How to Register Guests in SIBA for Alojamento Local (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
How to Register Guests in SIBA for Alojamento Local (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
If you operate an Alojamento Local (AL) property in Portugal, registering your guests with SIBA (Sistema de Informação de Boletins de Alojamento) is a legal requirement. Many hosts starting with Airbnb or Booking.com are unaware of this obligation until they begin researching compliance.
Failing to report guest information properly can result in significant fines, which is why understanding how SIBA works is essential for every host.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
What SIBA is
Who must report guests
How to register guests step‑by‑step
Common mistakes hosts make
How automation tools like EazyAL simplify the process
What is SIBA?
SIBA is the Portuguese accommodation reporting system used by authorities to track foreign guests staying in hotels, hostels, and Alojamento Local properties.
Hosts must report guest information to the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). The purpose is to help Portuguese authorities maintain records of foreign visitors.
If you rent your property on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO, this requirement still applies to you.
In short:
If a non‑Portuguese guest stays at your AL, you must submit their details through SIBA.
Who Must Register Guests in SIBA?
You must report guests if you operate:
Airbnb properties
Booking.com rentals
Short‑term holiday apartments
Guesthouses or AL units
Essentially, all Alojamento Local hosts must comply.
The responsibility lies with the host or property manager, not the booking platform.
Even if Airbnb collected guest information during booking, you still need to submit it manually or through an automated system.
Information You Must Report
When submitting a guest registration through SIBA, the following information is required:
Guest details:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Country of residence
Passport or ID number
Stay information:
Arrival date
Departure date
Property location
This information must typically be reported within three working days of arrival.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Register Guests in SIBA
Step 1: Register on the SIBA Portal
Before reporting guests, you must create an account on the SIBA portal provided by SEF.
You will need:
Your Alojamento Local registration number
Property details
Identification documents
After approval, you can log in and start submitting guest reports.
Step 2: Collect Guest Information
Before arrival, ensure you collect the necessary guest details.
Many hosts do this using:
Check‑in forms
Guest registration forms
Digital check‑in tools
The goal is to ensure all mandatory fields are filled correctly.
Step 3: Submit Guest Information
Once the guest arrives:
Log into SIBA
Create a new guest entry
Enter guest details
Submit the record
You must repeat this process for every foreign guest staying at your property.
For hosts managing multiple apartments, this quickly becomes time‑consuming.
Common SIBA Mistakes Hosts Make
Many hosts accidentally break the rules because they are unaware of the system.
Common mistakes include:
Not registering guests at all
Some hosts assume Airbnb handles reporting. It doesn’t.
Submitting late reports
Reports must be submitted quickly after arrival.
Missing information
Incomplete guest data can cause rejected submissions.
Managing everything manually
Manual reporting increases the chance of errors and missed deadlines.
Automating SIBA Reporting
As hosts scale from one property to multiple listings, manual reporting becomes inefficient.
Automation tools like EazyAL help hosts stay compliant by simplifying guest registration and compliance tasks.
Instead of manually logging into multiple government portals, hosts can:
Collect guest information automatically
Manage digital check‑ins
Prepare SIBA reports
Track compliance requirements
This is especially useful for hosts managing multiple Airbnb or Booking listings.
SIBA and Other AL Compliance Requirements
Guest registration is only one part of AL compliance.
Hosts must also handle:
INE IPHH reporting (monthly statistics reporting)
Tourist tax reporting (depending on municipality)
Local regulations for short‑term rentals
Managing these obligations manually can become complicated as your business grows.
This is why many professional hosts rely on tools that centralize compliance tasks.
Final Thoughts
Running an Alojamento Local in Portugal can be rewarding, but staying compliant with regulations like SIBA is essential.
By understanding the reporting requirements and using the right systems to manage guest information, hosts can avoid penalties and focus on providing great guest experiences.
Platforms like EazyAL are designed specifically for Portuguese hosts, helping automate compliance tasks like guest reporting, statistical reporting, and operational management.
If you plan to scale your AL business, investing in the right workflow tools can save hours of administrative work every month.