decreto-lei

Published 4 November 2026, 18:37

decreto-lei (decree-law)

A law made by the government rather than parliament, either on matters within its own competence or under a specific authorisation from parliament. It has the same force as an ordinary law. The number is written like this: Decreto-Lei n.º 166/2026, meaning the 166th of 2026.

Where you come across it. Rules that authorities and the news refer to: "under decree-law such-and-such".

Before trusting a summary, find the text itself in the Diário da República and check two things: the date from which it applies and whether it has been amended since.

Official website: diariodarepublica.pt

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