Request a tacit approval certificate

Anyone who has submitted a request to the central, local or regional Portuguese public administration, and has not received a response by the deadline, can request a tacit approval certificate.

Tacit approval exists when the law or regulation states that the absence of a response from the competent authority within the legal deadline is deemed to be acceptance of the request.

Tacit approval occurs whether or not you request the certificate.

Service channels

  • Online

    To access this service you need to login with one of the following means of authentication:

    Authentication issues with Digital Mobile Key

    • If you have problems accessing the service during the authentication process, we suggest authenticating directly on the portal and then accessing the service.

    Telephone or video call support

    • This service can be performed with telephone ou video call support. Click on the "Support" button on the right side of the page to view contacts or schedule a video call.

  • Citizen Spots and Business Spots

    This service can be done at the Citizen Spots and Business Spots that offer the service.

Procedure and requirements

Documentos and requirements

Requirements

The request for a tacit approval certificate can be made by the person who made the original request or by that person's legal representative.

It is only possible to request a tacit approval certificate for a request without a response or decision that, by law, can be accepted as tacit approval.

Documents to attach to the form

You must attach, in PDF format and while filling in the electronic form, the request/application for which you have not received a response or decision. You should also attach any documents  you have sent with the application.

Procedure

You will need to authenticate yourself with one of the following means:

To make the request, follow these steps:

  1. Click on "Access the service" on this page and authenticate yourself
  2. Fill in the "Request tacit approval certificate" form
  3. Click on "Submit".

If you need help requesting the certificate, you can call the Citizen Line (210 489 010 or 300 003 990), weekdays from 9am to 6pm.

If you prefer, you can schedule a video call with an assistant. Click on the "Support" button on this page to make the appointment.

Time of issue/decision

Within 8 working days you will receive an e-mail notifying you that the certificate has been issued.

The certificate in digital format is available in your reserved area on this portal. To consult it, select the "Business" tab and then in the "Ongoing services on the ePortugal portal" field click on submitted economic activity services.

How much

The tacit approval certificate is free of charge.

Validity

The tacit approval certificate is valid for one year.

Legislation, refusals, contests, claims

Legislation

Decree-Law no. 11/2023, of February 10 - Reforms and simplifies environmental licensing.

Decree-Law no. 135/99, of April 22 - Defines the general principles of action to be followed by the services and bodies of the Public Administration in their dealings with the citizen.

Order no. 3762/2023, of March 24 - Designates the Agency for Administrative Modernization, I. P., as the competent entity for issuing certificates attesting to the occurrence of any tacit approval or other type of positive effects associated with the absence of a response from the competent entities.

Competent Entity

Agência para a Modernização Administrativa

Address: Rua de Santa Marta n.º 55 1150-294 Lisboa

Phone number: 21 723 12 00

Fax: 21 723 12 20

Email address: ama@ama.pt

Web url: https://www.ama.gov.pt/