Lease Termination Letter Template for Portugal (Free, 2026)

The simplest and safest way for a landlord in Portugal to end a lease is not to renew it: the letter of opposition to renewal (article 1097 of the Civil Code) needs no reason, only to reach the tenant within the legal notice period. It is below, in Portuguese as it must be sent, ready to copy, with a paragraph by paragraph explanation in English.

Letter of opposition to renewal: not renewing the lease (article 1097)

Carta registada com aviso de receção · Art. 1097.º CC

[Cidade], [Data]

Assunto: Oposição à renovação do contrato de arrendamento

Exmo./Exma. Sr./Sra. [Nome do inquilino],

Na qualidade de senhorio do imóvel sito na [Morada completa], venho por este meio notificá-lo/a, nos termos do artigo 1097.º do Código Civil, da minha oposição à renovação do contrato de arrendamento com início em [Data de início do contrato], cujo próximo termo ocorre em [Data de fim / próxima renovação].

Nos termos legais, o contrato cessará na referida data, não havendo lugar a renovação automática. Solicito que proceda à entrega do imóvel livre e devoluto de pessoas e bens até [Data de saída = data de fim do contrato].

Esta notificação é efetuada com a antecedência legalmente exigida, nos termos do artigo 1097.º n.º 1 do Código Civil.

Com os melhores cumprimentos,

[Nome do senhorio]
NIF: [NIF do senhorio]
[Contacto (opcional)]

Make the letter with the lease dates

Two dates and you know the notice period and the day the letter has to reach the tenant by. Then you confirm the names and the address, and we print and send it through CTT with acknowledgment of receipt. 14.99 EUR all included.

Deadline: enter the start date and the renewal date.

Already filled it in yourself? Upload the PDF and we send it →

The deadlines are strict If you do not send the letter within the legal deadline, the lease renews automatically for another period. There is no second chance: you have to wait for another full renewal cycle.

What is the minimum notice period?

Lease duration	Minimum prior notice
6 months to 1 year	60 days
Under 6 months	1/3 of the agreed duration
1 to 6 years	120 days (4 months)
Over 6 years	240 days (8 months)

The notice period counts from the date the tenant receives the letter, not the date you post it. CTT delivery is on their own timeline and is not guaranteed, normally 1 to 7 days, so send with extra margin.

What this letter says, paragraph by paragraph

"[Cidade], [Data]": the city where you are writing the letter and today's date. Standard opening of a formal Portuguese letter.
"Assunto: Oposição à renovação do contrato de arrendamento": the subject line. It states that the letter is an opposition to the renewal of the lease agreement.
"Exmo./Exma. Sr./Sra. [Nome do inquilino]": the formal salutation, "Dear Mr./Ms." followed by the tenant's full name as it appears in the lease.
First main paragraph: you identify yourself as the landlord of the property at the address given, and formally notify the tenant, under article 1097 of the Civil Code, of your opposition to the renewal of the lease. It states the start date of the contract and the date on which the current term ends (the next renewal date).
Second main paragraph: it states that, under the law, the lease will end on that date and will not renew automatically, and it asks the tenant to hand back the property free of people and belongings by the stated move-out date (normally the end date of the lease).
Third main paragraph: it confirms that the notification is being made with the notice period legally required by article 1097(1) of the Civil Code. This sentence matters because respecting the notice period is what makes the opposition valid.
"Com os melhores cumprimentos": the formal closing, equivalent to "Yours sincerely", followed by your name, your NIF (Portuguese tax number) and an optional contact.

What to fill in each field

[Cidade] and [Data]: the city where you write the letter and today's date
[Nome do inquilino]: the tenant's full name as it appears in the lease
[Morada completa]: full address, street, number, floor, unit, postal code and locality
[Data de início do contrato]: the date the lease agreement was signed
[Data de fim / próxima renovação]: the date the lease renews or ends
[Data de saída]: the move-out date, normally the same as the lease end date
[Nome e NIF do senhorio]: your name and your Portuguese tax number (NIF)

Stating a reason is not required As a rule, opposition to renewal by the landlord does not require a reason; you only need to respect the legal notice periods (article 1097 of the Civil Code). Exception: opposition to the first renewal only takes effect 3 years after the lease was signed, unless the landlord needs the property as their own home or for a first-degree descendant. In that special case, and in termination for own housing needs (articles 1101 and 1103 of the Civil Code), the ground does matter and must be stated in the letter. Consult a lawyer if you are unsure about your specific case.

How to send it?

The letter must be sent as a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (AR), roughly what US readers know as certified mail with a return receipt. The acknowledgment slip signed by the tenant is your legal proof that they were notified.

At a CTT post office: print, sign and ask at the counter for "carta registada com aviso de receção". Around 6 EUR, plus the trip and the queue. Not practical if you live abroad.
Online, without leaving home: make the letter with the lease dates in the form above, see the full text before paying, and we print and send it through CTT with acknowledgment of receipt within 2 business days. 14.99 EUR, all included.

Handle the termination online

Already have the letter written? Upload the PDF and we send it through CTT with acknowledgment of receipt. 14.99 EUR all included.

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Need the letter? Make the opposition to renewal letter with your dates →

Template: Lease Termination Letter for Portugal (Opposition to Renewal)