Tourist tax in Portugal A complete guide

If you’re staying overnight in a hotel, guesthouse, or short-term rental in certain Portuguese cities, you’ll likely need to pay a municipal tourist tax. This fee is charged per person, per night, and collected by your accommodation. The rate varies depending on the city, and there is often a maximum number of nights the tax applies to (e.g., up to 7 nights in Lisbon and Porto). Always check with your accommodation provider for the exact amount and whether it applies to your stay.

No, not all municipalities in Portugal levy a tourist tax. While cities like Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, and several towns in the Algarve charge this fee, other locations do not. Each municipality decides whether to impose a tourist tax and at what rate. If you’re unsure whether your destination has a tourist tax, you can check with your accommodation provider or visit the official website of the municipality you’re traveling to.

You don’t need to pay it separately—your accommodation will collect the tax from you directly. In most cases, it’s added to your final bill at check-in or check-out. If you booked through a platform like Airbnb or Booking.com, the tax may already be included in your payment. The amount collected goes directly to the local municipality to help fund tourism-related infrastructure and services.

Yes, but it depends on the city. In Lisbon and Porto, for example, children under 13 years old are exempt from paying the tax. Some municipalities may have different age limits or other exemptions, such as discounts for students or long-term stays. If you're traveling with children, it's always best to confirm with your accommodation whether they need to pay the tourist tax.

No, tourist tax is only charged for a limited number of nights. In most municipalities, there’s a cap on how many nights you need to pay for—typically between 3 and 7 nights per stay. If you're staying longer, you won't be charged beyond that limit. For extended stays, you may also qualify for exemptions, depending on the city’s specific rules.

Yes. As a host, it’s your legal obligation to collect the tourist tax from your guests and submit it to your local municipality. The amount you need to charge depends on where your property is located. Whether you’re renting out a hotel, a guesthouse, or an Airbnb, you must ensure accurate collection, documentation, and timely remittance of the tax. Failure to comply can lead to fines, so it’s essential to stay updated on your municipality’s regulations.

This depends on your municipality’s tax rules. In most cases, hosts must declare and transfer the tax monthly or quarterly to the local tax authority. Some cities offer online portals for easy submission, while others require a manual bank transfer. It’s important to keep track of reporting deadlines and ensure timely payments to avoid penalties. If you manage multiple properties, using automated reporting tools can help simplify the process.

If you fail to declare or pay the collected tax on time, you may face fines or penalties imposed by the local municipality. The exact penalties depend on the city's tax regulations, but in some cases, missing deadlines could result in significant financial penalties or even temporary suspension of your rental license. To avoid issues, always make sure to submit your tax declarations on time and keep records of all payments.

As a host, you are legally required to report all foreign guests staying at your property to SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) within three working days of their arrival. This must be done through the SIBA system (Sistema de Informação de Boletins de Alojamento). The required details include the guest’s full name, nationality, date of birth, passport or ID number, and dates of stay. Failing to report guests correctly can result in fines, so it’s important to stay compliant and use the SIBA system properly.

Unlike VAT, which requires 10 years of record-keeping, Portuguese law does not specify an exact retention period for guest registration records after they’ve been submitted to SEF. However, as a host, it’s a good practice to keep copies of these records for at least 1 to 3 years, in case authorities request them for an audit or compliance check. We recommend checking with SEF or your local municipality to confirm any specific record-keeping requirements in your area.

To simplify the process, consider using specialized software or services that automate the collection, calculation, and remittance of tourist tax. Trippz is designed by and for hosts, so we can help streamline the administrative burden by integrating with booking platforms, automating guest registration, and handling tax payments on your behalf. Additionally, keeping detailed and organized records can help ensure accuracy and compliance with local regulations.