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Dogs and cats are part of many families and increasingly live in flats. In a building, however, each person’s freedom runs into other people’s rest, hygiene and safety. The result is some of the most common arguments in condominiums: the dog that barks, the cat that gets onto the neighbour’s balcony, droppings in the shared garden or a lift shared with someone who is afraid of animals. In this guide to pets in condominiums we explain how many animals the law allows per home, what the regulations can and cannot limit, the rules for the common parts and how to resolve disputes.
In short
- In urban buildings, up to three dogs or four adult cats may be kept per home, with no more than four animals in total, unless more are authorised (art. 3 of Decree-Law 314/2003).
- Under horizontal property, the condominium regulations can set a lower limit.
- The general meeting can regulate the use of the common parts: leads in the garden, use of the lift, cleaning up droppings.
- Noise from animals can count as neighbourhood noise and, at night, the police can order it to stop.
How many animals you can keep in a flat
The general limit is in Decree-Law 314/2003. In urban buildings, up to three dogs or four adult cats may be kept per home, with no more than four animals in total. At the keeper’s request, and with a binding opinion from the municipal veterinarian and the health officer, up to six adult animals may be authorised, provided health and animal welfare requirements are met. In any case, keeping animals depends on good conditions and the absence of health risks. The same article adds a specific rule for buildings under horizontal property:
«3 — No caso de fracções autónomas em regime de propriedade horizontal, o regulamento do condomínio pode estabelecer um limite de animais inferior ao previsto no número anterior.» — Decree-Law 314/2003, article 3(3)
In plain English: for units under horizontal property, the condominium regulations may set a lower limit on the number of animals than the one in the previous paragraph.
You can consult the consolidated version of the law in the Diário da República, Portugal’s official gazette.
What the condominium can decide
The condominium has two main instruments: the title deed of horizontal property and the regulations. The Civil Code prohibits owners from carrying out acts or activities that have been prohibited in the title deed or, later, by a decision of the general meeting approved without opposition (art. 1422(2)(d) of the Civil Code). In practice:
| Measure | Is it possible? | How |
|---|---|---|
| Limiting the number of animals per unit below the legal limit | Yes | Condominium regulations |
| Banning animals in the units | Possible in some cases, debated in the courts | Title deed or decision without opposition |
| Requiring leads in the common parts | Yes | Regulations or a decision |
| Setting rules for the lift and stairs | Yes | Regulations or a decision |
| Requiring droppings to be cleaned up immediately | Yes | Regulations; cleaning up is already the owner’s duty |
| Fining those who do not comply | Only if provided for | Approved penalties, within legal limits |
A total ban on animals must always respect the law and the rights of those who already live in the building. If your condominium wants to introduce rules, start by regulating the common parts, where the general meeting clearly has authority. Our guide to condominium regulations explains how to draft and approve these rules.
Duties of pet owners
Having an animal in a building means extra care. In addition to the general animal welfare duties and the identification and vaccination rules set by law, people living in a condominium should:
- keep the home clean and free of smells that reach the common parts or the neighbours;
- pick up droppings on the stairs, in the lift, in the garden and in the street;
- use a lead in the common parts, and a muzzle where the law requires it for the breed or animal;
- avoid prolonged noise, especially when the animal is left alone;
- be liable for damage the animal causes to people or property, including the common parts.
Civil liability insurance that covers the animal can be useful. Some home insurance policies already include it; check with your insurer.
Noise caused by animals
A dog that barks for hours can count as neighbourhood noise. The General Noise Regulation allows the police, between 11 pm and 7 am, to order the person responsible to take measures to stop the disturbance immediately (art. 24 of the General Noise Regulation). During the day, the way forward is dialogue and, if necessary, a complaint to the authorities. Our article on noise in the condominium explains the steps.
Often, the animal barks because it is left alone for too long. Talking to the owner calmly and with facts (days, times, duration) works better than an anonymous note.
Animals in rented homes
In a tenancy, the parties can agree in the contract whether the tenant may keep animals. If the contract says nothing, the general rules apply: the tenant must use the home prudently and is liable for any damage caused, including damage caused by the animal. In any case, the tenant must comply with the condominium regulations. If you are a landlord, include a clear clause in the contract and ask the tenant for civil liability insurance.
Animal cruelty
Law 69/2014 introduced crimes against companion animals into the Penal Code. If you suspect cruelty or abandonment in a flat in the building, do not confront the owner: report the situation to the GNR, the PSP or the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with as much information as possible. The condominium administrator can help refer the case, but does not replace the authorities.
How to resolve a dispute about animals
First, check what the title deed and the regulations say. Then talk to your neighbour, calmly and with specific proposals. If the problem is in the common parts, involve the administrator. If nothing works, there is mediation and the justice of the peace courts, which we explain in our guide to disputes between neighbours.
How Condoroo helps
Condoroo manages more than 600 condominiums, with a team of more than 20 professionals. We help the general meeting approve balanced rules for animals in the common parts, receive complaints, talk to those involved and follow up until the situation is resolved. When a formal notice is needed, it goes out by letter with tracking, so there is a record of it.
Clear rules and a little common sense on both sides prevent most disputes about animals.
Pets in condominiums: frequently asked questions
How many animals can I keep in a flat?
Up to three dogs or four adult cats per home, with no more than four animals in total, unless up to six are authorised (art. 3 of Decree-Law 314/2003).
Can the condominium limit the number of animals?
Yes. Under horizontal property, the condominium regulations can set a lower limit than the legal one.
Can the condominium ban animals?
It can, if the ban is in the title deed or in a decision approved without opposition (art. 1422(2)(d) of the Civil Code). The courts assess this case by case; regulating the common parts is always possible.
Can my dog use the lift?
Yes, unless the condominium has a different rule, and always on a lead and with consideration for other residents.
What can I do if the neighbour's dog barks all night?
Talk to the neighbour first. Between 11 pm and 7 am, you can call the PSP or GNR, who can order the noise to stop.
Can the landlord ban animals?
The landlord can include that rule in the tenancy contract. In any case, the tenant must comply with the condominium regulations.
This article is for information only and does not replace legal advice. Legislation checked on 26 October 2026.
