Story perspectives

Portugal passes law letting heir force sale of vacant homes

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Portugal's Parliament approved a bill letting a single heir force the sale of property, passing with PSD, CDS-PP and PS support; Chega abstained; PCP, BE and Livre opposed.
Lawmakers say the law targets 485,000 vacant family homes and 3.4 million rural properties.
Ministers have 180 days to amend the Civil and Procedure Codes; the law excludes homes with a surviving spouse unless consent, bars insolvent estates and lets an executor liquidate estates.

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Story summary

Portugal's Parliament approved a bill letting a single heir force the sale of property, passing with PSD, CDS-PP and PS support; Chega abstained; PCP, BE and Livre opposed.
Lawmakers say the law targets 485,000 vacant family homes and 3.4 million rural properties.
Ministers have 180 days to amend the Civil and Procedure Codes; the law excludes homes with a surviving spouse unless consent, bars insolvent estates and lets an executor liquidate estates.