On 20.10.2023 a cooperation protocol was signed within the scope of the Technical Standards of Accessibility, between the National Institute for Rehabilitation, the Mission Structure for the promotion of Accessibility, the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering, the Order of Architects and the Order of Engineers.

The purpose of this protocol is to set up a working group to discuss Decree-Law No 163/2006 of 8 August 2006 and the respective Technical Standards to improve accessibility for people with restricted mobility, with a view to assessing issues arising from the application of the NTA, subsequent publication of technical guidelines, as well as providing contributions to the possible revision of this law.

The Task Force started its work during 2023, resulting in the following technical interpretations/guidelines.

Interpretation of Article 2(2)(r) of Decree-Law No 163/2006 of 8 August 2006

Pursuant to Article 2(2)(r) of Decree-Law No 163/2006 of 8 August 2006, for the purposes of calculating the surface area of access to the public, the useful area of terraces must be counted, as soon as they are licensed, whether they are closed or with covered outdoor spaces, not closed and without covered outdoor spaces, of a permanent or temporary nature. (meeting of 9.02.2024)

Examples of criteria and supporting documents that can be used to substantiate the exceptions provided for in Article 10 of DL No 163/2006

Table of Examples of Criteria and Supporting Documents(Concluded at the meeting of 28.03.2025)

What are the implications of the provisions of paragraph 5 of the specification of the Technical Accessibility Standard 2.1.2, inside the dwellings, considering its wording: ‘spaces and compartments of dwellings, for which specific conditions are set out in Section 3.3.’?

According to point 5 of NTA 2.1.2, only the specific provisions set out in Section 3.3 apply inside dwellings, with the exception of the references to Chapter 2.

According to NTA 3.1.1, in the common spaces of residential buildings (atria, parking, storage room, condominium room, corridors and galleries...), Chapter 2 and Section 3.2 must be complied with.(meeting of 11.04.2025)

In a building with a lift that complies with the ATS, are the stairs part of the accessible route and do they have to comply with Section 2.4 or not?

In accordance with TAA 2.4.11 stairways, if any, shall be supplemented by ramps, lifts or lifting platforms. Therefore, in this situation it is considered that ladders should be part of the accessible route and comply with Section 2.4.

Stairways inside dwellings shall comply with the specific conditions set out in Section 3.3. (meeting of 11.04.2025)

TAA 2.9.5 and 2.9.6 - Are the examples presented in these Technical Standards binding?

The arrangement of sanitary equipment in space, as shown in the illustrations of Technical Standards 2.9.5 and 2.9.6, is not binding. However, the minimum dimensions indicated in these illustrations are binding, as follows from paragraph 1 of NTA 2.9.5 and paragraph 1 of NTA 2.9.6.

It should also be noted that accessible sanitary facilities must comply with all other standards provided for in section 2.9, except for accessible sanitary facilities of dwellings for which the provisions of NTA 3.3.4 must be observed. (meeting of 16.05.2025)

NTA 3.3.4 - With the entry into force of Decree-Law No 10/2004 of 8 January 2004, repealing^s 1 and 2 of NTA 3.3.4, what are the minimum dimensions for the shower trays of the accessible sanitary facility in the dwelling?

With the repeal of paragraph^s 1 and 2 of NTA 3.3.4 by Decree-Law No 10/2024 of 8 January, the minimum size for the shower trays of the accessible sanitary facility in the dwelling is no longer defined.

According to Article 68(5) of the RGEU, “In the mandatory sanitary facilities there is as minimum equipment a bath or shower, a toilet bowl and a washbasin.”

If the shower tray solution is chosen, it is recommended to consider the minimum dimensions that satisfy one of the situations referred to in point (4) of NTA 2.9.9.

According to point (4) of NTA 2.9.19, the manoeuvring area may overlap with the shower tray if there is no deck level difference greater than 0,02m. (meeting of 16.05.2025)

NTA 3.3.5 - Do stairways inside dwellings have to comply with Section 2.4?

According to point 5 of NTA 2.1.2, only the specific provisions set out in section 3.3 apply inside dwellings.

Thus, inside the dwelling, staircases must comply with the specific conditions defined in section 3.3.5, which states:

‘If stairways are provided in dwellings giving access to habitable compartments and there are no ramps or alternative mechanical lifting devices, the following conditions shall be met:

(1) The width of hauls, landings and skates shall not be less than 1 m;

(2) The upper and lower landings shall have a depth, measured in the direction of motion, of not less than 1,2 m.’

According to NTA 3.2.2, in common spaces of residential buildings where mechanical means of vertical communication alternative to stairs are not installed during construction, provision shall be made in the design for all floors to be served by mechanical means of vertical communication installed a posteriori. This is considered to be a good practice to be applied indoors. For this purpose, it is recommended to demonstrate in the Accessibility Plan that the space meets the necessary conditions (structure, dimensioning and electrical installation) that allow future installation. (meeting of 16.05.2025)