PortugalPolitics

Government approves decree-law that allows an heir to demand the sale of the house after two years

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 16:11:24 UTC.

Briefings

Portugal approved a decree allowing a single heir to force the sale of a property after two years if other heirs disagree, replacing the previous requirement for unanimous consent. The law, passed via Law 49/2026, enables independent appraisals, extrajudicial agreements, and electronic auctions, with a six-month negotiation period before potential judicial sale. The initiative aims to resolve decades-old land and housing blocks, addressing 485,000 vacant homes and 3.4 million rustic estates, though the exact number of blocked properties remains uncertain.

Key points

• The decree allows a single heir to initiate a forced sale process after two years without agreement, replacing the previous unanimous consent requirement.
• The law mandates independent appraisals and electronic auctions as the primary sale mechanism, with a six-month negotiation period before judicial sale becomes possible.

Context

This legislation resolves long-standing blocks in Portugal's housing and land markets, addressing 485,000 vacant homes and 3.4 million rustic estates. The decree aims to prevent indefinite land and housing blockages caused by family disputes, though the exact number of blocked properties remains uncertain.

Limitations

The evidence covers the approval and legislative framework but does not provide data on the number of properties actually blocked by heirs, nor does it specify the timeline for the decree's entry into force.

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