Very high and high fire hazard land (APPS): can you build on it in Portugal?
Generally no new building: in the priority prevention and security areas (APPS) drawn from high and very high rural fire hazard, rustic land cannot be subdivided or built on where the area carries building restrictions.
- Answer
- Subdivision and building works are banned where the APPS carries building restrictions.
- Exceptions
- Maintenance and minor works; rebuilding a permanent home or recognised business on conditions; works with no alternative site, such as roads or energy lines; farm buildings recognised by the council.
- Not covered
- Rural settlements.
- Who decides
- The council checks the exceptions, with a binding opinion from the municipal rural fire commission in some cases.
- Map
- Sub-regional commissions adapt and publish the APPS maps.
- Legal basis
- Decreto-Lei 82/2021, articles 41, 42 and 60, as amended by Decreto-Lei 56/2023
- Sources
- files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2021/10/19900/0000200047.pdf
files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2023/07/13600/0001300021.pdf - Checked
- 2026-11-05
Free check
Send us your question about a plot or a land classification. We will answer it by email, based on the national rules and the sources shown on the page. It is free.