Chapter I · Scope of the tax

Article 2 Definition of property

Artigo 2.º · Conceito de prédio

Código do Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis · annex I to Decree-Law No. 287/2003 · consolidated text checked 26 October 2026

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1. For the purposes of this Code, a property is any portion of territory, including the waters, plantations, buildings and constructions of any kind incorporated in it or resting on it on a permanent basis, provided that it forms part of the assets of a natural or legal person and, under normal circumstances, has economic value, as well as waters, plantations, buildings or constructions which, in the foregoing circumstances, have economic autonomy in relation to the land on which they stand, even if they are located on a portion of territory that forms an integral part of different assets or is not in the nature of an asset.

1 - Para efeitos do presente Código, prédio é toda a fracção de território, abrangendo as águas, plantações, edifícios e construções de qualquer natureza nela incorporados ou assentes, com carácter de permanência, desde que faça parte do património de uma pessoa singular ou colectiva e, em circunstâncias normais, tenha valor económico, bem como as águas, plantações, edifícios ou construções, nas circunstâncias anteriores, dotados de autonomia económica em relação ao terreno onde se encontrem implantados, embora situados numa fracção de território que constitua parte integrante de um património diverso ou não tenha natureza patrimonial.

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2. Buildings or constructions, even if movable by nature, are deemed to be permanent when they are used for non-transitory purposes.

2 - Os edifícios ou construções, ainda que móveis por natureza, são havidos como tendo carácter de permanência quando afectos a fins não transitórios.

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3. Buildings or constructions are presumed to be permanent when they have stood on the same site for a period of more than one year.

3 - Presume-se o carácter de permanência quando os edifícios ou construções estiverem assentes no mesmo local por um período superior a um ano.

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4. For the purposes of this tax, each separate unit (fração autónoma) under condominium ownership (propriedade horizontal) is deemed to constitute a property.

4 - Para efeitos deste imposto, cada fracção autónoma, no regime de propriedade horizontal, é havida como constituindo um prédio.

What we checked in this article

Check the elements of the definition of property (permanence, economic value, economic autonomy) and the one-year presumption of permanence.

Own property in Portugal? Article 2 sets the yearly bill.

We check property valuations and IMI and AIMI assessments, apply for exemptions, handle complaints against valuations and plan ownership through individuals or companies, in English. A written answer and a fixed quote within one working day.

Unofficial English translation prepared by BCA Portugal for reference. Only the Portuguese text published in the Diário da República has legal force. Editorial notes are ours and are not part of the statute.

Applying the law

Annual property tax in Portugal, checked and kept low

IMI depends on the taxable value the tax office assigns and on the municipality; AIMI depends on who owns what. Send us the property records and we will check the valuation, the exemptions and the ownership structure.

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