Open Plan Kitchen Renovation in Portugal: What You Need to Know
Open-plan living — kitchen and living room flowing together — is one of the most popular renovation requests from expats and emigrants returning to Portugal. It transforms how a home feels and works. But it's also the renovation type most likely to involve structural challenges, permits, and unexpected complications. Here's the full picture.
Portugal's older housing stock — particularly apartments and terraced houses built before the 1980s — was designed with separate rooms and closed kitchens. Creating an open-plan layout means removing one or more walls. Whether that's straightforward or complex depends entirely on what those walls are made of and what structural role they play.
Is the Wall Structural? The First Question
Before any other planning, the most important question is: is the wall you want to remove load-bearing?
In Portuguese construction:
- Reinforced concrete frame (pórtico): common in buildings from the 1960s onward. The structure is carried by concrete columns and beams — most internal walls are non-structural partitions (tabiques) and can be removed without structural risk, though permits may still be required.
- Solid masonry (alvenaria resistente): common in older buildings, particularly pre-1950. The walls themselves carry the load of floors and roof. Removing or opening these walls requires a structural engineer's assessment, a reinforcing beam (viga de betĂŁo or steel beam), and in most cases a building permit.
- Mixed construction: many Portuguese buildings combine both systems. Never assume a wall is non-structural without professional assessment.
⚠️ Never remove a wall in Portugal without confirming its structural role first. This applies even to walls that look like simple partitions. A reputable contractor will always check before demolishing. If a contractor offers to "just knock it down" without any assessment, walk away.
Do You Need a Permit to Open Up a Kitchen in Portugal?
The answer depends on the type of work:
| Work Type | Permit Required? | Who Issues It |
|---|---|---|
| Remove non-structural partition wall | Generally no (obras de conservação) | Câmara Municipal — notification only in some cases |
| Remove load-bearing wall (with beam) | Yes — Obras de Alteração | Câmara Municipal (requires architect/engineer) |
| Open a doorway in a structural wall | Possibly — depends on municipality | Câmara Municipal |
| Change kitchen ventilation to exterior | If involves exterior wall penetration — possibly | Condominium + Câmara in some cases |
| Any work in a listed or protected building | Always — additional IGESPAR/DGPC approval | Heritage authority + Câmara |
For apartments, you also need to check the condominium rules (regulamento do condomĂnio). Some condominiums prohibit structural alterations or require approval from the condominium assembly. This is separate from municipal permits.
✅ Good news for most expat renovations: if the wall between the kitchen and living room is a lightweight partition (tijolo de 11 cm or plasterboard frame), removal is typically classified as maintenance work — no permit needed, no notification required. A good structural assessment (which costs €200–€500) confirms this.
Ventilation: The Overlooked Challenge
Portuguese building regulations (RGEU and more recent RCCTE) require kitchens to have mechanical ventilation to the exterior. In a closed kitchen, this is typically a window or a duct through an exterior wall. When you open the kitchen to the living room, the kitchen no longer has its own enclosed ventilation zone — which creates two problems:
- Cooking smells and steam spread to the entire open space
- Regulatory compliance for kitchen ventilation may require a more powerful extractor system
The solution in modern open-plan kitchens is a high-performance overhead extractor hood, ducted directly to the exterior. This requires a penetration through an exterior wall (or routing through an existing duct shaft). In apartments, this can be the most technically complex part of the project — discuss it early with your contractor.
For apartments where exterior ducting isn't possible, a recirculating extractor with charcoal filters is an option — it removes odours but not moisture, so additional dehumidification may be needed.
The Process: From Decision to Finished Kitchen
- Structural assessment: contractor or structural engineer confirms what the wall is and whether removal requires engineering input. Cost: €200–€600.
- Permit application (if required): architect prepares drawings and submits to Câmara Municipal. Timeline: 4–12 weeks. Cost: €800–€2,500 for architect, plus Câmara fees.
- Design: kitchen layout planned around the new open space. Consider the kitchen triangle (sink, hob, fridge), natural light, sightlines from the living area, and where services (plumbing, gas, electrical) currently run.
- Demolition: wall removed, beam installed if required, services rerouted.
- Building works: floor levelling, plastering, electrical rerouting, new extractor ducting.
- Kitchen installation: units, worktop, appliances.
- Finishing: flooring (often extended into the kitchen from the living area), painting, skirting.
Cost of an Open-Plan Kitchen Renovation in Portugal
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Structural assessment | €200 – €600 |
| Wall removal (non-structural) | €400 – €1,200 |
| Wall removal + RSJ/concrete beam | €2,000 – €6,000 |
| Permit (if required) | €800 – €2,500 (architect) + Câmara fees |
| Extractor ducting to exterior | €400 – €1,500 |
| New kitchen (supply + install) | €6,000 – €20,000+ (see cost guide) |
| Floor extension/matching | €800 – €3,000 (depends on material) |
| Total project (typical) | €10,000 – €30,000+ |
Planning an open-plan kitchen in Portugal?
We handle the full project — structural assessment, permits, installation. Free consultation.
Talk to Us on WhatsAppIs It Worth It?
In most cases, yes — particularly for properties that will be used as a family home or rented to expat professionals. An open-plan kitchen-living space is one of the most sought-after features in the current Portuguese property market. It increases liveability, natural light distribution, and perceived space significantly.
For investment properties in Porto, Lisbon, or the Algarve, an open-plan layout typically adds value. For rural properties or older traditional homes, a more cautious approach may be appropriate — the character of separate rooms can itself be a selling point for some buyers.
Design Tips for Open-Plan Kitchens in Portugal
- Create zones without walls: use an island or breakfast bar to visually separate kitchen from living area without blocking light or sightlines.
- Match or complement the floor: a continuous floor material (the same tile or wood throughout) makes the space feel unified and larger.
- Plan the kitchen triangle: in an open layout, the hob — and especially its extractor — becomes the focal point. Position it thoughtfully.
- Consider acoustic impact: open kitchens let cooking noise (extractor, clattering) reach the living area. Quality extractors are noticeably quieter — worth the investment.
- Lighting zones: kitchen and living area need different light levels. Plan separate circuits with dimmers so each zone can be lit appropriately.
See our kitchen renovation cost guide for full price details, or visit our kitchen renovation service page to see examples of our work.