Minimum duration under the LAU
For standard residential rental contracts signed by individuals, the Urban Leases Law (Law 29/1994, as amended by Law 12/2023) guarantees a minimum duration of five years. If the landlord is a legal entity (company or corporation), the minimum term extends to seven years.
After that minimum period, the contract automatically renews annually for up to three additional years (tacit renewal), unless either party communicates their intent not to renew with the legally required notice.
Notice periods are asymmetric: the tenant must communicate their departure at least 30 days before the end of the term, while the landlord must give at least four months' notice if they don't want to renew at the end of the mandatory period, or two months if the contract is already in tacit renewal.