Cascais calls for revision of Licenciamento Zero to protect traditional commerce

The municipality of Cascais is advocating for a revision of the ‘Licenciamento Zero’ policy to protect traditional commerce and preserve the identity of historic centers. Originally implemented in 2011 during Portugal’s financial rescue under the Troika, the policy aimed to stimulate the economy by replacing prior licensing with entrepreneur declarations and subsequent inspections.

However, critics argue that the policy, designed for a different economic era, now allows for the uncontrolled proliferation of souvenir shops and convenience stores that lack local customer bases. This shift, driven by tourism and real estate investment, threatens to replace essential neighborhood services with businesses that do not reflect the community's character. A public petition regarding these protections has gathered 11,000 signatures.