The 2026 edition of the Chambers Art & Cultural Property Law Guide is out today. VCA is once again the Portuguese contributor, with the Portugal chapter authored by João Valadas Coriel, Sofia Quental, António Vieira, and Inês Grácio.
About the guide
The Chambers Art & Cultural Property Law Guide brings together leading specialist firms from across jurisdictions to provide an annual, practice-oriented overview of the legal landscape governing art and cultural property. Aimed at collectors, galleries, museums, advisers, and institutions involved in cross-border transactions or the stewardship of cultural assets, it is one of the most widely referenced publications in the sector.
The Portugal chapter
For the 2026 edition, the VCA team has updated and expanded the Portugal chapter, covering the key legal areas shaping the art market and cultural property sector:
- Legal framework and regulatory authorities
- Artists’ rights: moral and economic
- Copyright protection and infringement
- Art authentication and legal mechanisms
- Cultural heritage: classification, protection, and state rights
- Domestic and cross-border art sales
- NFTs and digital assets: legal framework and challenges
- Succession planning and generational transfer of collections
This year’s edition places particular emphasis on the legal implications of digital assets — including NFTs and blockchain-based transactions — and on the growing intersection between artificial intelligence and copyright. These are fast-moving areas where the absence of dedicated legislation makes specialist legal guidance especially relevant.
VCA’s approach
VCA regularly advises private clients, family offices, foundations, and collectors on art law and cultural property matters — from domestic and international transactions to tax planning and succession. Continued participation in this guide reflects the firm’s interdisciplinary approach to this practice area and its recognition by the market.
The guide is available free of charge on the Chambers & Partners platform. For any questions relating to art law, cultural property, or other areas of VCA’s practice, the team is available to assist.
