Portugal is attractive for a custom home, but it is not a simpler version of Spain. The licensing system, the role of engineers, the PDM framework, and each Câmara’s rhythm all affect what can be built and when. Olena leads concept design, client communication, and design coordination, while architects registered with the Ordem dos Arquitectos and the required engineers deliver the regulated project stages in Portugal.
The Portuguese building system
In Portugal, the architectural project passes through the Câmara Municipal (city council) for licensing. The process involves several stages: pedido de informação prévia (preliminary information request), projeto de arquitetura (architectural project submission), projetos de especialidades (engineering specialty projects — structural, electrical, plumbing, thermal, acoustic), alvará de construção (construction permit), and acompanhamento de obra (construction supervision). Portuguese municipalities are generally more digital than Spanish ones, but processing times can still stretch to 6 to 12 months in larger cities.
Regions we cover in Portugal
We work across the regions most popular with international clients: Lisbon and Cascais for urban and suburban living, Porto and northern Portugal for culture and value, the Algarve for coastal villas and resort-style homes, Comporta and Setúbal for design-conscious buyers seeking quieter alternatives, and Madeira for year-round climate and island living. Each area has its own PDM (Plano Director Municipal), which governs what can be built, where, and how tall.