Portugal to decide by November on pending cinema hall declassification requests

Portugal’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport announced that a decision on the pending declassification (desafetação) of cinema halls will be taken “impreterivelmente até novembro.” Minister Margarida Balseiro Lopes said the Government is awaiting technical reports from the Inspection‑General of Cultural Activities (IGAC) and is considering financial instruments to keep the venues in a cultural profile.

The new decree, effective June, changes the regime for cinema‑hall declassification and requires non‑binding opinions from entities such as the Portuguese Film Archive, the Directorate‑General for the Arts, municipalities and the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA). The move follows recent closures of commercial cinemas, notably the insolvent Cineplace chain and several NOS Lusomundo locations. A working group created in November 2025 reported 12 pending requests out of 52 total, in cities including Albufeira, Barreiro, Vila Nova de Gaia, Seixal, Braga, Loures and Caldas da Rainha. No new requests have been submitted since the group’s April report. Some halls, such as the 12‑screen NOS Alvaláxia in Lisbon’s Sporting stadium, have already closed but are undergoing modernization and equipment upgrades.