The new Simplex Urbanístico 2026: What Changes in Portugal’s Permitting System and How to Prepare Your Project
- Karolline Dutra
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
The new phase promises speed — but demands stronger technical accountability and strategic planning.
Over the past two years, Portugal’s Simplex Urbanístico (Decree-Law No. 10/2024) has reshaped how building permits are processed. Designed to streamline bureaucracy and empower technical professionals, the reform has brought both agility and uncertainty to investors navigating the country’s planning system.
By 2025, most municipalities had adapted their internal workflows, standardizing documentation and learning through practice. Yet one conclusion stands out: simplification only works when paired with structure. Simplex Urbanístico is not merely “less paperwork” — it’s a systemic shift in how projects are conceived, validated, and managed.
As 2026 approaches, the government is preparing the second generation of Simplex Urbanístico, refining the legal framework and reinforcing technical accountability. For architects, developers, and investors, understanding these updates is essential to plan confidently and avoid costly delays.
What Simplex Urbanístico 2026 changed since 2024
Approved through Decree-Law No. 10/2024, the reform replaced several redundant licensing acts with technical responsibility statements and mechanisms of positive silence (automatic approval after specific deadlines).
Main reforms include:
Removal of pre-approvals for minor interventions;
Clearer distinctions between licensing, prior communication, and exemption from control;
Standardization of application documents under Ordinance No. 71-A/2024, minimizing municipal discrepancies;
Stronger accountability for designers and engineers, who certify regulatory compliance.
The aim is to make decision-making faster and more predictable while preserving legal and technical integrity. In practice, it shifts responsibility from public authorities to qualified professionals — and demands higher rigor from day one.
2026: Toward predictability and full digital integration
a) Predictable timelines
A national framework will standardize decision deadlines and expand the scope of positive silence — reducing uncertainty and helping financial planning.
b) Reinforced technical accountability
As municipal control decreases, the legal weight of technical declarations increases. The project author must ensure full compliance with zoning, safety and performance standards — with concrete consequences for errors or omissions.
c) Full digital transition
A unified national online licensing platform is expected to integrate submission, reviews and inspections. Efficiency will rely on high-quality digital documentation and cross-disciplinary coordination.
In short: the 2026 update continues decentralizing administrative power while demanding stronger professional discipline — making competence and documentation the true determinants of success.
What this means for developers and investors
For investors and developers, the Simplex Urbanístico opens a path to faster permitting — but also heightens the need for expert technical support.
Advantages
Shorter, more transparent approval timelines, ideal for scheduling and financing;
Reduced bureaucracy, with fewer redundant steps across municipalities;
Online tracking and digital documentation, enabling remote management.
Risks
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation may trigger rejections or resets;
Municipal interpretation gaps can persist despite harmonization efforts;
Greater liability for project authors and owners via self-declarations.
Lesson: speed does not replace diligence. In a declaration-based system, working with qualified consultants becomes more critical than ever.
How to prepare your project for 2026
See below our 5 practical tips to prepare your project for the Simplex Urbanístico 2026 — a concise, strategic guide to help you save time, minimize risks, and ensure full technical compliance from day one.
Identify the correct permit type.
Clarify whether the operation is licensing, prior communication, or exemption — and justify it with proper legal grounds.
Follow the documentation checklist.
Ensure all mandatory drawings, reports and declarations under Ordinance No. 71-A/2024 are included.
Allow buffer time.
External opinions (utilities, heritage, fire) may take longer; build contingencies into the timeline.
Keep digital traceability.
Store every signed version and declaration; it’s your best defense in audits or disputes.
Engage integrated teams.
Architecture + engineering compatibility is now a compliance requirement, not a stylistic choice.
The Guedu Atelier perspective
At Guedu Atelier, we see Simplex Urbanístico as more than legal simplification — it’s a shift toward responsibility, transparency and method.
Our integrated model combines technical consulting, cost planning, licensing management and design coordination to ensure deadlines are met and value is created at every step.
Plan strategically. Build efficiently. Deliver with purpose.
Conclusion
The 2026 evolution of Simplex Urbanístico will accelerate Portugal’s transition to a digital, predictable and efficient planning system. Real success will depend on preparation — not only from municipalities, but from every architect, engineer and investor shaping the built environment
Those who anticipate the changes, structure their documentation and manage risk proactively will gain what the reform truly offers: time, control and confidence.
Planning a project in Portugal under Simplex Urbanístico?Guedu Atelier offers integrated consulting, cost management and design coordination to navigate licensing with control, speed and confidence. Book a strategic consultation today.
Written by Karolline Dutra
Civil e Environmental Engineer | Interior Designer
Building Conservation and Rehabilitation Specialist
Cost Consultant & Project Manager
Founder & CEO at Guedu Atelier
Do you have questions about your project?
Guedu Atelier is a consultancy company specialized in project management, cost consultancy, construction supervision, and interior design. We are ready to support strategic decisions and transform ideas into feasible projects, balancing quality, functionality, and investment.
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