Building a House in Lisbon – Licenses, Steps, and Important Considerations

The city of Lisbon, with its rich history, culture, and mild climate, is one of the most desired destinations for living in Portugal. Many individuals and families choose to reside in the Portuguese capital to enjoy all the advantages that this city has to offer. However, constructing a house involves challenges, licenses, and important considerations that deserve attention. In this article, we will explore some of these key points.

1. Choosing the Location

Lisbon is a diverse city with various neighborhoods and areas, each with its own characteristics. Therefore, it is crucial to check the availability of land and perform proper urban planning, which can involve numerous restrictions, especially in terms of permitted construction area, preservation of facades, or the building itself, if it is a classified property or in the process of being classified.

2. Licenses and Permissions

Obtaining the necessary licenses and permissions is a fundamental step in the construction process. Local authorities, such as the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, require developers to obtain approval for their projects. It is recommended to hire an architect who can correctly align with regulations and constraints to assist in the license acquisition process. Before proceeding with construction, you should consider several steps:

Request for prior information: initially, it is essential to request a request for prior information from the City Council where you purchased the land or property. This procedure will assess the viability of the project in the chosen location, ensuring that the land or property complies with the current territorial plans and other relevant legislation.
Architectural Project: after the initial approval, it is necessary to develop the architectural project, which will be submitted for approval to the respective municipality. Additionally, approval for specialty projects, including hydraulics, stability, HVAC, electrical installations, among others, is also required.
Construction License: with all projects approved, you can now apply for a construction license at the City Council. This step is crucial, as it represents official authorization to begin the work.
Construction Permit: after obtaining the construction permit, the next step is to select a contractor who will supervise the work and will be responsible for the Construction Book, in which all details of the construction process are recorded.
Use License: upon completion of construction, it is necessary to obtain a use license before occupying the new residence. If there are no substantial changes in relation to the original project, it is possible to request a Housing License, upon presentation of the relevant water and sewage inspections and certifications. It is important to note that this process may involve financial fees.

3. Costs and Budget

It is essential to request multiple quotes to ensure the financial viability of the project. Please be aware that associated costs may vary depending on the location, size, and desired quality level of your project.

4. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of the building is a regulatory requirement and for this reason you can rely on our specialized team to build an efficient building. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that energy efficiency not only contributes to environmental preservation, but can also result in long-term operational cost savings for your building.

Finally, after completing the construction, the question arises about what comes next. Regardless of the type of building to be developed, this is the time to invest in interior design to create an environment that meets your needs.
As you can see, building or renovating in Lisbon can be rewarding but requires careful planning and compliance with current legislation. You can always rely on the specialized support of the MJARC Architects team to guide your project.