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Noise in the condominium is one of the main causes of disputes between neighbours. Loud music, jumping in the early hours, works on a Saturday or a café on the ground floor with a terrace open late: each of these cases has its own rules under Portuguese law. Knowing them helps you tell when a nuisance can be solved with a conversation and when you have the right to ask the police, the council or a court to step in. In this guide we explain the rules in force in 2026, residents’ rights and duties and the steps for making a complaint.
In short
- The General Noise Regulation (Decree-Law 9/2007) distinguishes neighbourhood noise, temporary activities and permanent activities.
- Between 11 pm and 7 am, the police can order neighbourhood noise to stop immediately (art. 24).
- Works inside residential buildings are only allowed on working days, from 8 am to 8 pm (art. 16).
- Noisy temporary activities near homes are banned at weekends, on public holidays and on working days between 8 pm and 8 am, unless a special licence is granted (arts. 14 and 15).
- The Civil Code protects against noise that causes substantial harm (art. 1346).
What the General Noise Regulation says
The General Noise Regulation (Regulamento Geral do Ruído), approved by Decree-Law 9/2007, defines three situations relevant to anyone living in a building:
- Neighbourhood noise: noise associated with residential use, produced by a person, by something in their care or by an animal, which through its duration, repetition or intensity may disturb the neighbours’ peace.
- Temporary noisy activity: building works, shows, parties, fairs and markets.
- Permanent noisy activity: for example, the operation of shops and service businesses.
For neighbourhood noise, the central rule is this:
«1 – As autoridades policiais podem ordenar ao produtor de ruído de vizinhança, produzido entre as 23 e as 7 horas, a adopção das medidas adequadas para fazer cessar imediatamente a incomodidade.» — General Noise Regulation, article 24(1)
In plain English: the police can order whoever is producing neighbourhood noise between 11 pm and 7 am to take suitable measures to stop the disturbance immediately.
Between 7 am and 11 pm, the police can set a deadline for the person making the noise to stop the disturbance (art. 24(2)). In other words, excessive noise during the day can also be stopped; what changes is how urgent the response is.
Hours you need to know
| Situation | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood noise at night | Immediate stop on police orders, 11 pm to 7 am | Art. 24(1) of the RGR |
| Neighbourhood noise during the day | Deadline set by the police, 7 am to 11 pm | Art. 24(2) of the RGR |
| Works inside the building | Working days only, 8 am to 8 pm, with notice of duration | Art. 16 of the RGR |
| Outdoor works, parties, shows | Banned near homes on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and working days from 8 pm to 8 am | Art. 14 of the RGR |
| Exceptions for temporary activities | Special noise licence from the council, requested 15 working days in advance | Art. 15 of the RGR |
Works in the building
Noisy renovation, refurbishment or maintenance works inside residential, commercial or service buildings may only take place on working days, between 8 am and 8 pm, and do not need a special noise licence. The person responsible for the works must post, in an accessible place, the expected duration and, where possible, the period of greatest noise (art. 16).
Shops on the ground floor
Cafés, restaurants and other permanent activities are subject to limit values and to the nuisance criterion: the difference between the noise with the activity and without it may not exceed 5 dB(A) during the day, 4 dB(A) in the evening and 3 dB(A) at night (art. 13). Enforcement is the responsibility of the municipal council, which can order acoustic measurements.
Residents' rights
- Night-time rest: asking the PSP or GNR to intervene when neighbourhood noise occurs between 11 pm and 7 am.
- Objecting to excessive noise: the Civil Code allows an owner to object to noise and vibrations from a neighbouring property that cause substantial harm or do not result from normal use of that property (art. 1346).
- Regulations: requiring compliance with the noise rules approved in the condominium regulations.
- Information about works: knowing the expected duration of works in the building.
Residents' duties
- Avoid unnecessary noise, especially at night.
- Carry out noisy works only during legal hours and let the neighbours know.
- Keep noise from animals and appliances under control (washing machines, speakers, air-conditioning units).
- Comply with the condominium regulations, which may be stricter than the law on the use of the common parts.
How to complain, step by step
- Talk to your neighbour. Often, whoever is making the noise does not realise it is a nuisance.
- Inform the administrator. The administrator must ensure the regulations are complied with (art. 1436 of the Civil Code) and can send a written warning.
- Keep a record. Note dates, times and duration; keep recordings and witness statements.
- Call the police for persistent night-time noise: the PSP in cities or the GNR in the areas it covers.
- The municipal council, for shops, works or licensed activities.
- Mediation, a justice of the peace court or a court, if the problem continues.
Find out about the four types of noise in condominiums and how to react.
Noise from outside the condominium
Traffic, roadworks, local festivals or nearby bars are not the condominium’s problem, but they affect residents. Parties and outdoor works near homes follow the hours in article 14 of the RGR, unless the council grants a special noise licence. If the rules are broken, the complaint goes to the municipal council or the police.
The condominium's role
The general meeting can approve noise rules for the common parts in the regulations and set fines for those who break them, within the limits of article 1434 of the Civil Code. For buildings with recurring disputes, good conflict resolution between neighbours starts with clear rules and quick communication from the administrator. Condoroo manages more than 600 condominiums, with a team of more than 20 professionals: when a noise complaint arrives, the manager follows it up and, where needed, sends a written warning by letter with tracking.
Noise in the condominium: frequently asked questions
What time do quiet hours start in the condominium?
The law does not set an absolute «quiet period», but between 11 pm and 7 am the police can order neighbourhood noise to stop immediately.
Can I do works at home on a Saturday?
Noisy works inside residential buildings are only allowed on working days, between 8 am and 8 pm.
Who do I call if my neighbour makes noise in the early hours?
The PSP or the GNR, depending on the area. They can order the noise to stop immediately.
Can the ground-floor café play music until late?
It must comply with the limit values and the nuisance criterion of the General Noise Regulation and its licensed opening hours. Enforcement is the council’s responsibility.
Can the condominium regulations include noise rules?
Yes, they can regulate the use of the common parts and provide for fines, within the limits of the Civil Code.
Is noise during the day also prohibited?
Excessive neighbourhood noise during the day can lead the police to set a deadline for it to stop. The Civil Code also protects against noise that causes substantial harm.
This article is for information only and does not replace legal advice for your specific case. Legislation checked on 26 October 2026.
