# Algarve Build

> Construction and Renovation in Southern Portugal

## About

Algarve Build provides practical guidance for building, renovating, and developing property in the Algarve region of Portugal. The site covers planning rules, licensing procedures, construction costs, and renovation advice.

## Key Topics

- Planning and Zoning: PDM classification, REN/RAN reserves, heritage zones, environmental constraints
- Licences: Urban Simplex (Decree-Law 10/2024), comunicacao previa, full licenciamento, habitation licence
- Renovation: Structural surveys, hiring architects and builders, energy certification, asbestos, seismic retrofitting
- New Build Process: Land due diligence, architecture project, speciality projects, construction, completion
- Costs: Build costs EUR 800-1,200/m2, renovation EUR 500-900/m2, architect fees 5-10%

## Important Facts

- The Algarve has 16 camaras municipais (municipal councils)
- Urban Simplex (March 2024) simplified licensing: tacit approval after 120 days for comunicacao previa, longer for full licenciamento
- Architects must be registered with the Ordem dos Arquitectos (OA)
- Builders must hold an IMPIC alvara de construcao
- The Algarve is seismically active (zones 1.3, 2.3, 2.4 under Eurocode 8)
- REN and RAN land is generally unbuildable
- Coastal setback: 50m minimum from high-water mark (Dominio Publico Maritimo)

## Pages

- /: Homepage with planning, licences, renovation, costs, and FAQ
- /planning/: Planning and zoning overview
- /planning/pdm: Plano Director Municipal guide
- /planning/ren-ran: REN and RAN ecological and agricultural reserves
- /planning/heritage: Heritage zones and DGPC rules
- /planning/environmental: Natura 2000, Ria Formosa, environmental impact
- /planning/fire-risk: Fire risk zones and defensible space
- /planning/coastal: Coastal setback and DPM rules
- /licences/: Licensing overview
- /licences/urban-simplex: Urban Simplex (Decree-Law 10/2024) guide
- /licences/comunicacao-previa: Prior communication procedure
- /licences/licenciamento: Full licensing process
- /licences/utilizacao: Habitation licence
- /renovation/: Renovation overview
- /renovation/structural-survey: Structural survey guide
- /renovation/architect: Hiring an architect
- /renovation/builder: Hiring a builder with IMPIC alvara
- /renovation/energy-certificate: SCE energy certification
- /renovation/asbestos: Asbestos survey and removal
- /renovation/seismic: Seismic retrofitting to Eurocode 8
- /renovation/swimming-pools: Pool licensing and safety
- /renovation/solar-panels: Solar panels and UPAC regime
- /costs: Construction and renovation cost guide
- /faq: Frequently asked questions
- /about: About page
- /terms: Terms of use
- /privacy: Privacy policy

## Contact

Website: https://www.algarve.build/