Coimbra Streamlines Urban Planning to Attract Investment

RJUE revision focuses on speed, dematerialization, and responsibility, featuring pioneering digital tools.

Generic image of a Portuguese pavement with the blurred background of a modern office building.
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Generic image of a Portuguese pavement with the blurred background of a modern office building.

The Coimbra Municipal Council has implemented a revision of the Legal Regime for Urbanization and Construction (RJUE) focused on streamlining and making urban planning licensing more responsible, aiming to attract investment.

The RJUE revision is based on two central pillars: speed and dematerialization, through the national standardization of application forms and supporting documents by Ordinance No. 320/2026, and reinforcing the responsibility of developers in prior notification. In return, deadlines are adjusted to the complexity of operations, and self-assessment of fees is expanded.
The municipality of Coimbra undertook a cross-cutting operation, uniting the services of Urbanism, Administrative Modernization, IT, Communication, and Customer Service. This coordination allowed for the updating of dozens of forms and the centralization of documentation online, ensuring uninterrupted public service.
To comply with the new regulations and promote transparency, Coimbra has introduced innovative digital tools. The Urban Operations Fee Simulator allows for the anticipation of fees associated with land subdivision, demolitions, or licensing, eliminating budgetary surprises. Additionally, the Parking Needs Simulator facilitates rigorous verification of the Municipal Master Plan rules.
By combining the agility of the new RJUE with simulation tools and transversal leadership, Coimbra positions itself as a territory of trust, offering the predictability, legal certainty, and efficiency essential for turning projects into reality.
Based on information from the official source: Camara Municipal de Coimbra (15/10/2026)