Portugal passes decree-law to unblock disputed inherited properties

Portugal's Council of Ministers ratified a decree-law that revises the regime governing indivisible inheritances. Under the new rule, if heirs cannot reach consensus, a single heir may petition for the property to be sold after a two-year stalemate. The government presented the reform as a way to unlock houses that sit empty because of disagreements among multiple heirs.

Ministers highlighted that many vacant homes are tied up in such inheritance conflicts, preventing them from entering the market. By enabling forced sales, the law seeks to increase the supply of habitable housing. The announcement was made by António Leitão Amaro at a press conference.