Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Mrs. Julia Cravo - Economic Statistics Department /Sectoral Business Statistics
Mrs. Fatima Moreira - Economic Statistics Department /Sectoral Business Statistics
Mrs. Adelina Andrade - Head of Short Term Statistics Unit
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Mrs. Julia Cravo
Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)
Avenida António José de Almeida, 1
1000-043 Lisboa, Portugal.
Mrs. Fatima Moreira
Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)
Avenida António José de Almeida, 1
1000-043 Lisboa, Portugal.
Mrs. Adelina Andrade.
Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)
Avenida António José de Almeida, 5
1000-043 Lisboa, Portugal.
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
13 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
13 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
13 June 2025
3.1. Data description
Building permits, broken down by number of dwellings and useful floor area
3.2. Classification system
Statistics Portugal’s metadata system includes all internal classifications defined for the various types of permit characteristics collected from the municipalities.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Activity coverage:
Not applicable. The statistical unit is the permit, and all permits are reported by municipalities to Statistics Portugal.
Size coverage:
Not applicable. All permits, including those for new buildings, are submitted to Statistics Portugal, regardless the activity the investing entity.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
List and definition of variables:
The definitions follow those established in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1503/2006 (Variable No. 110) and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 588/2001.
All building permits licensed each month by the municipalities are transmitted to Statistics Portugal, including all characterisation variables as defined by national ministerial orders.
Planned changes in information collected :
No changes are currently planned regarding the collection of the previous variables.
Accounting conventions:
Calendar month.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit :
Municipality.
Observation unit(s):
Building permit (licence).
3.6. Statistical population
All building permits issued by the 308 municipalities in Portugal.
3.7. Reference area
Portugal (all 308 municipalities)
3.8. Coverage - Time
First reference date: January 2002
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of dwellings: units.
Useful floor area: square metres (m²).
Month.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis:
Ministerial Order No. 235/2013 of 24 July 2013, which implements Decree-Law No. 555/1999 of 16 December 1999, as amended by Decree-Law No. 26/2010 of 30 March 2010. Also applicable is Law No. 60/2007 of 4 September 2007.
Obligation on units to provide data:
The survey is mandatory but relies on administrative data already available in all the municipalities.
Planned changes in legal basis, obligation to respond and frame used:
No changes are planned.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are transmitted to international organisations, namely Eurostat, in compliance with European statistical requirements.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Legal framework
The National Statistical Law (”Lei 22/2008” from May 13th) establishes the main principles as well as the working methods and composition of the Statistical System.
Confidentiality
Data on building permits are based on public administrative information provided by the municipalities. As such, no confidentiality treatment is applied. Monthly results are disseminated on the Statistics Portugal website, and a quarterly press release is issued, covering both building permits and completed buildings.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
Statistics Portugal provides an advanced release calendar on its website Portal do INE offering users one quarter's advance notice of exact release dates.
In addition, a two-month advanced release calendar is published in Informação Estatística (in Portuguese).
Free copies can be requested from the contact person listed on the dissemination formats page.
8.2. Release calendar access
The release calendar is availabe at the Statistics Portugal website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Simultaneous release to all interested parties:
The data are released simultaneously to all ito all users through a press release sent to the media and by making the data available on the Statistics Portugal website Statistics Portugal - Web Portal (ine.pt) at the same time.
Identification of internal government access to data before release:
In accordance with provision 15, Chapter B of the Statistics Portugal Dissemination Policy, prior access, under embargo, to official statistical data is granted (at around 9 am of the release day) to:
the President of the Republic; and
the Directors of the Regional Statistics Offices of Madeira and the Azores, when the data allow for a NUTS 2 breakdown.
For further details, consult the Dissemination Policy document available on the Statistics Portugal website website (Dissemination policy).
Transmission to Eurostat and further use of the statistics:
Data are transmitted to Eurostat EDAMIS, 40 calendar days after the end of the reference month. This transmission coincides with the national data release.
Monthly and quarterly (more detailed data released quarterly).
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Frequency:
Quarterly press releases are available on the INE website while monthly statistical indicators are published on the homepage (Database).
Activity Coverage:
Not applicable.
Length of time series:
Data series start in January 2002, when a new Indicators System of Urban Operations was introduced, including an extended set of variables for the characterisation of buildings and dwellings. However, for core variables (such as the number of dwellings), historical series are available from January 1994.
Presentation:
Statistical indicators are disseminated by number of dwellings and floor area, broken down by type of building and geographical level (parish and municipality).
Identification of ministerial commentary on the occasion of statistical releases:
No ministerial commentary accompanies the release of data by the statistical office.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Data related to building permits is published in the "Boletim Mensal de Estatística" (Monthly Statistical Bulletin), which is available in Portuguese language for viewing or download in PDF/XLS format on the Statistics Portugal website.
The "Anuário Estatístico de Portugal" (Statistical Yearbook of Portugal) is a bilingual publication (Portuguese/English) available for purchase via Customer Support or directly from the Online Catalogue on the Statistics Portugal INE website > On Line Catalogue > General Statistics.
It can also be accessed free of charge for viewing or download (PDF/XLS) under Publications > Theme: Multithemes > Statistical Yearbook of Portugal.
Additionally, data are disseminated on the INE homepage, including:
Press releases;
Statistical indicators in Excel and CSV formats;
Access to historical data via the online database.
An annual publication, Construction and Housing Statistics, provides a comprehensive set of indicators for the construction and housing sector in Portugal. Particular focus is given to indicators on Completed Construction Works and Building Permits.
Data related to building permits is available on the database portal of the Statistics Portugal website (Database).
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
There is no public dissemination of micro data. Micro data are available for researchers, after statistical confidentiality treatment, based in a Protocol established with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, with a view to making it easier for researchers to access the statistics they need to carry out their activity.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat to be used in European aggregates and/or to be released as national data.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics:
A detailed methodological note in Portuguese only ( “Projects of building constructions and demolitions survey”) for base year 2010 is available free at INE website document nº 165.
Since this data is based on administrative data from Municipalities, Statistics Portugal made some coherence analysis, in order to guarantee the completeness of data from all the Municipalities every month (and a response rate of 100% every month).
All these procedures respect the quality policy defined in Statistics Portugal Quality Charter (only available in Portuguese language): (Missão do INE).
Data collection is based exclusively on webforms (using, in some cases XML files extracted directly from the Municipalities databases), which already includes some validation and coherence rules and controls.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The permits data for dwellings and useful floor area are derived from reliable data obtained through the Municipalities' control of licensed permits. However, Statistics Portugal conducts monthly quality control and checks to ensure data accuracy. This includes regular communication with technicians from the Municipalities to address any doubts or clarifications. The publication of results is consistently punctual.
Further methodological details and additional information can be found in section 14. As part of the quality control process, multiple plausibility checks are conducted using diverse sources.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Short-term statistics serve a wide range of national users, including the Bank of Portugal, the Ministry of Finance, academic researchers, and international institutions such as Eurostat, as well as non-institutional users.
Users express their needs through the Statistics Portugal Dissemination Unit, the official website, and the Statistics Portugal libraries.
No additional user requests have been reported beyond the data already made available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
A continuous User Satisfaction Survey is conducted by Statistics Portugal to monitor and improve the quality of its services. The survey is accessible via the INE website.
12.3. Completeness
The production of data on building permits fully complies with the Short-Term Statistics Regulation (STS-Regulation). There have been no requests for additional information beyond what is required by the regulation.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
No formal accuracy indicators are available. Nevertheless, statistical error and bias are expected to be minimal.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Response Rate:
A response rate of 100% is consistently achieved every month.
Actions to Improve Response Rate:
Currently, the indicator is disseminated within 40 days after the reference month. In cases of non-response, Municipalities are contacted by telephone or email to ensure data collection.
All new buildings are legally required to obtain a building permit.
14.1. Timeliness
The indicators are disseminated 40 days after the end of the reference month.
Timetable of data collection:
Municipalities are expected toto submit data to Statistics Portugal within 15 days following the end of the reference month.
14.2. Punctuality
All STS deadlines have been met.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to the harmonised Short-Term Statistics (STS) indices in the European Union, it is possible to compare the calculated aggregates for Portugal with those of other European countries. At national level, data are disseminated with regional disaggregation by parish and municipality, covering the entire national territory, including the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data series has been available since 2002 and is comparable over time. However, for the variable total number of dwellings, a longer time series is available, dating back to 1994.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Cross-checks are carried out using absolute STS values, comparing them with those of the previous month and the same month of the previous year. The data series, available since 2002, is consistent and comparable over time, ensuring the reliability of the statistical outputs.
15.4. Coherence - internal
All variables related to building and dwelling characteristics undergo cross-checking procedures to ensure consistency. In particular, variables V411 and V412 are verified for coherence across different types of buildings.
The cost associated is 848 hours per year. There is no additional burden as it is derived from an administrative source.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The document "Política de Revisões" (revision policy) sets out the general guidelines to be followed.
A specific revision policy for building permits was established in 2014 and was first made available in the publication "Building and Housing Statistics - 2013." This publication includes the final chapter titled "Methodology, concepts, and definitions" (in Portuguese, "Nota Metodológica, Conceitos e Definições").
The same revision policy applies to both nationally released STS data and the data transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Provision of information about revision and advance notice of major changes in methodology:
The data series is subject to regular revisions until the dissemination of annual data, which takes place in July of year N+1. An explanatory note on the revision policy for this indicator is available in the publication "Building and Housing Statistics - 2020" on pages 87 and 88. TThis document is available in Portuguese only. Statistics Portugal’s general Revision Policy outlines the applicable procedures and principles.
Typically, revisions, whether measured by Mean Revision (MR) or Mean Absolute Revision (MAR), do not exceed 3%.
18.1. Source data
Type of source:
The data source is administrative data obtained from municipalities through the Projects of building constructions and demolitions survey. This survey collects data on variables mandated by Portuguese legislation, which all municipalities are required to send to Statistics Portugal on a monthly basis, within 15 days after the end of the reference month. The variables are defined based on the administrative data already available in the municipalities for permit control purposes.
Frame on which the source is based:
The data elements used in the source are defined by the relevant legislation, primarily Governmental Law 235/2013.
Sample or censu:
Census.
The data collection is based on a census, meaning that it covers the entire population of the target group (i.e. all permits issued by all 308 municipalities).
Criteria for stratification:
Not applicable.
Threshold values and percentages:
Not applicable.
Frequency of updating the sample:
Not applicable.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected on a monthly basis from the municipalities.
18.3. Data collection
Questionnaires used in the survey:
The survey uses questionnaires that incorporate the variables specified in the applicable Ministerial Order. These variables are based on administrative data already available in the municipalities for construction permit control purposes.
Planned changes in national questionnaires:
Planned changes include the introduction of a new variable: the construction start date.
Data collection media:
The survey is conducted using an electronic questionnaire, typically in the form of a webform. In some cases, data are extracted directly from municipal databases in XML format. All data are submitted electronically to Statistics Portugal, with a 100% submission rate.
Planned changes in data collection methodology:.
The planned methodological change involves incorporating the construction start date as a new variable in the data collection process.
18.4. Data validation
Each permit undergoes validation for all variables to ensure data coherence.
Data validation is carried out through coherence rules implemented in the webforms and during the data submission process. For Municipalities using XML, their IT tools have been adjusted to incorporate the same validation rules as those present in the webforms. Additionally, validations are applied in the Data Warehouse for macro-data analysis.
18.5. Data compilation
Every month, all municipalities promptly submit the data to Statistics Portugal, eliminating the need for estimating non-responses or late responses.
Estimates for non-response:
Not applicable.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels:
Not applicable.
Type of index:
Not applicable (data is expressed in total number of dwelling/ floor area).
Method of weighting and chaining:
Not applicable.
Planned changes in production methods:
No changes expected in the near future.
Frequency of weight update:
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
Building permits, broken down by number of dwellings and useful floor area
13 June 2025
List and definition of variables:
The definitions follow those established in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1503/2006 (Variable No. 110) and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 588/2001.
All building permits licensed each month by the municipalities are transmitted to Statistics Portugal, including all characterisation variables as defined by national ministerial orders.
Planned changes in information collected :
No changes are currently planned regarding the collection of the previous variables.
Accounting conventions:
Calendar month.
Reporting unit :
Municipality.
Observation unit(s):
Building permit (licence).
All building permits issued by the 308 municipalities in Portugal.
Portugal (all 308 municipalities)
Month.
No formal accuracy indicators are available. Nevertheless, statistical error and bias are expected to be minimal.
Number of dwellings: units.
Useful floor area: square metres (m²).
Every month, all municipalities promptly submit the data to Statistics Portugal, eliminating the need for estimating non-responses or late responses.
Estimates for non-response:
Not applicable.
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels:
Not applicable.
Type of index:
Not applicable (data is expressed in total number of dwelling/ floor area).
Method of weighting and chaining:
Not applicable.
Planned changes in production methods:
No changes expected in the near future.
Frequency of weight update:
Not applicable.
Type of source:
The data source is administrative data obtained from municipalities through the Projects of building constructions and demolitions survey. This survey collects data on variables mandated by Portuguese legislation, which all municipalities are required to send to Statistics Portugal on a monthly basis, within 15 days after the end of the reference month. The variables are defined based on the administrative data already available in the municipalities for permit control purposes.
Frame on which the source is based:
The data elements used in the source are defined by the relevant legislation, primarily Governmental Law 235/2013.
Sample or censu:
Census.
The data collection is based on a census, meaning that it covers the entire population of the target group (i.e. all permits issued by all 308 municipalities).
Criteria for stratification:
Not applicable.
Threshold values and percentages:
Not applicable.
Frequency of updating the sample:
Not applicable.
Monthly and quarterly (more detailed data released quarterly).
The indicators are disseminated 40 days after the end of the reference month.
Timetable of data collection:
Municipalities are expected toto submit data to Statistics Portugal within 15 days following the end of the reference month.
Due to the harmonised Short-Term Statistics (STS) indices in the European Union, it is possible to compare the calculated aggregates for Portugal with those of other European countries. At national level, data are disseminated with regional disaggregation by parish and municipality, covering the entire national territory, including the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.
The data series has been available since 2002 and is comparable over time. However, for the variable total number of dwellings, a longer time series is available, dating back to 1994.
