Under the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, unless a specific statute provides otherwise, the time limit for bringing an action is sixty days before the Council of State and the administrative courts, and thirty days before the tax courts. As a rule, these periods start to run from the date on which the administrative act is notified to the person concerned in writing.
Some specific regimes set much shorter periods. In public procurement disputes, for instance, or in challenges to certain administrative fines, time limits are counted in days and the route of challenge may differ.
Because these limits are peremptory, the court examines them of its own motion. If the deadline is missed, the action may be dismissed without any examination of the merits — even where the act is clearly unlawful.
For this reason, when you are served with an administrative decision you believe to be against your interests, it is important to note the date of service and to seek legal advice without delay.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a lawyer about your specific circumstances.