Energy Certificate Requirements for Rentals in Portugal: A Complete Guide

The certificado energético is a digital document generated through the Sistema de Certificação Energética dos Edifícios (SCE) from information submitted by a qualified expert. It records the building's energy performance and energy class.

Under DL 101-D/2020, certification generally applies when a building is rented. For a building in horizontal property, certification is normally performed for the autonomous fraction being rented. The law contains exceptions, including a landlord's habitual residence rented for less than four months and a new rental to the person who was already the tenant immediately before it. Other building-specific exceptions may also apply, so do not describe the rule as covering every rental without exception.

Where certification applies, the owner must provide a copy of the certificate, or digital access to its information, before a promissory rental agreement or rental agreement is concluded, and provide the original before the definitive contract. Advertising for the transaction must show the energy class. A standard energy certificate is generally valid for 10 years, but shorter periods apply to certain certificate and building types.

The process for obtaining an energy certificate involves:

1. Confirm that certification applies — Check the transaction and building against the scope and exceptions in DL 101-D/2020 2. Find a qualified expert — Use the official SCE/ADENE register to locate a perito qualificado 3. Arrange the required visit — The qualified expert must visit the building or fraction to collect and verify the information needed for certification 4. Receive and verify the certificate — The digital certificate is generated through the Portal SCE and should be registered there

Fees and scheduling depend on the qualified expert and the property, so request a written quote and expected delivery date. Plan the work before advertising and contracting: where certification applies, the advertisement must display the energy class and the tenant must receive the required information before the contract is concluded.

The certificate gives prospective tenants standardized information about the property's assessed energy performance. It also identifies building components and measures that may improve energy performance, comfort, or energy needs.

Use the certificate to compare properties, but do not treat the class as a guaranteed utility bill. Actual consumption depends on occupancy, weather, energy prices, equipment, and how the home is used. Recommendations in the certificate identify possible improvements; they are not a promise that the landlord will carry them out.