Can I build on rustic land ?

adetka · 2025-09-11T19:42:05+02:00

Explore advice on building on rustic land in the Algarve, Portugal. Discuss permissions, illegal structures, and year-round living options.

adetka New member

Member since 11 September 2025

adetkaNew member11 September 2025 17:42:05

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group and i'd appreciate some advice.

I thpught I've researched enough on the topic of building permissions etc myself, but I've been getting such mixed advice recently that I feel like u don't know anything and need to start from scratch.

So, I want to relocate from UK to the Algarve, permanently. I have an EU passport. I want to buy land that I can build on, potentially few huts, possibly modular.

I want to buy with cash, no mortgage, but I'm not rich ha! I was looking at cheapest lands, but they are all rustic. I know people live on rustic land in caravans etc...

1. What's your advice on buying rustic land and changing it to residential ( and getting permission to build) is it realistically possible in Algarve?

2. What's your advice on buying land with illegal wooden house on it? Apparently the owners never had any issues...would you trust it, what documents would you ask for?

3. Do I need permission for a shed type, wooden structure ( for year round living)?

Appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert11 September 2025 18:01:57

4983

Hi @adetka, Welcome.

If you want to know whether you can build on rustic land, you should contact the town hall where the land belongs and find out about the municipal masterplan.

Don't believe everything that real estate agents or owners say to you. You need to check with the town hall yourself. To do this, you need to request the land registry (caderneta predial & certid茫o predial, see (*)) from the owner and, if possible, a map of where the land is located.

You have some support here (Please use your browser translator):

...

___

(*)

Documents to be aware of when buying a Property in Portugal

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=910754

(Post #2)

adetka New member

Member since 11 September 2025

adetkaNew member13 September 2025 10:47:24

Hi Johnny,

Thank you so much for your advice. This is something I didn't know about, so if I obtain the land registry from the owner, I can walk into the camara municipal and ask for details about the property? Do you know if this takes time etc?

Thank you for sharing links with more info, I'm going to gave a read through all of this.

Strontium Serial expat

Member since 27 April 2019

StrontiumSerial expatYesterday 23:16:45

406

If you (or your legal adviser) understand the buying process then you'll know there's a binding prommisory contract stage which vendor n buyer agree n sign etc. Both can put in clauses so "vendor supplies agreement from local council for ,.......". can be included.