Can I make noise at home at night?
Conditional: you can make noise, but not to the point of "disturbance". The General Noise Regulation (Decree-Law 9/2007) sets the periods: day 07:00–20:00, evening 20:00–23:00 and night 23:00–07:00. For neighbour noise (Art. 24), between 23:00 and 07:00 the PSP/GNR can order an immediate stop; between 07:00 and 23:00 they set a deadline. Temporary noisy activities (parties, works, concerts) are banned near homes, schools or hospitals on weekends, holidays and weekdays 20:00–08:00, unless a Special Noise Licence (LER) is granted by the municipality. The municipality licenses and fines; the PSP/GNR act on the spot, no sound meter needed. In short: mind the noise, especially after 23:00.
📋 The rules
- Night period: 23:00–07:00 (not 22:00)
- Neighbour noise 23h–7h: police order an immediate stop
- Temporary noisy activities: need a Special Noise Licence
- No sound meter: disturbance is enough to act
- The municipality licenses and fines
🔓 Exceptions
- With a Special Noise Licence (LER): the activity is allowed
- Day 07h–23h: police set a deadline, not an immediate stop
- Licensed works/events: within the authorized hours
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Neighbour noise is a minor environmental offence (Law 50/2006): €200 to €2,000 (individuals) and up to €18,000 (legal persons); breaching a LER is graded higher. Beware a myth: "noise is only illegal after 22:00" — false; in Portugal the night period starts at 23:00 (not 22:00 as elsewhere). Another key point: no sound-meter reading is needed for neighbour noise — the PSP/GNR act on the basis of disturbance. To stay compliant: avoid noise between 23:00 and 07:00, get a LER from the municipality for parties, works or events near homes, and respect the deadlines police set during the day.
📎 Official sources
- Decree-Law 9/2007 — General Noise Regulation →
- Law 50/2006 — environmental offences →
- gov.pt — noise →
❓ Frequently asked
When does the night period start?
In Portugal, the night period runs from 23:00 to 07:00. The day period is 07:00 to 20:00 and the evening 20:00 to 23:00. It's a myth that noise is only illegal after 22:00 — the Portuguese legal reference is 23:00, not 22:00.
What can I do if my neighbour makes noise at night?
Between 23:00 and 07:00, you can call the PSP or GNR, who can order an immediate stop to the neighbour noise. Between 07:00 and 23:00, the authorities set a deadline for the noise to stop. No sound-meter reading is needed for them to act.
Do I need a licence for a noisy party or works?
Yes, if it's near homes, schools or hospitals and outside the allowed hours. Temporary noisy activities need a Special Noise Licence (LER) from the municipality. Without an LER, they're banned on weekends, holidays and weekdays from 20:00 to 08:00.
Does the noise have to be measured with a device?
For neighbour noise, no. The PSP or GNR can act on the basis of disturbance, without a sound-meter reading. Technical measurement is required mainly for permanent activities and licensing, not for occasional neighbour noise.
What's the fine for neighbour noise?
Neighbour noise is a minor environmental offence, fined €200 to €2,000 for individuals and up to €18,000 for legal persons. Breaching a Special Noise Licence is punished more severely, according to its category.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “neighbour noise hours portugal”
- “night period 23 hours”
- “neighbour noise psp gnr”
- “special noise licence”
- “fine neighbour noise”
- “noise at night law portugal”