September 24, 2026
Portugal rental reform 2026: what passed in general
On 30 September 2026 the Assembly of the Republic approved in general Proposta de Lei n.º 103/XVII/1.ª (a request for legislative authorisation). It is not yet law. PSD, CDS-PP and IL voted in favour; Chega abstained, with an agreement to amend security deposits, advance payments, pre-1990 leases and the FEH at the detailed stage. The current rules still apply. The 2026 rental reform is no longer “what is about to be voted on”. It is “what Parliament has already agreed to discuss in detail”: on the same day, PSD and Chega signed four points that may change the text at the detailed stage. This checklist updates the status, checks what has been circulating on social media (the security deposit, evictions, the 2% cap) and separates what landlords and tenants can prepare now from what changes only after the decree-law and the Official Gazette (Diário da República).
1. Legislative status: approved in general is not the same as new rules
2. Checklist for the 2026 rental reform: what the Government proposes
Always mark each line as a proposal approved in general; still subject to the detailed stage.
2.1 End of the 2% cap on initial rent for new contracts: freely agreed if the repeal is confirmed, but not yet in force.
2.2 Faster evictions and termination for arrears: the proposal says two months, but legal proceedings remain required.
2.3 Advance rent: up to three months in the Government baseline, subject to the PSD–Chega agreement.
2.4 Security deposits: the Government text removes the usual ceiling, but the agreement commits to limiting deposits.
2.5 Renewal: the proposal removes the three-year minimum.
2.6 Pre-1990 contracts: differentiated safeguards and protection for older and vulnerable households.
2.7 FEH: accommodation and rehousing support; final amounts depend on the statute.
2.8 Email notices, major works and other lines remain to be confirmed.
3. The PSD–Chega agreement: four points that may change the text
- The PSD–Chega agreement was signed on 30 September 2026. It may limit advance payments and security deposits, protect older low-income tenants in pre-1990 contracts with landlord compensation, strengthen the FEH and distinguish deliberate default from genuine inability to pay. Until the detailed stage closes, the Government baseline is not certain future law.
4. What circulated on social media — checked
What circulated on social media describes the Government proposal, not the final text. The 2% cap, faster evictions, up to three months advance rent, deposits, renewal and pre-1990 safeguards all remain subject to the detailed stage. “Approved in Parliament” is not permission to ask for three deposits; current limits apply until a decree-law is published.
5. What to prepare now, and what changes only later
Prepare now: keep the contract, addenda, receipts, notices, correspondence, dated inventory and property records in one file; separate rent, advance rent and deposit on receipts; keep contacts current; follow PL 103/XVII/1.ª. Only after entry into force may new rent, deposit, eviction, pre-1990 and FEH rules be applied. Until then, comply with the current law.
6. Frequently asked questions
Is the new rental law already in force? No. The general stage was approved on 30 September 2026; the detailed stage, final vote, decree-law, promulgation and publication remain.
What was approved? The Government’s legislative authorisation; PSD, CDS-PP and IL voted for it and Chega abstained.
Can landlords already demand three months or uncapped deposits? No. Current law applies. Evictions are not automatic or outside the courts. Pre-1990 protections and the 2% cap depend on the final text.
7. Conclusion: the 2026 rental reform, with both feet on the ground
The 2026 rental reform took a political step on 30 September — approval in general and the PSD–Chega agreement — but it has not yet changed rents, deposits or eviction time limits. Act only within the current law and contract while following the committee, final vote and Diário da República.
Sources
Sources: Portugal.gov (9 Jul 2026); Observador (30 Sep 2026); RTP (30 Sep 2026); CNN Portugal (30 Sep 2026); Idealista (30 Sep 2026); Executive Digest (Sep 2026); ECO (30 Sep 2026).
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Estamos a revolucionar a gestão de condomínios na Europa. A nossa missão é tornar a experiência dos condóminos fácil e eficiente, através de gestores experientes, da automatização de tarefas e do nosso chatbot com inteligência artificial especializado em condomínios.
