Energy Certificate Requirements for Rentals in Portugal: A Complete Guide

The certificado energético (energy performance certificate) is a mandatory document that rates a property's energy efficiency on a scale from A+ (most efficient) to F (least efficient). It is issued under the Sistema de Certificação Energética dos Edifícios (SCE), Portugal's national energy certification system.

Since the introduction of DL 118/2013 and reinforced by Lei 56/2023 (Mais Habitação), landlords must provide a valid energy certificate before signing any new rental contract. The certificate must be shown to prospective tenants and its number included in rental advertisements.

The certificate is valid for 10 years and must be issued by a certified expert (perito qualificado) registered with ADENE, the national energy agency.

The process for obtaining an energy certificate involves:

1. Find a certified expert — Search the ADENE database (adene.pt) for qualified technicians (peritos qualificados) in your area 2. Schedule an inspection — The expert visits the property to assess insulation, windows, heating/cooling systems, hot water, and ventilation 3. Receive the certificate — After inspection, the certificate is registered in the SCE system and assigned a unique code 4. Cost — Typically €100–€300 depending on property size and location. Studio apartments (T0) are at the lower end; larger properties cost more

The inspection takes approximately 1-2 hours. The certificate is usually issued within a few business days. Landlords should plan ahead — obtaining the certificate after signing the lease is not compliant.

Important: The certificate number must appear in any property advertisements (online listings, agency postings) under Portuguese advertising regulations.

The energy rating directly impacts a tenant's living costs:

Tenants should factor the energy rating into their rental decision. A cheaper rent in an F-rated property may result in higher overall costs once heating and cooling are included. The certificate also lists specific improvement recommendations that could make the property more efficient.

Under Mais Habitação, the government has signaled that minimum energy standards for rental properties may be introduced in the future, following trends in other EU countries.

CompliantLease integrates energy certificate compliance into the lease creation workflow:

By making the energy certificate a required field rather than optional, CompliantLease ensures landlords cannot accidentally generate a non-compliant lease.