How to Get an Event Permit in Lisbon: Public Space Licensing Guide 2025

Organizing an outdoor activation, pop-up, or experiential marketing event in Lisbon is a great opportunity to showcase your brand in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. Yet, obtaining the correct event permits in Lisbon demands planning, local expertise, and coordination with multiple authorities.

This comprehensive guide details the 2025 public space licensing process — including required documents, timelines, and common pitfalls — to help foreign and national event agencies navigate event production and licensing in Portugal smoothly.

Understanding the Licensing Framework

In Lisbon, all event authorizations for public spaces are managed by the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (CML) or, in smaller neighborhoods, by the respective Junta de Freguesia (Parish Council).

Any temporary occupation of public space — such as activations, installations, or promotional structures — requires prior approval from one of these entities.

A non-refundable €450 fee must be paid at the start of the process to initiate evaluation. This payment does not guarantee licence approval but is mandatory for CML to begin reviewing your application.

It is also important to note that several of these same licences are required for events in private venues, including corporate events, not only those open to the public. Specifically, police accompaniment, noise authorizations, and music copyright licences (SPA and PassMúsica) may still apply depending on the activity.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Apply for an Event Permit in Lisbon

1. Define Your Event and Location

Start by identifying your preferred site (public square, riverside area, or promenade) and confirming whether it falls under CML or a Junta de Freguesia. Then prepare a detailed event concept dossier that includes:

• Event objectives, duration, and expected attendance.

• Layout plan with occupied area, entry/exit points, and safety perimeters.

• Description of all temporary structures (stages, tents, generators, AV equipment).

• Sound sources, power requirements, and waste management plan.

• Preliminary schedule for setup and dismantling.

2. Submit the Application to CML or the Junta de Freguesia

When submitting your application, attach:

• The complete event dossier with layout drawings and safety plans.

• Corporate documentation (foreign or national agency, plus local partners if applicable).

• Two types of insurance:

  • Public liability insurance (Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil).

  • Attendee insurance (Seguro de Participantes/Assistentes).Both can be issued by Portuguese insurance companies, which helps speed up verification as they are pre-approved to operate nationally.

• Safety and contingency plan, including evacuation diagrams.

• “Termos de responsabilidade” (liability declarations) from all suppliers — AV, structural, electrical, and generator providers.

• Technical certificates from licensed professionals responsible for designing evacuation plans and verifying the safety of structures, electricity, and other technical installations.

Applications can be submitted online via the CML portal or directly at municipal service counters.

Additional Obligations for Event Licensing in Lisbon

1. Mandatory Police Presence

All events taking place in public spaces must have police accompaniment.This service is not included in the CML licence and must be requested directly from the PSP or Polícia Municipal.Costs depend on the number of officers required, event duration, setup complexity, and whether night or extended shifts are necessary.

2. Noise Licence (Licença Especial de Ruído – LER)

If the event involves music or amplified sound, you must obtain a noise licence (LER) from CML.The LER defines operating hours, sound-level limits, and any conditions for monitoring compliance.

3. Music Rights: SPA and PassMúsica

Even background or incidental music requires two separate licences:

• SPA (Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores) – covering composers and authors.

• PassMúsica – covering performers and producers.These can be requested online and must be part of the event dossier before setup begins.

4. Compliance Dossier (“Dossier Único”)

Keep a single, comprehensive dossier on site containing:

• All permits (CML, Police, LER, SPA, PassMúsica).

• Insurance policies.

• Layouts and technical drawings.

• Certificates and liability declarations.

Municipal inspections (“fiscalização”) are frequent during setup and event days, so this dossier must always be available to demonstrate full compliance.

Fees, Timelines and Typical Scenarios

Process Stage	Approx. Timing	Indicative Costs
Application submission	Immediate	€450 non-refundable initiation fee (CML)
Municipal review & approvals	4–6 weeks (basic setup) / 8–12 weeks (complex events)	Variable, depending on occupied area and structure
Police accompaniment	Request directly to PSP/Polícia Municipal	Based on personnel, hours and complexity
Noise + copyright licences	1–2 weeks	€100–€300 depending on scope

With experience, a local production partner can often reduce processing time by one to two weeks thanks to established contacts and knowledge of municipal documentation standards.

Common Mistakes by Event Agencies

• Underestimating lead times: expecting a licence within days instead of weeks.

• Incomplete documentation: missing insurance, technical certificates, or supplier declarations.

• Forgetting police accompaniment: assuming it’s included in the municipal licence.

• Overlooking music rights: failing to request SPA and PassMúsica licences.

• Unprepared for inspection: not having the full dossier available on-site.

• Translation and formatting errors: submitting English-only forms or mislabeling Portuguese sections.

Why Work with a Local Partner

Navigating Lisbon’s event licensing system involves multiple authorities, language nuances, and procedural layers. A Lisbon-based service provider like picapps can manage these complexities on your behalf:

• Handling all submissions to CML, Junta de Freguesia, and police.

• Preparing a compliant dossier with all necessary certificates and declarations.

• Coordinating inspection visits and on-site logistics.

• Ensuring realistic timelines and clear communication with municipal offices.

This partnership minimizes administrative delays and helps keep your activation legally secure and on schedule.

Quick Glossary: Portuguese–English Terms

Portuguese Term	English Translation	Explanation
Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (CML)	Lisbon City Council	Main authority for event licences
Junta de Freguesia	Parish Council	Local administrative body
Licença Especial de Ruído (LER)	Special Noise Licence	Required for music or amplified sound
Termos de Responsabilidade	Liability Declarations	Signed by suppliers to confirm compliance
Ocupação do Espaço Público	Occupation of Public Space	Temporary use of municipal areas
Polícia Municipal / PSP	Municipal or Public Security Police	Mandatory accompaniment for events
Sociedade Portuguesa de Autores (SPA)	Portuguese Society of Authors	Author/composer rights
PassMúsica	Music Rights Collective	Performer and producer rights
Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil	Public Liability Insurance	Covers third-party damage or injury
Seguro de Participantes / Assistentes	Attendee Insurance	Covers accidents involving participants or guests

Conclusion: Streamline Your Event Licensing in Lisbon

Securing event licences in Lisbon involves multiple layers — municipal approval, police coordination, noise control, copyright clearances, and insurance coverage. Both foreign and national event agencies can benefit from expert local guidance to ensure compliance with Lisbon City Council regulations.

For smooth execution and peace of mind, partner with picapps, a trusted Lisbon-based team specializing in event logistics and licensing.

👉 Ready to organize your event in Lisbon? Open the picapps contact form and share your project details. The team will help you obtain every required public space permit, coordinate with authorities, and deliver your activation on time and fully compliant.