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Portugal Environmental Impact Assessment Regime (Law 151-B/2013)

Portugal Environmental Impact Assessment Regime (Law 151-B/2013): Portugal EIA Regime: Pre-Permit Assessment and Binding Environmental Conditions

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on June 7th, 2026

Summary

Portugal’s EIA regime (Decree-Law 151-B/2013) requires listed projects to undergo environmental assessment before approval. Developers may need screening, scoping, an Environmental Impact Study, public consultation, and a binding Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) with mitigation and monitoring conditions. The system is integrated into permitting and can determine whether projects proceed, under what conditions, and with what monitoring obligations. Non-compliance is primarily a project risk: approvals can be refused or annulled, and works halted if EIA requirements are bypassed or studies are materially incomplete.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Portugal
Mandatory for

Legally binding for:

Project developers of Annex I projects (mandatory EIA).

Certain Annex II projects where screening determines significant effects.

Exemptions

Some Annex II project types may be excluded from EIA where defined exclusion conditions are met, subject to the regime’s rules and authority decision-making.

Deep dive

2 min read
Published Jun 7, 2026

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What’s Required

Portugal’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regime requires certain public and private projects likely to have significant environmental effects to undergo an EIA before development consent. Key requirements include:

  • Screening and scoping for projects listed in Annex I and Annex II.

  • Preparation of an Environmental Impact Study and public consultation, where applicable.

  • A binding Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) that sets conditions, mitigation, and monitoring requirements.

  • Integration of EIA outcomes into licensing and permitting decisions.

Important Deadlines

  • Before permitting/approval: EIA must be completed for in-scope projects.

  • Trigger-based: screening/scoping steps apply depending on project category and thresholds.

Current Status

Fully in force and continuously applied as a pre-permit requirement for listed projects.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Permit refusal, suspension, or annulment.

  • Orders to halt activities and redo procedures.

  • Administrative enforcement for starting works without the required EIA pathway.

Examples of Known Violations

  • Commencing construction or licensing steps without completing the required EIA stages.

  • Material omissions in the Environmental Impact Study led to procedural challenges and delays.

Resources

Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Jun 7, 2026 by Maílis Carrilho ·
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