---
slug: prazo-contrato-emergencia
lang: en
titulo: Maximum initial term of contracts governed by Law 13.979/2020 is 6 months
resposta: The maximum initial duration of contracts governed by Law 13.979/2020 is 6 months.
curto: Contracts: up to 6 months
tema: Licensing
revisada: 2026-10-04
proxima: 2027-04-04

---
## Data
| Who | Initial term | Condition | Source | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public administration agencies and entities | Up to 6 months | Contracts governed by Law 13.979/2020 | Law 13.979/2020, art. 4º-H | 06/02/2020 (redação dada pela Lei 14.035/2020) |

Data consulted on 04/10/2026.

## Basis
- [Law No. 13.979/2020 (Planalto, in Portuguese)](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2019-2022/2020/lei/l13979.htm): Article 4º-H establishes that contracts governed by the Law will have a duration of up to 6 months, which can be successively extended as long as the need to address the public health emergency persists.

## How it applies
The rule applies to contracts entered into by the federal public administration during the validity of Law 13.979/2020, aimed at addressing the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. The maximum initial term is 6 months, regardless of the object or value of the contract, provided they are linked to the procedures established in the Law.

## Limits
- Extension depends on the continuation of the need to address the emergency, as per Article 4º-H, and is conditioned to the validity of Legislative Decree No. 6/2020 (which declared a state of public calamity).
- The initial term does not change due to extensions: each additional period is up to 6 months, but the total is not limited by the Law.
- The rule does not apply to contracts outside the scope of Law 13.979/2020, such as those governed by Law 8.666/1993 (Procurement Law) or other regimes.
- Subsequent changes after Law 14.035/2020 (which consolidated the wording of Article 4º-H) should be verified on [Planalto](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2019-2022/2020/lei/l13979.htm).