“Junta de Freguesia” in Portugal is a local administrative body

In the context of Portugal, a “Junta de Freguesia” is a local administrative body at the level of a civil parish. A freguesia is the lowest administrative division in Portugal, similar to a bairro or a locality in other countries.

The Junta de Freguesia is responsible for various local matters within its jurisdiction.

One of the services of the Junta da Freguesia is to issue an address certificate or residence certificate to a resident. Often this document is used for foreigners to prove their address to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).

The parish council is usually made up of elected officials, including a president and several members, who represent the interests of the local population. The president of the junta is usually referred to as the “Presidente da Junta”.

Other services of the parishes in Portugal:

Local services: It may oversee the provision of local services such as garbage collection, street maintenance and street lighting.

Community and Cultural Activities: The Junta may also organize or support local cultural events, sports activities and community meetings.

Documentation Services: Some municipal services provide services related to civil registration, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and other legal documents.

Local governance: The junta plays a role in local governance, advocating the needs and concerns of the community to higher levels of government.

Public spaces: The junta manages and maintains public spaces such as parks, squares and community centers.

Local development: The council may be involved in local development projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in the parish.

Adriano Martins Pinheiro, lawyer in Portugal

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