Legal Advisory in Data Centers & Real Estate

At Vicox Legal, we support investors, technology operators, and developers at every stage of their data center projects, combining expertise in real estate, regulatory, and technology law.

We are your partner in building and operating critical infrastructure with legal, technical, and strategic strength.

What is a Data Centre and why does it matter in Real Estate?

Data centres are facilities that house servers, storage systems and telecommunications networks that enable the cloud, blockchain, artificial intelligence and global digital services to function.

More than just technological spaces, today they are key real estate assets for investors and developers, with long-term contracts, high demand and prospects for exponential growth.

📜 The legal and regulatory framework for data centres

The growth of data centers is driven by the rise of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, Web3, and global digitalization. However, this expansion comes with increasingly demanding regulations in areas such as:

Construction and operational permits, subject to local and regional regulations.
Grid connection and electricity access, with specific financial guarantees and conditions.
Sustainability and energy efficiency, including transparency on consumption, heat reuse, and compliance with ESG criteria.
Data protection and cybersecurity, essential for international operators.

⚡ Market context and challenges

Data centers have established themselves as one of the most attractive real estate assets today:

Growing demand driven by AI, blockchain, fintech, and cloud services.
High profitability and long-term lease agreements.
Technical and regulatory complexity requiring specialized legal advisory.
Challenges in energy consumption, land availability, and social acceptance.

Beyond investment, building and operating a data center means managing critical infrastructure for the digital economy.

🌐 Our legal services in Data Centres

Planning and permits

Legal, zoning, and technical due diligence.
Obtaining construction and operating permits.
Advisory on grid access and energy contracts.

Energy, Sustainability & ESG

Design and review of energy contracts (PPA, renewable self-consumption).
Legal strategies for compliance with environmental and efficiency regulations.
Asesoría en planes de reutilización de calor y reporting ESG.

Operating contracts

Contratos de colocation, powered shell y acuerdos de servicio.
Drafting and negotiation of SLAs and technology contracts.
Data protection, cybersecurity, and intellectual property.

Transactions & Investments

Structuring acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing.
Advisory on asset and critical infrastructure purchases.
Conflict resolution and international arbitration.

🇵🇹 Portugal: Sines as a Strategic Data Center Hub

The coastal region of Sines is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most important digital hubs. Its strategic Atlantic location makes it a natural gateway between Europe, the Americas, and Africa, with direct access to major international submarine cables. This unique position has attracted the attention of hyperscalers, institutional investors, and global tech companies seeking a secure, sustainable, and cost-competitive environment for data center development.

Sines, at the heart of large-scale projects

📍 Start Campus Sines: one of the most ambitious European projects, with a planned capacity of up to 1.2 GW. The first building (SIN01) is already operational, designed under cutting-edge energy efficiency standards.
🌍 Prime location: its proximity to international connectivity routes and strong port infrastructure make Sines a key technological and logistical hub.
🔋 Renewable energy at scale: Portugal provides access to abundant and competitively priced solar and wind energy, ensuring projects that align with global ESG commitments.

Legal and regulatory challenges in Portugal ⚖️

The Portuguese legal framework combines national legislation with European regulatory standards. Key challenges for investors and operators include:

Environmental licensing and impact assessments in coastal areas.
Compliance with Decree-Law No. 84/2024, which imposes obligations on energy efficiency, water consumption, and sustainability reporting.
Grid access contracts and green power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Adherence to EU data protection (GDPR) and cybersecurity requirements.

How Vicox Legal supports clients in Portugal 🤝

At Vicox Legal, we guide international investors and operators entering the Portuguese market, particularly in the Sines region. Our legal support spans the entire project lifecycle:

📑 Comprehensive due diligence: legal, environmental, and contractual analysis tailored to Portuguese requirements.
📝 Permits and licenses: regulatory filings before national and local authorities, with special focus on environmental and coastal compliance.
🔋 Energy contracts and sustainability: structuring PPAs with renewable providers and ensuring compliance with ESG criteria.
📡 Technology and regulatory contracts: colocation, powered shell agreements, and robust data protection compliance.
🌍 Cross-border advisory: supporting foreign funds, hyperscalers, and global developers seeking to establish or expand their footprint in Portugal.

Portugal as a future-proof investment destination

The development of the Sines region represents not just a local opportunity, but a strategic milestone in Europe’s critical infrastructure landscape. With multibillion-euro investments underway and a strong commitment to renewable energy, Portugal is set to become a leading international digital hub.

At Vicox Legal, we turn these opportunities into legally sound, sustainable, and long-term investments.

Why choose Vicox Legal?

Unique expertise in the digital economy: pioneers in crypto, fintech, and blockchain law.
Global vision with local focus, with experience in international projects.
ESG alignment, ensuring compliance with the highest sustainability standards.
Multidisciplinary team, integrating real estate, energy, technology, and digital regulation.

🛡️ Who trusts us?

Investment funds and developers seeking to acquire or build critical infrastructure.
Technology operators and hyperscalers requiring secure expansion.
Fintech, crypto, and Web3 companies in need of solid legal support for their digital infrastructure.

CONTACT US

Looking to invest in, develop, or operate a data center with legal certainty? Let´s talk.

Servicios

Abogados Gaming

Ofrecemos un asesoramiento integral, junto a una precisa técnica jurídica en lo que hacemos para ofrecer a nuestros clientes el servicio más completo y adaptado a sus pretensiones. Contamos con experiencia en servicios legales para videojuegos.

Abogados Blockchain

El ecosistema blockchain exige profesionales capaces de unir el conocimiento jurídico tradicional con la innovación tecnológica. En Vicox Legal ofrecemos un equipo especializado en criptoactivos, tokenización y normativa europea, siempre actualizado ante los continuos cambios regulatorios. Confía en el servicio legal más innovador del mercado con Vicox Legal.

Abogados para e-sport

Somos una firma legal pionera en el asesoramiento legal en eSports en España. Prestamos servicios de agencia, asesoramos a nivel laboral en contratación y despidos dentro de los equipos y contribuimos al crecimiento de participantes y partners en competiciones oficiales.