Architect Sounds Alarm Over New Soil Law: Will Housing Prices Soar?

Architect Raises Concerns Over New Soil Law

Helena Roseta, a former deputy and housing expert, is calling on parliament members to exercise their constitutional power to scrutinize the government regarding the recent changes to the soil law. This amendment, which was quietly introduced during the holiday season, allows the construction of housing on private rural land, a move Roseta believes will lead to increased housing prices.

Helena Roseta fears the new soil law will raise housing prices and criticizes the measure that passed without public debate. (Photo: Paula Nunes / ECO)

In her opinion piece published in the newspaper Público, titled "The Great Distortion", Roseta highlights that this policy opens the door to territorial disorder and exacerbated housing costs. She emphasizes that the new regulation, published on December 30, is not a minor change but a significant distortion. It permits the construction of housing without altering existing municipal plans, now extending to private rural land.

Roseta points out that while the new law retains some restrictions from national agricultural and ecological reserves, it mandates that at least 70% of constructed areas must be for ‘moderate-value’ housing. However, she critiques the definition of 'moderate value', which is set at a price not exceeding 125% of the median sale price in the municipality or 225% of the national median. This, she argues, allows for sale prices that are already prohibitive for many Portuguese citizens seeking homes.

“The new regulation will go into effect without citizen scrutiny, public debate, or parliamentary approval. It is time for the deputies to act. They have ten days to request parliamentary review of the diploma, which can be confirmed, amended, or rejected by the Parliament,” Roseta challenges.

The new soil law, approved in the Council of Ministers on November 28, is part of the government’s “Build Portugal” plan, which replaces the previous “More Housing” initiative from the António Costa administration. The current government argues that the greater availability of land will facilitate the creation of housing solutions that meet controlled cost criteria, ultimately promoting social equity and ensuring that Portuguese families have access to dignified housing.

Days prior, on December 26, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged the measure as a “significant distortion” but justified its approval due to the urgency of utilizing European funds and fostering housing construction.

This news was updated at 7:41 AM with additional information.