Montenegro Family's Controversial Duplex Renovation Sparks Debate in Lisbon

Montenegro Family's Renovation Plans

The family of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has informed the Lisbon City Council about their plans to combine two apartments in the Lapa neighborhood, creating a duplex. This communication, dated the first week of March and signed by the Prime Minister's youngest son, Diogo Montenegro, claims that the renovation works are exempt from prior control—a point of contention among experts consulted by the online newspaper Observador.

On March 7, shortly after CNN reported the family's failure to notify municipal services about the duplex project, Diogo submitted the notice to Lisbon's mayor, Carlos Moedas. He and his brother own the second floor, while their parents purchased the first floor below.

According to the Prime Minister's office, they chose to communicate the renovation to the city council to eliminate any doubts regarding compliance with regulations. The delay in notification was attributed to the technical team believing that prior notification was unnecessary, especially since some work had already been reported in November.

Legal Framework

Under the Legal Regime of Urbanization and Building, alterations within buildings that do not affect structural stability, alter façades, or involve the removal of tiles are exempt from municipal oversight. The Montenegro family purchased the two apartments for €715,000.

Following news of the duplex conversion, council members from the Socialist Party (PS) and Left Bloc (BE) requested clarifications from Mayor Moedas, who has denied any accusations of favoritism towards the Montenegro family regarding the renovation approval.