How long it takes to build a house in Portugal
Anyone giving you a number before seeing the plot is guessing. We found no independent figure for an average build. The council deadlines, though, are in the law.
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Council deadlines
Under the revised law:
- Prior information request: 15 days for a simple one, 30 for a full one.
- Architecture: decision in 30 days, after screening or the last outside opinion.
- Outside bodies: 20 days to give an opinion.
- Engineering designs: filed within 6 months of architecture approval.
- Building permit: decision in 20 days, after those approvals.
In several of these cases, the law treats silence as approval. Take advice before relying on that.
What causes delays
- Restrictions on the plot found too late.
- Design changes after approval.
- Outside opinions in protected areas.
- Long lead times, such as made-to-measure windows.
- Decisions delayed by owners who are abroad.
What goes in the contract
Start date, duration, what happens if it runs late and how changes are handled. Ask for a work schedule too, so you can follow progress from a distance.
Common questions
How long does a permit take?
The legal deadlines add up across stages and start from different events, so there is no single total. Ask the local council how it is applying the new law.
Is it slower for foreigners?
The rules are the same. In practice, signatures and decisions can take longer from abroad, so plan who acts for you.