Representation: The National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) represents the municipalities before the central authorities. The National Association of Parishes (ANAFRE) is the association representing parishes in Portugal before municipalities and central authorities.

Information: During the legislative process, information is provided to Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) to the extent that information is published on the Parliament's website. In addition, central authorities usually transmit draft legislation which has a local/regional impact[1] to the associations of local government for information/negotiation.

Consultation: The associations of local government are consulted in all areas within their remit pursuant to Law No. 54/98 of 18 August 1998. Consultation generally takes place by mailing draft legislation. Central authorities always have to consult the Autonomous Regions on matters that fall under the Autonomous Regions' competences.

Coordination: The State works in cooperation with the Autonomous Regions in order to ensure their economic and social development, as well as to address and reduce inequalities throughout the territory. In addition, the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities acts as an exchange platform among its members. Municipalities have their own fiscal powers limited to their own competences according to coherence and local autonomy principles according to the Local Finances Law. The 23 intermunicipal entities and five decentralised administration services at the regional level also aim to coordinate the strategies and actions of municipalities.

[1] Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Study on 'Consultation procedures within European States', 2007, pp. 173-177.