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
  
  

EazyAL changes how this process works.

Instead of treating SIBA as a separate task, EazyAL builds it directly on top of your guest check-in data.

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:

1. Log into SIBA

2. Create a new guest entry

3. Enter guest details

4. 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.

How EazyAL Handles SIBA

EazyAL doesn’t ask you to re-enter this data.

Instead, it uses the information already collected during digital guest check-in.

Step 1: Guest completes check-in

All required data is collected directly from the guest.

Step 2: SIBA submission is prepared

The system organizes that data into a format ready for submission.

Step 3: You choose how submissions are handled

Depending on your setup, EazyAL supports two approaches:

Two Ways to Handle SIBA

1. Automated Submission

What EazyAL does

• Uses your stored SIBA credentials

• Submits guest data directly

• Tracks submission status

What you do

• Set up your SIBA details once

• Monitor results if needed

2. Manual / Reviewed Submission

What EazyAL does

• Prepares each submission

• Adds it to a review queue

• Tracks status and history

There is also a structured action queue and audit trail, so every submission attempt is recorded.

What you do

• Review submissions

• Confirm before sending

What You No Longer Have To Do

• Copy guest details into SIBA manually

• Reformat data to match requirements

• Track which guests have been submitted

• Maintain separate records for compliance

Everything is tied back to the original guest check-in.

What You Still Control

EazyAL simplifies the process, but you remain in control.

You still:

• Provide your SIBA credentials

• Choose whether to automate or review

• Monitor submission outcomes

This ensures accuracy and accountability—especially important for legal reporting.

Built-In Tracking and Visibility

Every submission has a clear status, such as:

• Pending

• Submitted (communicated)

• Failed or rejected

You can always see:

• What has been submitted

• What still needs action

• What needs correction

This creates a clear audit trail without extra effort.

Why This Matters

The biggest risk with SIBA isn’t complexity—it’s inconsistency.

When data lives in messages, spreadsheets, and different systems:

• Errors are more likely

• Deadlines are easier to miss

• Audits become stressful

EazyAL reduces that risk by keeping everything connected.

How It Fits Into Your Workflow

SIBA isn’t a standalone task in EazyAL.

It’s part of a larger flow:

• Guest check-in collects the data

• SIBA uses that data for reporting

• The same data supports tax and reporting elsewhere

This is what removes duplication across your operations.

Important Note

EazyAL helps you stay compliant—but it doesn’t replace your responsibility as a host.

You are still responsible for:

• Ensuring your setup is correct

• Reviewing submissions where needed

• Meeting legal obligations

What changes is how much manual work it takes to get there.

SIBA and Other AL Compliance Requirements

Guest registration is only one part of AL compliance.

Hosts must also handle:

• INE IPHH reporting (WebInq 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.