Portuguese
touristic rental license – Alojamento Local
The rental license, (Alojamento Local) in Portuguese is now
required if you rent your property in Portugal on a temporary basis, i.e.
holiday rentals.
if you rent your property in Portugal
on a temporary basis you must be licensed under the regime Alojamento Local
(Local Lodging)
It has until now been almost impossible to obtain the necessary rental license
for your property in Portugal.
Many owners were indeed unaware of the need for a rental license until the
government inspectorate began issuing fines back in 2006.
Decree Law nr.39/2008 came into force on 7th of March 2008 which greatly
simplified the procedure to obtain a touristic license to rent your private
property on a temporary basis.
Article 3.1 determines that villas, apartments and hosting establishments, that
have a habitation license, which offer services of temporary accommodation to
paying guests, but which do not comply with criteria to be considered tourism
developments, will be considered as Local Lodging Establishments. Any Local
Lodging Establishment should comply with a list of minimum conditions as
stipulated in Ministerial Decree 517/2008 of the 25th of June
General requirements
The establishment should meet the following requirements:
-Be in good condition internally and externally
-Be connected to the mains water supply or have access to a registered bore
hole
-Be connected to mains drainage or to a septic tank with adequate dimensions
for the size of the property
-Supply both hot and cold water
-Have sufficient windows for ventilation and airing
-Be well furnished and equipped
-Provide shutters or curtains to block out natural light
-Provide lockable doors where necessary for security and privacy
-Provide a minimum of one bathroom for every three bedrooms
Hygiene requirements
Each establishment should be clean and hygienic. Cleaning and laundry change
must happen at least once per week and always when there is a change of guests.
Safety requirements
Lodging establishments with less than fifty beds should make available:
-Sufficient fire extinguishers and blankets for the size of the property
-First aid kit
-Instruction manuals for the electrical appliances
-Indication of the emergency number 112
-Lodging establishments with fifty or more beds must also provide a fire alarm
system in accordance with the fire safety project and a telephone.
Capacity
The capacity of the establishment is determined by the number and type of
permanent beds. Temporary beds are permitted but the number must not exceed the
number of permanent beds
Complaints book
All local lodging establishments must provide a "Livro de
reclamações" (complaints book). In the event of a complaint the original
page must be sent to Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica (ASAE).
Application
Application is directed to the president of the respective local council with
supporting documents:
-Proof of identification
-Habitation license
-Certification from electrician and gas engineer
-Plans of the area to be rented
-Caderneta (tax office document)
-Guest houses comprising 50 or more beds must also submit a fire safety project
Once the application has been stamped you may legally commence renting your
property. The local council may conduct a physical inspection in the months
following the lodging of the application and if they are not satisfied the
application will be cancelled.
If you are looking to legalise the status of a property
which is used for short term letting contact us and we will take care of all
the required paperwork for you.
Fines for not complying with the legislation range form
3,500 - 25,000 Euros. |
