Decree-Laws for Environmental Protection and Habitat Conservation: SACs
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are part of the Natura 2000 network and are governed by a recent set of decree-laws designating new protected areas in Portugal.
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are protected areas designated under the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and integrated into the Natura 2000 network, aiming to ensure the conservation of priority habitats and species. In Portugal, the base legal regime is Decree-Law No. 142/2008 of 24 July, which replaced Decree-Law No. 140/99 and defines SACs, SPAs, parks, reserves and management plans for classified areas.
New 2025 decree-laws
- Decree-Law No. 4/2025: completes the official designation of the São Mamede SAC, setting geographic boundaries, priority habitats and management obligations.
- Decree-Law No. 28/2025: designates the Alvão/Marão SAC (PTCON0003), focused on Iberian wolf conservation, banning construction on rustic land and new mineral extraction.
- Decree-Law No. 29/2025: designates the Arrábida/Espichel SAC (PTCON0010), prohibiting activities such as scrapyards and waste depots.
- Decree-Law No. 30/2025: designates the Nisa/Laje da Prata SAC in the Alto Alentejo, protecting riparian habitats and cave-dwelling bats.
- Decree-Law No. 31/2025: designates the Montesinho/Nogueira SAC in the northeast, protecting the Iberian wolf, otter and cave-dwelling bats.
- Decree-Law No. 32/2025: designates the Morais SAC, focused on Mediterranean habitats and ecological restoration actions.
Portugal has hundreds of SACs across its territory, including notable cases such as Ria Formosa/Castro Marim, Peneda-Gerês, Serra da Estrela and the Madeira Laurissilva forest, which protect species such as the Iberian wolf and the otter, among others.