What it is
The Prior Information Request (Pedido de Informação Prévia, PIP) asks the Municipality whether a given operation — for example, building a house with a certain floor area and number of storeys — is feasible on a specific plot.
When the answer is favourable, the information given by the Municipality remains valid for a period defined by law, which gives security to anyone buying or investing.
When it pays off
Before buying a plot whose potential is unclear; when the plot has constraints (protected areas, easements, agricultural or ecological reserves); or when the investment is large and you want to keep risk to a minimum.
What it should include
A proposal clear enough for the Municipality to give an opinion: siting, areas, number of storeys, uses and access. The more concrete the request, the more useful the answer.
Our recommendation
A well-prepared PIP costs a fraction of a full design and can stop you buying a plot where you cannot build what you want. If in doubt, talk to us before you sign.