Key points
- Portugal's building energy certification system (SCE) is governed by Decree-Law 101-D/2020, amended most recently by Decree-Law 11/2025.
- Every new building must meet the NZEB standard (nearly zero-energy building).
- Certificates are issued by a qualified expert (Perito Qualificado) under the official SCE methodology.
- The energy class must appear in EVERY commercial advertisement, for sale or rent.
- Large service buildings carry their own duties: minimum class C, improvement plans and monitoring reports.
What is the exact legal framework?
Decree-Law 101-D/2020 of 7 December transposes the EU building energy performance requirements and organises the certification system (SCE). It has been amended several times — most recently by Decree-Law 11/2025.
What does NZEB mean for a new project?
Very low energy needs, significantly covered by renewables — decided at sketch stage (orientation, envelope, solar protection) and in systems. NZEB compliance conditions licensing and resale value.
Who issues the certificate?
A registered Perito Qualificado, applying the official SCE manual. Mandatory for new buildings and upon sale or rental.
What about advertisements?
The energy class must be stated in all commercial listings. Narrow exemptions exist (co-owner sales, insolvency transfers, ruins, total demolition).
Energy performance has become a component of value — licensing, marketing, financing and, increasingly, liquidity. In our Portuguese analysis grids, the 2020 → 2025 regulatory trajectory is treated as market data, not a formality. Article d'information générale, vérifié à la date de publication. La réglementation évolue : chaque opération appelle l'analyse de conseils locaux habilités.