Neighbours, noise and building works: living in a Portuguese apartment block

Newcomers commonly report questions about:

• Quiet hours. There is no single rule that everything must be silent at a set time, but the police can order neighbourhood noise to stop immediately between 23:00 and 7:00.
• Renovation noise. Building works inside residential buildings are allowed on working days between 8:00 and 20:00, with the expected duration posted in the building; noisy works are not allowed at weekends.

The noise regulation

The General Noise Regulation (Regulamento Geral do Ruído, Decree-Law 9/2007) sets rules for neighbourhood noise, building works, businesses and other activities. According to the consumer association DECO:

• between 23:00 and 7:00, the PSP or GNR police can order neighbourhood noise such as loud music or parties to stop immediately;
• during the day, the police can set a deadline for the nuisance to end;
• recovery, remodelling or maintenance works inside residential buildings may take place on working days from 8:00 to 20:00 without a special licence, and the person responsible must post the expected duration where residents can see it;
• temporary noisy activities near homes, including non-urgent works, are generally prohibited at weekends and on public holidays.

Raising an issue

DECO suggests that you can ask the PSP or GNR to intervene when noise persists or is excessive, without needing prior measurements.

• Neighbourhoods. Noise levels differ a lot between streets and parishes; visit at night before you rent.
• Special licences. For temporary noisy activities such as works or events, a special noise licence can be requested from the town hall (câmara municipal).