Does the law allow pets at home?
Yes. In Portugal, the law allows dogs and cats in any type of home — apartment, house or other — provided that hygiene, animal welfare and neighbourhood tranquillity conditions are met. The legal basis is Article 3 of Decree-Law No. 314/2003, of 17 December.
How many animals can I have in an apartment?
In urban buildings (apartments), the limits are:
- Up to 3 adult dogs per unit
- Up to 4 adult cats per unit
- Maximum of 4 animals in total — combining dogs and cats
Practical examples:
- 2 dogs + 2 cats = 4 animals ✅ allowed
- 3 dogs + 1 cat = 4 animals ✅ allowed
- 3 dogs + 2 cats = 5 animals ❌ not allowed
- 2 dogs + 3 cats = 5 animals ❌ not allowed
What about a house or villa?
In rustic or mixed buildings (houses, villas), the limit is up to 6 adult animals in total, with no species-specific limit. Unlike apartments, the law does not distinguish between dogs and cats.
Above 6 animals, no prior authorisation is required. The criteria are that the size of the land allows it and that good housing conditions are guaranteed, without public health risks — namely absence of environmental pollution and disease transmission risk. If these conditions are not met, the local council may intervene and notify the owner to remove the animals.
Can I have more animals than the limit in an apartment?
Yes, exceptionally. In an apartment, it is possible to keep up to 6 adult animals, but only if all of the following requirements are met simultaneously:
- Formal request by the owner to the local council
- Binding favourable opinion from the municipal veterinarian and the health delegate
- Verification that all hygiene and animal welfare conditions are met
Can the condominium impose stricter rules?
It depends — and there is an important distinction that many people are unaware of:
The owners' association cannot prohibit animals in private units through a simple resolution or condominium rules. The regulations approved at an owners' meeting (under Article 1429-A of the Civil Code) are intended only for the management of the building's common areas — corridors, gardens, lifts. They have no authority over the interior of apartments.
The constitutive title of horizontal property is different. If the prohibition or limitation of animals is inscribed in that original document (under Article 1418, paragraph 2, subparagraph b) of the Civil Code), all unit owners are bound to comply. To amend the constitutive title, unanimity of all owners is required through a public deed (Article 1419, paragraph 1).
In practice: before acquiring an animal, check the constitutive title of your building — not an owners' meeting resolution, but the original document constituting the horizontal property. If in doubt, consult a lawyer.
What about rented accommodation?
This is the most complex question. There is no law that explicitly prohibits landlords from including a clause banning animals in the rental agreement. In practice:
- If the contract prohibits animals, the landlord may object to their presence
- If the contract is silent, there is no legal prohibition
- There have been court cases where prohibition clauses were considered void, particularly when the animal was proven to be important for the health of a household member
Important exception: Landlords cannot prohibit assistance animals — guide dogs or animals that, with medical justification, contribute to the wellbeing of people with special needs.
For disputes with your landlord, we recommend consulting a lawyer.
Noise and hygiene rules
Hygiene — the owner is responsible for ensuring that the accommodation does not create risks to public health or the neighbourhood, namely absence of bad smells, environmental pollution or disease transmission risk.
Noise — under Decree-Law No. 9/2007 (General Noise Regulations), the owner is responsible for ensuring their animal does not disturb the neighbourhood's peace. If it does:
- Between 11pm and 7am — authorities may order immediate cessation of the noise
- Between 7am and 11pm — authorities may set a deadline to resolve the situation
In case of non-compliance, the owner may face an environmental administrative offence.
What happens if you don't comply?
If the limits are exceeded or hygiene conditions are not met, the local council may:
- Notify the owner to remove the animals to a collection centre within a set deadline
- In case of resistance, request a court order to enter the home and remove the animals
Fines under Article 14 of Decree-Law No. 314/2003:
- Individuals: between €50 and €3,740
Summary
- Apartment: maximum 3 dogs or 4 cats, never more than 4 animals in total
- House: maximum 6 animals in total, no species limit
- With special council authorisation: up to 6 animals in an apartment
- The owners' association cannot prohibit animals in units — only the constitutive title can
- Rental: the contract may prohibit animals — always read before signing
- Assistance animals: can never be prohibited
- Noise between 11pm and 7am: authorities may order immediate cessation
- Fine for non-compliance: up to €3,740 for individuals
Sources
- Decree-Law No. 314/2003, of 17 December — Diário da República
- Decree-Law No. 9/2007, of 17 January — General Noise Regulations
- Portuguese Civil Code — Horizontal Property (Articles 1418, 1419, 1429-A)
- Order of Lawyers — Animals and the Portuguese horizontal property regime
- DGAV — Pet Animals