Portugal Tourist Tax 2026: Every Municipality, Rate, Website links
If you own or manage, a short-term rental property in Portugal, you are legally responsible for collecting, declaring, and remitting the municipal tourist tax (taxa municipal turística) from your guests. Failing to do so can lead to fines , similar to SIBA Guest Communication — or even the suspension of your accommodation licence.
This guide covers everything you need to do right now to comply : what the tax is, which municipalities apply it, the online platforms , how to collect and declare it, common exemptions, and what happens if you don’t comply.
Municipal Websites to pay Portugal Tourist Tax
Portal for Taxa Turística Lisboa
Site for Taxa Turística Cascais
Website for Taxa Turística Santa Cruz Madeira
Portal for Taxa Turística Porto
Vila Real de Santo António Portal for Taxas Municipais
Vila Nova de Gaia Portal for Taxa Turística
Portal for Taxa Turística Sintra
Portal for Taxa Turística Faro
Póvoa de Varzim Portal for Tourist Tax
Taxa Turística Coimbra: Portal for Tourist Tax
What Is the Municipal Tourist Tax in Portugal?
The municipal tourist tax (also known as taxa de dormida or TMT) is a local levy charged per person, per night, on tourist accommodation stays. It was introduced to help municipalities fund local infrastructure, public services, and tourism-related initiatives.
Key points to understand:
It is not a national tax — each municipality decides independently whether to apply it
Currently, around 40 of Portugal’s 308 municipalities charge the tax
It applies to all types of licensed tourist accommodation, including Alojamento Local (AL) properties, hotels, hostels, and campsites
The tax is charged to the guest, but the property owner or manager is responsible for collecting and handing it over to the municipality
Who Has to Pay the Tourist Tax in Portugal?
If your property is registered as Alojamento Local (AL) — or any other form of licensed tourist accommodation — and it is located in a municipality that applies the tax, you are legally obliged to:
Collect the correct amount from each guest
Issue documentation (receipt or invoice) that clearly states the tax amount separately from the accommodation cost
Declare the overnight stays to the local authority
Remit the collected tax within the required timeframe
This applies regardless of which platform your bookings come through — Airbnb, Booking.com, direct bookings, or any other channel.
Note on Airbnb: In some cities, such as Taxa Turística Lisboa, Airbnb has an agreement to collect and remit the tourist tax automatically on behalf of hosts for platform bookings. However, you remain responsible for direct bookings and bookings from platforms that do not participate in this arrangement. Always verify this with your local municipality.
How to Charge the Tourist Tax Step by Step
Collecting the tourist tax correctly is straightforward once you have the right process in place. Here is how to do it:
Step 1 — Register with Your Municipality
To register as a tourist tax collector, follow these steps on the Camaras tourist tax website:
Create an Account:Sign up for an account if you don’t have one.
Access the Tax Platform:Log in to the Municipality’s Tourist Tax platform.
Register Your Establishment:Enter details about your tourism entity.
Register Accommodation Units:List each accommodation unit you offer.
Required Information:
Business name
Country
Business type
Tax Identification Number (NIF)
Bank Account Number (IBAN)
Website
Your name
Business address
Postal code
City
Email
Phone/mobile number
Step 2 — Inform Your Guests
Make it clear in your listing description, booking confirmation, and house rules that the tourist tax will be charged. This avoids disputes at check-in.
Step 3 — Collect the Tax on Arrival (or Via Platform)
Collect the tax from guests on arrival, or confirm that your booking platform is handling it automatically. The amount depends on the number of guests (above the exemption age) and the number of nights, up to the capped maximum.
2 adults × 5 nights × €4.00 = €40.00 total
Step 4 — Issue a Receipt
Provide guests with a receipt or invoice that clearly separates:
Accommodation cost
Tourist tax amount
Number of guests and nights the tax applies to
Step 5 — Declare and Pay the Municipality
Depending on your municipality, you will need to submit a periodic declaration (usually monthly or quarterly) detailing the number of overnight stays and the tax collected. Payment can be made through a provided Multibanco (ATM) reference, or another payment method authorized by the municipality.
Exemptions: Who Does Not Pay the Tourist Tax?
Most municipalities include at least some exemptions. Common exemptions include:
Children under a certain age — typically children aged 12 and under are exempt or pay a reduced rate (this varies by municipality)
Residents of the municipality — guests who are registered residents in the same city
Guests staying for medical treatment — some municipalities waive the tax for patients receiving health treatment locally
Long-stay guests — once the maximum number of nights (usually 7) is reached, no further tax is charged
You may need to retain supporting documentation to justify any exemption in case of an audit.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to collect, declare, or remit the tourist tax is a legal offence. Consequences can include:
Administrative fines — the value varies by municipality but can be significant
Inspection and audit — municipalities periodically audit licensed accommodation operators
Suspension or revocation of your AL licence — in serious or repeated cases of non-compliance
The safest approach is to set up a reliable collection and declaration process from day one, and to review municipal rules at the start of each year, as rates and procedures can change.
EazyAL is an assistant built specifically for Alojamento Local owners in Portugal — designed to take the admin burden of tourist tax compliance off your plate entirely. Instead of logging into municipal portals, cross-referencing platform reports, and manually calculating exemptions, EazyAL handles it for you:
Tracks every booking across all your channels and calculates the exact TMT owed per stay
Flags declaration deadlines before they’re due, so you’re never caught off guard
Identifies which bookings were already covered by platforms like Airbnb, and which ones you still need to account for
Applies the correct exemptions automatically, children, residents, long stays so you’re always charging the right amount
Keeps an audit-ready record of every declaration and payment, in case of a municipal inspection
Whether you manage one property or a portfolio across multiple municipalities, EazyAL gives you a single clear view of your TMT obligations — and handles the complexity so you don’t have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every property in Portugal have to charge the tourist tax?
No. Only properties located in municipalities that have adopted the tax are required to charge it. Currently, around 40 of Portugal’s 308 municipalities apply it. Check with your local council if you are unsure whether your area is covered.
If Airbnb collects the tourist tax automatically, do I still need to do anything?
In cities where Airbnb has a tax collection agreement (such as Taxa Turística Lisboa), Airbnb will collect and remit the tax for bookings made through their platform. However, you remain responsible for collecting and remitting the tax for any direct bookings or bookings from platforms that do not have this arrangement. Always verify the terms with your municipality.
Is the tourist tax included in the accommodation price or charged separately?
The tourist tax must be charged separately from the accommodation fee. It should be clearly identified in your listing and in any receipts or invoices you issue to guests.
What happens if a guest refuses to pay the tourist tax?
The guest is legally obliged to pay it, as it is a municipal levy. However, as the property owner, you are responsible for remitting the correct amount to the municipality regardless. Consider making the obligation clear in your house rules and booking confirmation to avoid disputes.
Do short-term rental management companies handle the tourist tax on my behalf?
Many property management companies operating in Portugal will handle tourist tax collection, declaration, and remittance as part of their service. If you work with a management company, confirm in writing that this is included in your contract and that they are registered with the relevant municipality.
Conclusion
The municipal tourist tax is a straightforward obligation once you understand the rules in your area. The key is to know your local rate, build collection into your check-in process, keep accurate records, and submit declarations on time.
If your property is managed by a professional management service, confirm they are handling compliance on your behalf. And if you manage your property independently, set up a simple tracking system from the start — it will save you time and protect your licence.
