Friday Briefing: Battle over Land Law heats up
Good morning and welcome to PORTUGAL DECODED. Today, Parliament will debate proposed changes to the Land Law, which aim to ease building restrictions in rural areas. Here's the gist.
TALK OF THE TOWN
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POLITICS
In a major embarrassment for far-right Chega, one of its MPs from the Azores has reportedly confessed to stealing luggage at Lisbon Airport and reselling it through second-hand shops online. Yes, it’s true (More).
Portugal is preparing for a wave of high-profile visits, including by French President Emmanuel Macron, the former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (More).
SOCIETY
Adding to the National Health Service’s problems, its Executive Director resigned this week after an investigation revealed that he reportedly earned more than €500,000 between 2022 and 2023 by improperly holding multiple jobs (More).
The National Director of the Judiciary Police received applause at a conference last Friday after criticizing the widespread belief that Portugal is facing a security crisis, attributing the perception to “misinformation and hybrid threats” (More).
ECONOMICS
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro assured on Monday “that there is no reason for alarm” after fuel prices in Portugal had the largest increase since 2022 (More).
Airports operator ANA presented its initial report on the new Lisbon airport, targeting a 2037 opening date. It will now begin a long negotiation with the Government over cost reduction, financing model and the project’s deadline (More).
CULTURE AND SPORTS
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon will close for renovations between March 2025 and July 2026. Until September 2025, a selection of the museum’s renowned collection will be displayed in foundation’s headquarters (More).
The Argentinian Martín Anselmi will take over as FC Porto’s manager after the club sacked Vítor Bruno after just six months on the job following a string of dramatic defeats (More).
DECODER
What does the new Land Law propose?
On December 30, while the Portuguese were still immersed in Christmas celebrations, the Government published a decree revising the Legal Framework for Territorial Management Instruments, also known as the Land Law, to address the country’s housing crisis. This decree, approved without public discussion, maintains the principle that construction is generally only allowed on urban land. However, it introduces more relaxed requirements for “exceptional” cases where rural land, including protected agricultural and ecological zones, can be reclassified as urban land. The decree specifies that construction on reclassified land must serve the needs of low- and middle-income families, with a price cap set at 125% of the municipality’s median price per square meter or 225% of the national median. Additionally, municipalities are now given sole authority to approve reclassifications, removing the need for involvement from other organizations like the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions or the Portuguese Environment Agency.
Why is the Parliament debating the decree today?
Although the President approved the decree, despite expressing concerns that it could significantly distort land use regulations, it was scheduled to take effect on January 30. However, Portugal’s Constitution allows at least 10 MPs to request a parliamentary review of any government-approved legislation within 30 days of its publication. Using this right, the left-wing Bloco de Esquerda, supported by the Communists (PCP), Ecosocialists (Livre), and Greens (PAN), has forced a Parliamentary debate on the decree, which is taking place today.
What do critics say?
Opponents argue that the decree’s national price cap is higher than the median house price in most of Portugal, which could push housing prices up rather than down. For context, the national median house price between July 2023 and June 2024 was €1,661/m², meaning the cap would allow prices of up to €3,737/m². Critics also point out that in metropolitan municipalities like Lisbon, Amadora, and Porto, there is no rural land available for reclassification, while in others rural land accounts for less than 25% of the territory. This means the decree would not address the housing crisis where it’s most severe. There are also significant environmental concerns, as the measure could harm landscapes, biodiversity, and agricultural land. Critics highlight risks to public safety, with sensitive areas like flood-prone zones, erosion-prone slopes, and water infiltration areas not fully excluded from reclassification. Some opponents question the urgency of the measure, arguing that it is already too late to use it as a means of accessing European funds, which must be spent by 2026. Others claim that the decree is based on a flawed premise, as the housing crisis is not caused by a lack of buildable land but rather by underutilized urban land that could be developed instead.
What do the decree’s defendants say?
The Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and of Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, defended the changes to the land law before a parliamentary committee this week, claiming that the new measure is “absolutely anti-speculative” and will help “lower house prices.” He argued that the reduction in available urban land in recent years has fueled speculation and that allowing a rapid increase in urban land will “strengthen the state’s capacity to promote effective, sustainable housing policies aligned with the needs of the population.” Addressing concerns about the possibility of new urban centers emerging on land currently classified as rural, the Minister dismissed this scenario, insisting, “That won’t happen,” and emphasized that any expansion will need to be consistent with existing urban areas. Regarding fears that the “exceptional regime” might lead to corruption, he assured that municipal decisions will be part of a process that is “transparent and open to full scrutiny.” He emphasized that these decisions will be subject to diverse perspectives and thorough debate within municipal assemblies.
What will happen today?
To confirm the decree in Parliament, the Government will need support from other parties. Four parties—those who forced the debate—have already announced their opposition, leaving the Government with two potential allies: the Socialists (PS) and far-right Chega. Crucially, this debate unfolds during a municipal election year in Portugal, making all three—Government, PS, and Chega—keenly aware of its potential electoral impact. The PS has stated its willingness to support a revision of the land law but only under stricter conditions. They demand that house prices remain below the national median, rather than 25% above it as currently proposed, and that urbanized areas remain contiguous to avoid scattered development. It seems likely that the decree will fail in Parliament today. If so, the Government may begin negotiations with the PS to craft a new version of the land law that, in one way or another, will relax building restrictions.
TIPS OF THE WEEK
Lisbon
Hosoe Eikoh
Quietly nestled on a small ground floor in Ajuda, a remarkable exhibition is on display until February 8—a showcase that could easily grace any world-class institution. It captures the creative meeting of two legendary figures: Japanese photographer Hosoe Eikoh and five-time Nobel Prize-nominated writer Yukio Mishima. Over several sessions in 1961 and 1962, their collaboration produced the iconic photography book Barakei, later titled Ordeal by Roses in English at Mishima’s suggestion. First published in 1963, it is now considered a classic of Japanese and universal photography. Eikoh, who passed away in 2024 at age 91, was aware of this 15-photograph exhibition in Lisbon. Location: Ochre Space, Rua da Bica do Marquês, 31 A (Ajuda). Open Wednesday to Saturday, 3:00–6:30 p.m. Free entry.
Porto
Rivoli Theatre’s 93rd Anniversary
Rivoli Theatre turns 93 years old and there’s a lot to celebrate. On Friday and Saturday, the theatre presents the national premiere of Benjamin Abel Meirhaeghe’s Madrigals, in which the director brings Claudio Monteverdi’s Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi to life in a musical show. Between Thursday and Saturday, younger audiences and families can enjoy Casio Tone Reprise by Sílvia Real & Sérgio Pelágio. On Saturday and Sunday, Rivoli presents The Complete National Anthems of the World by Carlos Azeredo Mesquita, which will allow you to listen to a capella recordings of national anthems, between 15:00 and 21:00. The party will end Saturday night on the dance floor with a DJ set by Batida. Rivoli's 93rd anniversary is free to attend, but tickets must be collected on the days of the screenings, from 10am, at the usual points of sale. More information here.
São João da Madeira
Hat Museum Reopening
Closed for about six months for renovation, the Hat Museum in São João da Madeira reopens this Saturday, the 25th, at 14h30, with two new exhibitions: Dior in Portuguese Women’s Press—featuring the fashion of French designer Christian Dior as showcased in magazines such as Eva, Modas & Bordados, Vida Feminina, and Voga—and Dior Hats, in partnership with the Christian Dior Museum in France. Both exhibitions will be open to visitors until April 20. More information here.
Lisbon, Montemor-o-Novo and Évora
Levantado do Chão Literary Itinerary
Calling all José Saramago fans: From January 31 to February 2, the José Saramago Foundation will host three thematic tours inspired by the Nobel laureate’s novel Raised from the Ground. These Raised from the Ground Literary Itineraries will take participants to key locations featured in the novel, offering historical and social context, enriched by testimonies from the people who inspired its characters and stories. The tour will also explore Saramago’s time in Lavre, where he spent months in 1976 gathering material for what became his first major work. To reserve your spot, email: apoio@josesaramago.org.
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So many great links. I used to live next to Ochre space and never visited. Now I definitely want to go.