What are the State's preference rights in residential properties?

Based on the information provided, we can identify the following preference rights of the State in residential properties in Portugal:

Entities with Preference Right

The preference right in the acquisition of residential properties may be exercised by the following public entities, in this order of priority:

1. Municipalities (Municipal Councils)
2. Autonomous Regions (Madeira and Azores)
3. State

In addition to these, the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage may also have preference rights in some cases.

Conditions for Exercising the Right

The preference right of public entities applies when the residential property is located in:

1. Urban pressure zones (ZPU)
2. Areas identified in the National Housing Program with shortage or inadequacy of housing supply
3. Zones of classified heritage or in the process of classification
4. Urban rehabilitation areas

Procedure

To exercise the preference right:

1. The seller must place an online advertisement on the Casa Pronta portal.
2. Public entities have 10 days to express their intention to exercise the right.
3. If they say nothing within this deadline, it is considered that they did not exercise the preference.

Objectives

This preference right serves as an instrument for:

• Implementation of public housing policies
• Reorganization of land use
• Heritage protection
• Promotion of urban rehabilitation

It is important to note that the preference right of public entities does not override the preference right of tenants (if the property has been rented for more than 2 years) and housing and construction cooperatives.