At the same time, we are paving the way for new rental housing solutions through the 'Build to Rent' model and the development of cooperative projects. We also did what only we can do: acquire strategic land to combat real estate speculation. While a city council cannot solve the housing problems of the Portuguese people alone, it can and must set an example for all political decision-makers in the country. We still want more. Quality of life means having good healthcare services nearby, being able to go to a park close to home, enrolling our children in a good school, using free public transport, and feeling safe at all times. In Health, we opened SNS (National Health Service) counters in Carcavelos, Parede, and São Domingos de Rana, and the 'Bata Branca' project provides general and family medicine consultations to adults without a family doctor. In Education, we added 10 million euros to the budget and inaugurated the new Cascais Secondary School, an investment exceeding 32 million euros. We have already supported more than three thousand students with higher education scholarships, and we will transform the Pereira Coutinho School into a technical-vocational school. Regarding mobility, buses remain free, and we have created two new school bus lines and a connection between São Domingos de Rana and the Cascais Hospital. In the environment, we purchased almost 50 hectares of land for the municipality's largest urban park, which will be five to six times larger than the Marechal Carmona Park. In terms of safety, we have reorganized and strengthened the Municipal Police, inaugurated the Trajouce police station, and opened a Mental Health Office for the security forces. In the economy, we lowered the municipal share of income tax (IRS) to 4.5% and reduced the municipal property tax (IMI) by 15% for all primary and permanent residences. I have written that democracy begins in local life and ends in the quality of life of citizens. In the year that Cascais is also the European Capital of Democracy, we launched our largest Participatory Budget ever, with 12 million euros. Just as a house needs foundations, the future of Cascais needs pillars upon which we will build the next decade. This was only the first year of a project that is for a lifetime.
The recommendation proposal received 17 votes in favour, 15 abstentions, and 18 against.
The housing movement currently camping in Praça D. João I, in Porto, is willing to meet with the mayor, Pedro Duarte, but demands that the invitation be sent to the group's official email address. The protesters reject individual outreach, as they believe no single participant represents them alone, and they are preparing a list of demands to present to the local authority.
The housing movement, which has been occupying Praça D. João I in Porto for a week, stated today that it is available to meet with the mayor, provided that the request is made to the group's official email address.
The movement's spokesperson calls for actions to improve the lives of those in need of housing in Porto.
Pedro Duarte, mayor of Porto, addressed the protests taking place in the city since Saturday. He stated that the Praça D. João I is not a campsite and that he will be relentless against any attempts to set up tents, asserting that there must be rules and that the right to protest cannot infringe upon the freedom of other citizens. He criticized some protest leaders, suggesting their motives are not genuine housing concerns but rather international-linked provocations, and highlighted Porto's significant investment in public housing. Meanwhile, protesters who were removed by the Municipal Police on Monday are planning to continue their indefinite demonstration, with further decisions expected from a popular assembly.
A few months before the 50th anniversary of the first democratic local elections, 16 mayors from across the country met at the third edition of the Local Summit, which took place this Wednesday at the Belém Cultural Centre (CCB) in Lisbon. From housing to local financing, including adaptation to climate change and the need for planning...
Twelve months after the 2025 local elections and with only two months left until the 50th anniversary of the first local government elections, ECO/Local Online is hosting a day of debate with mayors from across the country and the leadership of associations...
Preserving our historic centres is not about looking at the past. It is about protecting what we want to leave to future generations.
Carlos Moedas has reversed his decision to remove residents' representatives from the Municipal Housing Council in Lisbon. Following significant criticism from opposition parties and local associations, the mayor has proposed a new motion to reintegrate several groups that were previously excluded in favor of real estate developers and property owners. Opposition parties, including the Left Bloc (BE), Livre, and the PCP, have criticized the move as a forced U-turn, while continuing to push for broader representation of civic movements and housing rights organizations.
The government is considering allowing local councils to exempt about 15% of their municipal territory from the ‘zero-licensing’ rule – particularly in historic areas. Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida explains The post Town halls to get green-light to control commercial licences in 15% territory appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Monday is key-handover day in Vila Nova de Famalicão. The Raposeira Building, with 36 units, is one of about 150 that the municipality intends to deed by the end of this week.
Home News Ourique municipality in Portugal implements new housing regulation Ourique municipality in Portugal implements new housing regulation The Ourique Municipality, in the Beja district, has adopted new housing regulations defining the access and selection rules for the allocation of municip
The Mayor of Loures rejects accusations made by Vida Justa. He states that the municipality distinguishes between precarious housing and shacks that have since been erected illegally on the Talude Militar.
The new Municipal Master Plan (PDM) for Guarda will come into effect this Wednesday, one day after the publication of the National Ecological Reserve (REN) Charter in the Diário da República, said the Mayor, Sérgio Costa. “Today, we truly see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Municipal Master Plan, which we have all been waiting for...”
There are reports of months-long waits for the payment of the Municipal Affordable Rent Subsidy. The local authority blames 'technical issues'. There are also complaints regarding the amounts awarded this year.
The Mayor of Porto wants more inspection powers for the local authority and more active police involvement in the fight against immigration networks and drug trafficking.
The 13 houses on the street were purchased and low-income tenants were at risk of becoming homeless. The local authority does not rule out filing an injunction to gain room for manoeuvre.
Porto City Council members have approved the seventh amendment to the contract for the Bairro do Aleixo land. 16 years later, Pedro Duarte wants an end to the deadlock, but the opposition has raised criticisms.
Fifth part of 'Doa a Quem Doer' this Friday, May 1, 2026.
The conflict has escalated. The local authority wants to demolish the neighbourhood and double the number of housing units. Residents have lived there for over 60 years and refuse to leave. They deny that the houses are in poor condition.
The municipality of Leiria recorded greater efficiency in responding to applications for support to recover housing affected by bad weather between April 13 and 16, the local authority announced today.
