Yes, beekeeping is legal in Portugal, but compliance with national and municipal regulations is mandatory. The activity falls under the Regulamento (UE) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) and Decreto-Lei n.º 169/2004, with oversight by the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV). Local councils may impose additional restrictions, particularly in urban areas or protected zones.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Portugal
- Registration Requirements: Beekeepers must register hives with the DGAV via the Sistema de Informação de Apicultura (SIA) and obtain a unique identification number. Failure to register risks fines up to €3,740 under Decreto-Lei n.º 214/2008.
- Disease Control: Hives must comply with DGAV-mandated health checks for Varroa destructor and Aethina tumida (small hive beetle). Infected colonies may be ordered destroyed under Portaria n.º 102/2021.
- Urban and Protected Zones: Municipalities like Lisbon and Porto enforce buffer zones (typically 50–100m) from schools or hospitals. Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2012 empowers local authorities to prohibit beekeeping in sensitive areas.
Additional Considerations:
- Pesticide Proximity: Hives must not be placed within 3km of pesticide-treated agricultural zones during application periods (Decreto-Lei n.º 173/2005).
- 2026 Compliance Shift: The Plano Estratégico da PAC 2023–2027 introduces stricter traceability requirements for honey production, mandating digital records for all commercial beekeepers by 2026.