Heard about OccuMax® pricing?
You can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
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FIND OUT MOREYou can earn up to 30% more with our unique pricing strategy. Developed from managing over 350,000 bookings, it runs entirely within local regulations and has already earned our hosts over £112 Million.
AL = temporary paid accommodation to tourists/guests that does not meet the requirements to be a “tourism enterprise”.
Short-term lets run under Portugal’s “Alojamento Local” (AL) regime. Registration is national (RNAL) via the Balcão Único Eletrónico; it’s a “prior notification with deadline” that municipalities can oppose within 60 days (90 in defined containment areas). Since October 2024 the blanket suspension from “Mais Habitação” was revoked; councils now regulate locally (they may create rules and containment/sustainable-growth areas and set extra conditions). The extraordinary AL contribution (CEAL) was revoked in September 2024. Many cities charge a municipal tourist tax (e.g., Lisbon €4 pp/night; Porto €3 pp/night, both capped at 7 nights). Keep to national fire-safety rules (SCIE) and the AL safety requirements. Income is taxable; VAT applies if you are VAT-registered (small operators may use the Article 53 exemption — check AT).
Governed by Alojamento Local (AL) rules. No single national nights threshold; municipalities can restrict or pause new AL licences in designated areas.
Short-term lets run under Portugal’s “Alojamento Local” (AL) regime. Registration is national (RNAL) via the Balcão Único Eletrónico; it’s a “prior notification with deadline” that municipalities can oppose within 60 days (90 in defined containment areas). Since October 2024 the blanket suspension from “Mais Habitação” was revoked; councils now regulate locally (they may create rules and containment/sustainable-growth areas and set extra conditions). The extraordinary AL contribution (CEAL) was revoked in September 2024. Many cities charge a municipal tourist tax (e.g., Lisbon €4 pp/night; Porto €3 pp/night, both capped at 7 nights). Keep to national fire-safety rules (SCIE) and the AL safety requirements. Income is taxable; VAT applies if you are VAT-registered (small operators may use the Article 53 exemption — check AT).
Registration / Permit
Register the property as AL on the national portal (RNAL) via prior notification with deadline. The municipality may oppose within 60 days (90 in containment areas). Registration is free; councils can inspect and may set local conditions or containment areas. CEAL has been revoked.
Max Nights
None nationally; any limits are by municipal regulation or building/condominium rules.
Planning / Zoning
RNAL registration is made online; the municipality has up to 60 days to oppose (90 in containment areas). Inspections typically occur within 60–90 days. Timeframes vary by council.
Safety & Insurance
Comply with SCIE: small AL (≤10 guests) must have at least an extinguisher, fire blanket, first-aid kit and emergency number posted; larger setups follow full SCIE (evacuation, signage, detection) as applicable.
Tax
Lisbon charges €4 per person/night up to 7 nights. Accommodation in mainland Portugal is generally at the 6% reduced VAT rate.
Lisbon charges €4 per person/night up to 7 nights. Accommodation in mainland Portugal is generally at the 6% reduced VAT rate.
Comply with SCIE: small AL (≤10 guests) must have at least an extinguisher, fire blanket, first-aid kit and emergency number posted; larger setups follow full SCIE (evacuation, signage, detection) as applicable.
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• Lisbon: city tax €4 pp/night, max 7 nights; dedicated portal for registration/remittance.
• Porto: city tax €3 pp/night, max 7 nights (since 1 Dec 2024).
• Ownership caps: per building, a single owner/operator can generally not operate more than 9 AL apartments and may be limited to 75% of building fractions; tighter limits can apply in containment areas.
• Hostels in mixed residential buildings require condominium authorization.
• Madeira/Azores apply national AL but have specific regional adaptations and guidance.
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⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
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Councils are actively issuing/consulting AL regulations under DL 76/2024 (new containment or sustainable-growth areas, ratios, exceptions). Expect ongoing updates to city-tax rates and to AT guidance on VAT thresholds through 2025; monitor your municipality and Turismo de Portugal notices.
Governed by Alojamento Local (AL) rules. No single national nights threshold; municipalities can restrict or pause new AL licences in designated areas.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with
Câmara Municipal (local regulation/enforcement), ASAE (market surveillance), Turismo de Portugal (RNAL oversight), ANEPC (fire safety/SCIE), Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (tax).
your local authority.
