URBAN PLANNING
DECODED.

The RGEU (General Urban Building Regulation) and the RJUE (Legal Regime for Urbanization and Building) are the two fundamental legal instruments regulating construction and urban licensing in Portugal.

Decree-Law 10/2024 (SIMPLEX) initiated the simplification of the Portuguese urban planning framework. Subsequently, Decree-Law 108/2026 (SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0) revises and deepens these changes, entering into force on August 3, 2026. Key changes include prior communication as the default rule, shorter decision deadlines, and a more robust urbanistic title. Babete Urbanismo integrates both revisions.

Municipal Master Plans (PDM) are territorial management instruments that define land-use rules for each municipality. Babete Urbanismo provides direct access to PDMs and municipality-specific regulations.

Yes. Babete Urbanismo is completely free. Every answer points to official legislation published in the Diário da República, ensuring rigour and traceability.

Decree-Law 108/2026 (SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0) changes the RGEU revocation regime: revocation no longer has a fixed date and now depends on the entry into force of a future diploma establishing technical building regulations. Until then, the RGEU remains in force. Babete Urbanismo tracks this transition, keeping the RGEU accessible while in force and integrating new rules as they take effect.

Not entirely, but Decree-Law 108/2026 (SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0) establishes prior communication as the default rule, replacing licensing whenever urbanistic parameters are previously defined (approved PDM, Detailed Plan, or Execution Unit). Licensing remains for operations without densified parameters. The amendments to the RJUE (Decree-Law 555/99) define the new thresholds. Use the platform to check which procedure applies to your project.

The transitional regime of Decree-Law 108/2026 (SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0) provides that the new regime applies to proceedings initiated after its entry into force (August 3, 2026) and also to pending proceedings in the initial filing and preliminary review phase. Other already-submitted applications continue under previous rules. Babete Urbanismo indicates which regime applies based on the date and phase of the process.

Yes. The platform adapts to different project types — new construction, renovation, change of use, conservation works. You can search by project type and municipality to find the applicable rules. The platform covers all regimes: pre-SIMPLEX (RGEU/RJUE), SIMPLEX (DL 10/2024), and SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0 (DL 108/2026), indicating which applies to your case based on the submission date.

Decree-Law 108/2026 (SIMPLEX Urbanístico 2.0), in force since August 3, 2026, revises and deepens the 2024 SIMPLEX. Key developments: prior communication becomes the default rule whenever urbanistic parameters are defined; shorter decision deadlines with reinforced tacit approval; invalidity period reduced from 10 to 3 years; a more robust urbanistic title with mandatory mention in real estate transactions; and a strengthened Prior Information Request (PIP). The diploma amends the RGEU, the RJUE (republished), and the RJRU.