SIBA Portugal: 2026
SIBA Portugal: The Complete Guide for Airbnb Hosts in 2026
What Is SIBA and Why Should Every Airbnb Host in Portugal Care?
If you host guests in Portugal — whether through Airbnb, Booking.com, or direct bookings — you have a legal obligation to register every foreign guest with the Portuguese immigration authority. This is done through SIBA: the Sistema de Informação de Boletins de Alojamento (Accommodation Form Information System).
SIBA replaced the old paper-based Boletim de Alojamento system and brought guest registration fully online. It is managed by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — the agency that replaced SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in 2023. The name of the agency changed, but the obligation for hosts did not.
If you skip it, get it wrong, or miss the deadline, you face fines. This guide covers everything you need to know to stay compliant — and how EazyAL takes this task completely off your plate.
Who Is Required to Register Guests Through SIBA?
Any host who charges guests for accommodation in Portugal must register stays in SIBA. This applies to:
Airbnb hosts with an Alojamento Local (AL) license
Hosts on Booking.com, VRBO, or any other platform
Hosts who accept direct bookings
Bed and breakfast operators and rural tourism properties
Important: You must register all foreign guests — meaning anyone who is not a Portuguese citizen. This includes EU citizens, UK nationals post-Brexit, and guests from every other country.
Portuguese citizens do not need to be registered through SIBA, but it is good practice to collect their details for your own records.
The 3-Working-Day Deadline — Don't Miss It
The registration must be submitted within 3 working days of the guest's arrival. This is a strict legal deadline. Weekends and public holidays do not count, but be careful — if a guest arrives on a Thursday, you may have less time than you think.
Many hosts discover this rule only after receiving a fine. Set up a system (or let EazyAL handle it automatically) so that SIBA submissions happen at check-in, not after.
What Information Do You Need to Submit?
For each foreign guest, you must collect and submit the following:
Full name
Date of birth
Nationality
Document type (passport or national ID card)
Document number and expiry date
Country of residence
Date of arrival and expected departure
This information must come directly from the guest's official travel document — not just what they type into a form. A photo or scan of the passport is the most reliable method.
Three Ways to Submit Guest Data to SIBA
AIMA provides three methods for submitting accommodation forms:
1. Manual Entry on the SIBA Portal
You log into webinq.ine.pt (the AIMA/SIBA portal) and enter each guest's details manually. This works but is time-consuming, especially during peak season when you may have multiple guests checking in at once.
2. File Upload
If you use property management software, it may allow you to export a formatted file containing all guest data, which you then upload directly to the SIBA portal. This saves time compared to manual entry but still requires you to log in and upload the file.
3. Web Service (Automated API)
The most efficient method: your platform or management software sends guest data directly to SIBA via an API integration — automatically, at the point of check-in. This is how EazyAL handles SIBA reporting for hosts. When your guest completes the check-in form, their data is transmitted to AIMA without you lifting a finger.
What Happens If You Don't Register?
Failing to register guests with SIBA is a regulatory offence (contraordenação) under Portuguese law. Fines start at €100 per offence and can reach €2,000 or more depending on the number of violations and whether there is a history of non-compliance.
AIMA and local authorities do conduct inspections of Alojamento Local properties. Hosts found with missing or late guest registrations have received fines even for single violations. A few missed submissions during a busy summer can cost you far more than any management tool.
Beyond fines, repeated violations can put your Alojamento Local licence at risk.
SIBA and Self Check-In: A Common Problem
One of the biggest compliance challenges for modern Airbnb hosts is managing self check-in. When guests let themselves in with a key code or lockbox, there is no natural moment for you to collect and verify their documents.
Without a system in place, it is easy for SIBA deadlines to slip past unnoticed — especially if guests check in late at night or during busy periods.
The solution is a digital check-in form sent to guests before arrival. EazyAL's check-in form asks guests to upload their passport or ID document before they receive the door code. Once the data is verified, it is automatically submitted to SIBA through the web service integration.
This approach means:
Guests complete their registration before arrival
Hosts never miss the 3-working-day deadline
No manual data entry required
Full compliance even with self check-in
A Step-by-Step SIBA Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you are meeting your obligations:
Register your property on the SIBA portal — each property needs its own account linked to your AL licence number.
Collect guest passport/ID at check-in — use a digital form or in-person scan.
Verify all required fields are complete — name, DOB, nationality, document details, arrival/departure dates.
Submit the boletim de alojamento within 3 working days of arrival — not 3 calendar days.
Keep records — AIMA may ask you to show historical submissions. Store a copy of each submission.
Check for updates — regulations can change. Follow EazyAL's blog for the latest news on SIBA and AIMA requirements.
How EazyAL Simplifies SIBA for Airbnb Hosts
EazyAL was built specifically for Airbnb and Alojamento Local hosts in Portugal who want to stay compliant without spending hours on government portals.
Here is what EazyAL does for your SIBA compliance:
Automated check-in forms sent to guests before arrival, collecting all required document data
Direct SIBA/AIMA submission via web service integration — no manual uploads
Deadline tracking so no guest ever falls through the cracks
Multi-property support for hosts managing more than one listing
Full audit trail so you can demonstrate compliance if inspected
SIBA compliance is not optional — but it does not have to be stressful. With EazyAL, it happens automatically in the background, every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions About SIBA
Do I need to register Portuguese citizens through SIBA?
No. SIBA is only required for foreign guests. However, it is still good practice to collect ID from all guests for your records.
What if a guest refuses to provide their passport?
Portuguese law requires hosts to collect this information. If a guest refuses, you are legally obligated to decline the booking or contact AIMA for guidance.
Has SIBA changed since SEF became AIMA?
The platform and legal obligation remain the same. The name of the immigration authority changed from SEF to AIMA, but hosts must still submit Boletins de Alojamento for all foreign guests.
Can Airbnb submit SIBA data on my behalf?
No. Airbnb does not submit guest data to AIMA/SIBA. This is entirely the host's responsibility — which is why tools like EazyAL exist.
How long should I keep SIBA submission records?
Best practice is to keep records for at least five years, consistent with Portuguese tax and administrative record-keeping norms.
Stay Compliant. Host Confidently.
SIBA is one of the most important — and most overlooked — compliance obligations for Airbnb hosts in Portugal. The fines are real, the inspections happen, and the burden falls entirely on you as the host.
EazyAL makes it simple. Our digital check-in forms collect guest data before arrival, and our SIBA integration handles submission automatically — so you can focus on giving guests an amazing experience instead of logging into government portals.
Ready to take SIBA off your to-do list? Get started with EazyAL today →
Last updated: March 2026. Regulations can change — always verify current requirements with AIMA or a qualified legal advisor.