câmara municipal

Published 4 November 2026, 18:37

The town hall: the executive body of the municipality (município), one level above the junta de freguesia. It handles building and occupancy permits, bulky waste collection, parking, school transport and meals, nurseries and summer camps. The municipality sets the IMI rate every year within legal limits, but the rate is approved by the assembleia municipal on the câmara's proposal. That is why the tax on similar flats differs between neighbouring municipalities.

Where you come across it. Property permits and certificates, signing up for camps and school benefits, furniture collection, local charges and fines.

The câmara municipal and the junta de freguesia are not the same thing: the certificate of residence is issued by the junta, while matters relating to your home are dealt with by the câmara. The assembleia municipal is made up of local councillors: they approve the budget and the IMI rate, but do not deal with residents' everyday matters. School applications are made through the Portal das Matrículas, not at the town hall; the câmara steps in when there are no places at the chosen schools and the child has to be placed elsewhere in the municipality.

Official website: info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/informacao_fiscal/codigos_tributarios/cimi/Pages/cimi112a.aspx

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