Drainage across a neighbour's land in Portugal

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A drainage easement (servidão de escoamento) can be imposed on a neighbour's land in the cases listed in art. 1563.º, n.º 1, but only after the owner is compensated for the damage.

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Law

Código Civil (Decreto-Lei n.º 47344/66)

Article

1563.º

Cases

Water that arises or is brought onto a plot through works for farming or industry; water given a set direction instead of its natural course; water from drains and similar land-drying works; surplus water from a public water concession (n.º 1)

Compensation

Paid beforehand for the damage, with the benefit the neighbour draws from the water taken into account (n.º 1 and 3)

Which plots

Only plots that can also carry a legal aqueduct easement (n.º 4), which in art. 1561.º means rural plots, not yards or gardens next to houses

How it is set

Without agreement, by a court or an administrative decision (art. 1547.º, n.º 2)

Official text

pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=775&tabel...

Sources

pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=775&tabel...
pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=775&tabel...
pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=775&tabel...

Checked

2026-11-05