Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the legislative footprint?
It is the recording and disclosure of the consultations and interactions that took place while a policy, law or regulation was being prepared. In Portugal, it follows from Article 10 of Law no. 5-A/2026.
Is the legislative footprint the same as the register of hearings?
No. The register of hearings says who met whom and about what. The footprint links contributions to the act that was being prepared. They are related operations with separate legal bases: Articles 8 and 10.
And is it the same as RTRI registration?
No again. RTRI registration identifies who represents interests and is made by the representative. The footprint is produced by the public body.
Does the footprint prove that a contribution influenced the decision?
No. It documents participation, not causality. A final text that resembles a contribution does not in itself show that the contribution determined the decision.
Is this website an official platform?
No. It is an independent professional service. It is not the official register and does not replace the procedures of the competent authorities.
Do you carry out interest representation?
No. We do not represent interests before public bodies, nor do we promise access or influence. We help to organise and document.
Is the legislative footprint already mandatory?
For public bodies already covered, Article 10 has been in force since 27 July 2026 and the transitional regime contains no provision deferring it; this is our reading, to be confirmed case by case. For municipalities, local companies and intermunicipal entities, the law applies from 1 June 2027; for parishes, from 1 January 2028.
Is there an official form?
There is the Assembly of the Republic's form, annexed to Resolution no. 289/2026, with five fields. For the Government, it is the platform's electronic form. Other bodies approve their own form and decide how to publish it.
Does a municipality need a legislative footprint?
From 1 June 2027, yes, as regards the preparatory phase of local regulations and policies, under Article 10(2). Until then, preparing is a management choice, not an enforceable obligation.
Do we have to recover past interactions?
In Parliament, yes: within 30 days of the platform starting to operate, hearings and interactions held since Law no. 5-A/2026 entered into force must be recorded. The period runs from the platform starting to operate, announced by a specific notice, not from publication of the rules.
Is provisional RTRI registration mandatory?
No. Until the RTRI starts operating on 1 January 2027, registration is voluntary and depends on express consent, under Article 11(4) of the parliamentary rules.
How much does it cost?
Investment is set out in a proposal, depending on scope, size and document volume.
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Normative update of this page: . References confirmed against official sources on that date; anything unconfirmed is shown in square brackets and italics.