In Portugal, tenants have the right to terminate lease agreements, but must comply with specific advance notice periods established in the Civil Code. Here are the main rules:
Termination by the Tenant
According to Article 1103 of the Civil Code, the tenant may terminate the lease agreement at any time, provided they give advance notice to the landlord. The advance notice periods vary according to the contract duration:
- 120 days: For contracts with a duration equal to or greater than 1 year
- 60 days: For contracts with a duration equal to or greater than 6 months and less than 1 year
- 30 days: For contracts with a duration less than 6 months
Important Considerations
- The tenant must communicate the termination intention in writing to the landlord, respecting the advance notice periods mentioned above.
- If the tenant does not comply with the advance notice period, they may be required to pay compensation equivalent to the rent for the period not observed.
- The tenant is also responsible for returning the property in the same condition as received, except for normal wear and tear.
These rules aim to protect both parties, ensuring that the landlord has sufficient time to find a new tenant, while allowing the tenant flexibility to terminate the contract when necessary.