What does aceitação da obra mean in Portugal?
Aceitação da obra is the owner's acceptance of the finished work. Before accepting, the owner must check that it is as agreed and free of defects; failing to check, or to tell the contractor the result, counts as acceptance.
- Rests on
- Código Civil, art. 1218.º and art. 1219.º
- Law
- Código Civil (Decreto-Lei n.º 47344/66), consolidated text updated to Lei n.º 29/2026
- Official text
- pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?ficha=1201&ar...
- Sources
- pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?ficha=1201&ar...
- Checked
- 2026-11-05
What it means for the owner
- The check must be done within the usual period or, failing one, a reasonable period after the contractor makes it possible (art. 1218.º n.º 2).
- Either party can require that experts do the check, at the cost of the party asking (art. 1218.º n.º 3).
- The contractor is not liable for defects the owner accepted without reservation while knowing of them; visible defects are presumed known (art. 1219.º).
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