The urban planning team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados ‘has distinguished itself over the years for its in-depth knowledge and vast experience in this area’, focusing on developing strategies for key public and private projects across the real estate, tourism and construction sectors. It regularly provides support with licensing matters, negotiations and strategic planning, under the leadership of João Tiago Silveira and João Pereira Reis. Reis is ‘experienced, thoughtful and has vast knowledge in the areas of administrative law, public law and urban planning’. Silveira is an administrative law specialist. Rui Ribeiro Lima, who entered the partnership in 2023, is a licensing expert who is particularly involved in the construction sector.

‘Known in the national legal scene for the quality of its team’, PLMJ assists with urban and territorial planning across the energy, real estate and tourism sectors in Portugal and Lusophone Africa. The practice is led by Andreia Candeias Mousinho, who ‘stands out for her in-depth knowledge of urban planning law’, and is skilled in handling licensing issues, regulatory disputes and due diligence procedures. Following the July 2023 integration of the eponymous firm, Sofia Galvão, a leading authority in planning law, bolstered the team with her wealth of experience in tourism, construction, and public procurement mandates. Luís Moitinho de Almeida made the move as well, showcasing skill in planning, real estate, construction energy and environmental matters. Benedita Lacerda focuses on administrative law and the planning of major tourism development, while Micaela Giestas Salvador advises on a range of real estate development projects.

Led by real estate specialist Nuno Sá Carvalho, Cuatrecasas ‘has a very strong team in the urban planning area’, which focuses on assisting entities in the real estate, tourism and energy sectors with the full gamut of matters. It is equipped to handle licensing issues, contractual negotiations and civil litigation. Sara Quaresma focuses on urban regeneration and construction, while Hugo Nunes is a lawyer with ‘unparalleled knowledge of this area’ who is heavily involved in major development projects.

Gonçalo Reino Pires spearheads the practice at Uría Menéndez, which specialises in assisting private sector clients with urban planning and licensing issues for real estate and tourism developments. Pires is an ‘excellent professional’, who is knowledgeable of all the necessary planning instruments related to the acquisition or development of significant projects. Susana Piteira Santos, who joined from pbbr - Sociedade de Advogados RL in March 2024, focuses on the development phase of major real estate projects, while Miguel Faria Ferreira ‘stands out for his assertiveness, firmness and communication’.

VdA stands ‘out for its personalised approach and commitment to excellence’, assisting clients with municipal planning, licensing and the negotiation of complex contracts. Jointly led by Raul Mota Cerveira and Miguel Marques dos Santos, the team acts for a varied client base that features multinational tech conglomerates, public entities, investment funds and real estate developers. Cerveira is an administrative law specialist, who is experienced in planning matters across Portugal and Lusophone African jurisdictions, most notably São Tomé e Príncipe. Santos, who was promoted to department co-head in January 2024, focuses on real estate matters. Pedro Ferreirinha excels in the development of prime real estate projects.

Sara de Almeida Barroso, described as the ‘engine and brain’ of the planning practice at CMS, leads her team in advising investment funds, real estate developers, and financial institutions on a wide range of matters. The team’s service offering encompasses regulatory work, licensing and environmental impact assessments. Barroso brings extensive experience in urban and environmental planning, project management, regulatory issues and litigation involving residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is active in the urban development of several domestically significant real estate projects, ranging from residential plots to office buildings. Sofia Rodrigues Nunes spearheads the practice and has longstanding experience acting for financial institutions, municipal authorities and investment funds. She frequently assists clients with licensing procedures, regulatory issues and the drafting of urban development contracts.

SRS Legal leverages extensive administrative law experience to assist public authorities, multinational energy corporations and investment funds with the full gamut of planning matters. Practice head Alexandre Roque is well versed in urban planning matters, public procurement and design tenders, and also excels in regulatory and administrative disputes. José Luís Moreira da Silva is a name to note for projects and environmental work.

Frequently sought after by municipal authorities, investment funds and energy companies, the multidisciplinary team at Sérvulo & Associados combines expertise in public law, real estate and environmental issues to advise on a wide array of planning matters. Leading the practice is Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues, a lawyer and architect with deep proficiency in planning, zoning and licensing matters. Filipa Névoa shines in administrative and planning law disputes, and is increasingly active in the renewable energy sector.

TELLES advises investors and developers in the real estate sector on a wide array of planning matters. Based in Porto, co-lead Pedro Almeida e Sousa combines experience in public law and real estate to advise on the gamut of planning matters, displaying particular proficiency in land development and public procurement. Fellow co-head Miguel Nogueira Leite is equipped to handle every stage of a real estate transaction, with expertise in drafting urban development contracts, resolving licensing disputes, and providing regulatory guidance.