What does embargo mean in Portugal?
Embargo is the council president's order to stop works. It can be issued for works under way without the required licence or notification, that depart from the approved project or its conditions, or that break legal rules.
- Rests on
- RJUE, art. 102.º-B n.º 1 and n.º 2
- Law
- Decreto-Lei n.º 555/99 (RJUE), as republished by Decreto-Lei n.º 108/2026
- Version
- In force since 1 October 2026 (Decreto-Lei n.º 155-B/2026)
- Official text
- data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/108/2026/05/29/p/dre/pt/pdf
- Sources
- data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/108/2026/05/29/p/dre/pt/pdf
data.dre.pt/eli/dec-lei/155-b/2026/07/31/p/dre/pt/pdf
data.dre.pt/eli/declretif/29-a/2026/07/27/p/dre/pt/pdf - Checked
- 2026-11-05
What it means for the owner
- The notice goes to the person directing the works, the holder of the licence or notification and, if possible, the owner; a notice to any of them, or to whoever is carrying out the work, is enough to require suspension (art. 102.º-B n.º 2).
- A record (auto) is drawn up straight away, stating the reasons in fact and law (art. 102.º-B n.º 3).
- Illegal works can then be legalised if they can be made to comply (see legalização).
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