lisbon city tourist tax

• Sep 17, 2021

Tourist tax in Portugal: What you need to know and where does it apply?

Have you ever heard of the Tourist Tax ? This tourist fee exists in many European cities and is already in force in several Portuguese municipalities. However, many people are still unaware that this tax exists.

The tourist tax is a fee charged to all guests staying in tourist or local accommodation (also known as " AL " or " Alojamento Local " ) developments in cities where the tax is in effect. Basically, an extra amount is charged, per night and person, on top of the room rate.

The tax first started in Lisbon and is currently applied on overnight stays in the following Portuguese municipalities:

Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Real de Santo António

Santa Cruz (Madeira)

The goal of this overnight stay tax is to raise funds so that the municipality can invest in infrastructures that support tourism in the city, from public spaces such as roads and sidewalks to preserving the city's environment, traditional commerce, etc. Since tourism brings more people to these locations, and therefore more wear and tear, many municipalities justify the application of the tax as a necessity to cope with Portugal's increase in tourists.

What is the value of the tourist tax and when is it due?

The value of tourism taxes in Portugal , who has to pay and the maximum number of nights that are taxed are defined by each municipality.

This amount, usually between €1 and €2 per person and night, is added to the price of the room/accommodation and will always be handed over to the municipality.

As for payment methods, it depends on each accommodation and how you book. Some booking platforms will include the tourist tax in the final reservation price. In other cases, you may have to pay separately (for example, when you check in or check out).

In Portugal, the rules for the application of tourist taxes differ from city to city:

Lisbon - All tourists in Lisbon over the age of 13 are subject to this fee, which is paid per guest per night, with a limit of seven nights (if you stay more than seven nights, you only have to pay for the first seven). The value is €2. Exemptions include anyone under 13 years of age and guests who are travelling for health reasons, such as a medical procedure or consultation. In this case, the accompanying person is also entitled to the exemption, and to request it you must present proof of the medical act.

Cascais - Similarly to Lisbon, in Cascais children under 13 do not pay the fee, but all other tourists do. The fee is €1 up to a limit of seven consecutive nights.

Sintra - The tourist tax in Sintra is €1 per person for everyone over 13 and the maximum amount is three nights. People going to Sintra for medical reasons and their companions are also exempt from payment.

Porto - The tourist tax in the municipality of Porto is €2 per person per night. The exemptions are similar to Lisbon and the maximum limit to charge the tax is also seven nights. In addition, those with a disability of 60% or more are also exempt from payment, provided they present a document proving their disability.

Vila Nova de Gaia - In Vila Nova de Gaia, this tax has different rates depending on the time of the year:

between April 1 to September 30: the amount is €2;

between October 1 to March 31: the fee is €1;

The tax is applied to a maximum limit of seven nights and exemptions include tourists under 15 years of age, who are staying for health reasons and respective accompanying persons, anyone with a disability equal to or greater than 60% who present supporting documentation and tour guides or drivers accompanying a group of guests.

In addition, there is a 50% discount for all individuals or legal entities responsible for group stays for non-tourist purposes, such as academic, sports, cultural or professional activities.

Mafra - In Mafra, the tourist tax is applied to maximum limit of seven nights and costs €1 between November 1 to April 30, and €2 between May 1 to October 31.

All people over 12 years old are required to pay this fee. Disabled people with 60% disability or more, duly proven, are also exempt from payment.

Óbidos - The tourism tax in Óbidos is €1, per person per night, for all guests over 13 years old, applied to maximum limit of five nights. All those who travel to Óbidos for medical treatment and tourists under 13 years of age are exempt.

Vila Real de Santo António - In Vila Real de Santo António, everyone over the age of 10 has to pay €1 of tax per overnight stay, with a maximum amount of seven nights per guest. In this municipality, children between the ages of 11 and 13 get a 50% discount.

Portimão - In Portimão, the tax on overnight stays is only charged between March and October, and the amount is €1.50. The tourist tax is applied up to a maximum of seven nights, per guest over the age of 13.

Santa Cruz (Madeira) - In Madeira, in the municipality of Santa Cruz, the fee is called "EcoTaxa" and is €1 per guest per overnight stay, and is charged up to a maximum of five nights per guest. All those under the age of 18 are exempt.

Braga - In Braga, the tourist tax is €1.50 for anyone over 16, up to a maximum of four consecutive nights per person, between March and October.

As the rules are always changing, it is advisable to check official information from each Portuguese municipality as there may be updates, notably due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• AL - Local Accommodation
• Taxes in Portugal

RECENT  NEWS

Pay your IMI property tax in Portugal by direct debit

How to make a difference with your IRS Tax in Portugal

Important 2024 dates for IRS Tax in Portugal

“Taxa Turística” – an explanation on City Taxes in Portugal

• Property Management , Uncategorized

When visiting Portugal, you might be surprised with the request to pay an additional fee for your stay, the “Taxa Turistica”, or in English, the city tax. The price ranges from 0,50 to 2 euros per night. But what is this fee for? Read it all here!

“Taxa Turistica” - what are the conditions?

The city tax, or “Taxa turística” is an extra fee that is charged to people that stay overnight in certain Portuguese municipalities, more specifically: Lisbon, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Cascais, Faro, Braga, Sintra, Mafra, Óbidos, Santa Cruz (in Madeira) and Vila Real de Santo António. The amount of the fee depends on the municipality and the price ranges from 0,50 to 2 euros per night.

There are some exceptions to this fee, each of them adapted to the municipality in question!

Let’s have a look at the example of the Lisbon municipality:

• Guests under the age of 13 years old do not pay the fee;
• Guests (and their companions) who stay overnight because of health reasons, such as a doctors appointment (if a proof is shown), do not have to pay the fee;

Guests have to pay the fee for a maximum of 7 nights. This means that for the 8th, 9th, 10th, and any other night after the 7th, no charges of this fee will apply.

One of our Porto (Gaia) Properties: Dream Views of Porto

What is it for?

These city taxes have one goal: to provide municipalities with extra funds to preserve and improve infrastructures related to tourism. Think of roads, sidewalks, parks, traditional commerce and more.

An example of improvements that were made with the funds of the “Taxa turistica” is the finalization of the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda in Lisbon, in 2021. Thanks to the collected funds the municipality of Lisbon was able to finish the palace 200 years after the construction started!

One of our Lagos Properties: the Spacious 2 bedroom Apartment with Sea View

Would you like to know more about this topic?

Find the specificities of some municipalities here: Lisbon , Porto and Algarve (Faro) .

At Lisbeyond we do not make any profits on the collection of city taxes and the funds are directly paid to the proper authorities.

LisBeyond is always here to help, and also to answer all your questions, so if you have any ideas on a topic you would like to read, feel free to contact us only a click away.

We aim to share our best tips with you, local and authentic, and of partners that we trust. Get ready to get to know the Portugal we love so much! Follow us on social media to never miss an update

Latest News

Maximize Short Term Rental Income: Expert Strategies

The Growing Popularity of Midterm Rentals

The Vital Role of Quality Control in Property Management

• About Us (7)
• Property Management (39)
• Uncategorized (42)

Founded in 2018, Lisbeyond operates within Portugal’s high-end market. Lisbeyond establishes and maintains long-lasting partnerships with investors and homeowners. Our expertise lies in the development, remodeling, and management of properties. This end-to-end approach ensures quality service for all involved – investors, homeowners, guests, and tenants.

Contact Info

• +351 210 924 102
• [email protected]

Lisbeyond is officially registered as Velvetwoods II Lda, with fiscal number 516720066

In the case of complaints, we refer you to Livro de Reclamações Electrónico

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates, promotions, and offers delivered directly to you!

• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

How much is the TOURISTIC TAX?

Tourism tax rates in Portugal

Last updated 20 January 2023 | Rates for all destinations reviewed and updated

Taxa Turística

Type: Flat rate per person, per night

Decided by: local governments (municipalities). All municipalities regulate that the tax is levied on visitors staying overnight.

NB Algarve region is considering implementing the tax across all municipalities in the region (including Faro where already implemented). The proposed rate is €2 per person per night April-October and €1 per person per night November-March.

Below are selected destinations. Further information (and to verify current rate) can be found by clicking on the name of the destination.

Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed should be used as guidance only.

This content is exclusive to ETOA members

Login here to access it now.

Forgot your password?

Not a member yet?

The ETOA membership opens invaluable networking opportunities to your business, allows you to gain access to critical insights and information and contributes to the campaign for a better regulatory environment in Europe.

• Connect with the global travel trade
• Stay informed of insights, regulations and changes
• Be supported in shaping the tourism landscape

Hawaii Is the Latest Place to Consider a Tourist Tax—Here's Where Else Travelers Need to Pay to Enter

By Olivia Morelli

Hawaii is the latest destination to consider taxing visitors to help address the effects of climate change and overtourism, two issues that are particularly front of mind in the Aloha State following the devastating Lahaina fire .

The so-called climate tax is part of a bill first introduced in January that could pass as early as this spring. If approved, visitors to Hawaii would be charged a $25 flat fee during check-in at hotels and short-term rentals. The money would go onto support sustainability initiatives in the state including wildfire and flood prevention, coral reef restoration, emergency water supplies, green infrastructure, and coastal restoration.

The concept of tourist tax isn’t a new one. They have long been the norm for many countries in Europe such as Greece, Spain, and Germany, and hotel tax is standard across many destinations, including US states. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry was severe—hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues closed, people that relied on tourism for their livelihoods suddenly faced huge losses, and money that the government relied on for development and maintenance was depleted. As a result, many countries have decided to implement a tourist tax to help support local needs. Below, we take a look at what exactly tourist tax is, and which places are introducing the measure for 2024.

Bhutan's tourist tax (one of the most expensive fees on the list) recently decreased from $200 to $100 per night.

What is tourist tax?

Originally, tourist tax was introduced by certain governments with the aim of tempering overtourism and generating income from large numbers of travelers entering the destination. Bhutan , for example, has asked tourists to pay a significant sum of money to enter since it opened to international visitors in 1974. The country uses the tax (called the Daily Sustainable Development Fee) in an attempt to preserve the country’s natural, undisturbed beauty and to protect traditional Buddhist culture . Barcelona , meanwhile, uses the city’s tourist tax to fund local construction and development projects. Most tourist taxes are added onto the cost of your accommodation in the form of a percent or flat fee.

Which destinations will begin imposing tourist taxes in 2024?

• This January, Iceland reintroduced its tourist tax following a pandemic hiatus.
• The Indonesian government began taxing travelers visiting Bali from February 14, 2024.
• In 2024, the UK is imposing a new system called an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), whereby visitors from the US, Europe, Australia, and Canada will be required to apply for permission and pay to enter the country.
• Pro tip: Next year, the EU will begin implementing a new tourist visa , whereby non-EU citizens traveling from outside the Schengen zone will need to fill out a €7 (around $7.57) application to enter the country.

Bali started charging tourists a $10 entrance fee on February 14, 2024.

Which destinations currently impose tourist tax?

The below destinations currently impose tourist taxes on travelers entering the country, but the amount of tax charged changes frequently. While we have included some guidance on projected costs, make sure you check with your accommodation or the tourism board for each destination before traveling.

• Austria : The cost of tourist tax is typically added onto your accommodation bill, and is around 3.2% in Vienna.
• Belgium : In Brussels, the tourist tax is typically below $5 and is added onto your accommodation bill, but it varies from city to city.
• Bhutan : Visitors to Bhutan are required to pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person.
• Bulgaria : Tourist tax in Bulgaria varies on destination and hotel standard, but it is usually below $2.
• Caribbean islands: Most of the Caribbean islands charge tourist tax, and the price ranges depending on the island–in St Lucia, for example, it is around 8%, whereas in the Dominican Republic it is 18%.
• Croatia : The cost of tourist tax in Croatia depends on the season you are traveling in and where you are staying.
• Czech Republic: In Prague , tourist tax typically costs around CZK 50 per night (around $2).
• France : Tourist tax here is based on a municipal rate, but the standard cost is typically under $6 a night. As of this January, the nightly visitor fee in Paris has increased to between $3 and $17, dependent on hotel type.
• Germany : It varies from city to city–in Berlin , the standard tourist tax is 5% of the accommodation price.
• Greece : The price you pay in Greece depends on the standard and size of your accommodation. It shouldn’t be more than $5 per night.
• Hungary : Travelers should expect to pay around 4% of the cost of accommodation per night.
• Iceland: The newly reintroduced fee applies to travelers staying at campsites (about $2), hotels (about $4), and cruises (about $7).
• Italy: Venice will begin charging tourists a €5 nightly fee (about $5.50) in 2024.
• Indonesia: Starting on February 14, travelers will have to pay 150,000 rupiah (around $10) upon entering Bali .
• Italy : Depending on the city, tourist tax can be somewhere between $1 and $8 per night.
• Japan : If you’re traveling to Japan, expect to pay 1,000 yen (about $6.65) in tourist tax.
• Malaysia : In 2023, the cost of tourist tax across Malaysia was approximately $2 per night.
• New Zealand: Travelers visiting New Zealand have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which costs $35 NZD (about $22).
• Portugal : The country charges tourist tax in 13 cities, including Lisbon and Porto . The cost is about $2 per night.
• Thailand : The tourist tax for travelers visiting Thailand is 300 baht (about $8) for visitors arriving by air and 150 baht (about $4) for those arriving by land or water.
• The Netherlands : Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most expensive places for tourist tax–currently the rate states at 7% of accommodation price plus a flat rate of €3 (about $3.24) per person per night.
• Switzerland : The price varies depending on the destination, and it ranges from about CHF 2 (about $2.30) to CHF 7 (about $8) per person per night.
• Slovenia : Again, the rate changes from destination to destination (it is higher in cities than in more rural areas), but generally the cost is around €3 (about $3.24).
• Spain : Several cities in Spain have recently decided to raise the price of tourist tax, and other cities are in discussions about following suit. In Barcelona, the fee is €4 (about $4.30), whereas in the Balearic Islands the fee is between €1 (about $1.10).
• USA: When traveling to the US, visitors need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is a type of visa allowing travellers to stay in the country for up to 90 stays. It is valid for two years. The cost of an ESTA is $21. A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

These are all the destinations you’ll need to pay extra to visit this year

More and more popular travel destinations are introducing tourist taxes to tackle problems caused by overtourism – here’s what you’ll have to pay

This year, international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019 – and while that’s great news for the tourism industry in general, many cities, attractions and entire regions are suffering under the weight of overtourism .

The potential for damage to historic sites, unhinged tourist behaviour  and the simple issue of overcrowding are all common consequences of overtourism. That’s why a growing list of popular travel destinations have introduced a tourist tax, with the hopes of controlling visitor numbers and improving local infrastructure to better cater to higher visitor capacity. 

Many countries and cities introduced a tourist tax in 2023, and many more are due to launch theirs in 2024. Tourist taxes aren’t a new thing – you’ve probably paid one before, tied in with the cost of a plane ticket or the taxes you pay at a hotel. 

However, more destinations than ever before are creating this fee for tourists, and many places have increased the cost of existing ones. Here’s a full list of all the destinations charging a tourist tax in 2024, including all the recently introduced and upcoming tourist taxes you need to know about. 

Austria charges visitors a nightly accommodation tax which differs depending on province. In Vienna or Salzburg , you could pay 3.02 percent per person on top of the hotel bill. 

Belgium , like Austria, has a nightly fee. Some hotels include it in the rate of the room and add it separately to your bill, so read it carefully.

The rate in Brussels is charged per room, and varies depending on the size and rating of your hotel, but is usually around €7.50. Antwerp also charges per room. 

Bhutan has always been known for its steep tourist taxes and charges. In 2022, the Himalayan kingdom  tripled the amount it charged visitors in tax  to a minimum of  $200 per day , but that amount has since been lowered. In 2024, the daily fee for the majority of visitors is  $ 100,  and that is due to continue until August 31, 2027. 

Bulgaria applies a fee to overnight stays, but it reaches a maximum of only €1.50. 

Caribbean Islands

The following Caribbean Islands charge a tourist tax, ranging from between €13 to €45: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic , Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. 

The tax tends to be tied into the cost of a hotel or a departure fee. 

Croatia only charges its visitors a fee of 10 kuna (€1.33) per night during peak season. 

Czechia (also known as Czech Republic)

Czechia only applies a fee to those travelling to Prague . It doesn’t apply to those under the age of 18, and is less than €1 per person, per night. 

France ’s ‘taxe de séjour’ varies depending on city, and tends to be added to your hotel bill. It varies from €0.20 to €4 per person, per night. 

Earlier this month, Paris announced it would be increasing its fee by up to 200 percent for those staying in hotels, Airbnbs, and campsites, but that it plans to put the funds towards improving the city’s services and infrastructure. 

READ MORE: The cost of visiting Paris will soar this summer – here’s why

Germany charges visitors a ‘culture tax’ (kulturförderabgabe) and a ‘bed tax’ (bettensteuer) in certain cities, including Frankfurt , Hamburg and Berlin , which tends to be around five percent of your hotel bill. 

Greece ’s tourist tax is based on numbers. Specifically, how many stars a hotel has, and the number of rooms you’re renting. The fee was introduced by the Greek Ministry of tourism to help pay off the country’s debt, and can be anything from €4 per room.

Hungary charges visitors four percent of the price of their room, but only in Budapest . 

Iceland is introducing a tourist tax to protect its ‘unspoilt nature’ this year, which will cost between  €4 to €7 per night. It comes after annual tourist numbers reached an estimated 2.3 million per year. 

In Indonesia , the only destination which charges a tourist tax is Bali , and the fee is set to increase this February  to $10 (£7.70, €8.90, IDR 150,000) – but is a one-time entry fee, not a nightly tax. It apparently goes towards protecting the island’s ‘environment and culture.’

Much like in France, Italy ’s tourist tax varies depending on your location. Rome ’s fee is usually between €3 to €7 per night, but some smaller Italian towns charge more. 

Venice finally announced in September that its tourist tax, a €5 (£4.30, $5.40) fee which will be applicable on various days during high season, will launch in 2024. It only applies to day-trippers rather than those staying overnight, though.

Japan has a departure tax of around 1,000 yen (€8). 

Malaysia has a flat-rate tax which it applies to each night you stay, of around €4 a night. 

New Zealand

New Zealand ’s tax comes in the from of an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of around €21 which much be paid upon arrival, but that does not apply to people from Australia. 

Netherlands

The Netherlands has both a land and water tax. Amsterdam is set to increase its fee  by 12.5 percent in 2024, making it the highest tourist tax in the European Union. 

Portugal has a low tourist tax of €2, which applies to all those over the age of 13. It’s only applicable on the first seven nights of your visit and applies in 13 Portuguese municipalities, including Faro, Lisbon and Porto.   

Olhão became the latest area to start charging the fee between April and October. Outside of this period, it gets reduced to €1 and is capped at five nights all year round. The money goes towards minimising the impact of tourism in the Algarve town. 

Slovenia also bases its tax on location and hotel rating. In larger cities and resorts, such as Ljubljana and Bled, the fee is higher, but still only around €3 per night. 

Spain 

Spain applies its Sustainable Tourism Tax to holiday accommodation in the Balearic Islands to each visitor over the age of sixteen. Tourists can be charged up to €4 per night during high season. 

Barcelona ’s city authorities announced they plan to increase the city’s tourist tax over the next two years – the fee is set to rise to €3.25 on April 1, 2024. The council said the money would go towards improving infrastructure and services. This is in addition to regional Catalan tax. 

Switzerland

Switzerland ’s tax varies depending on location, but the per person, per night cost is around €2.20. It tends to be specified as a separate amount on your accommodation bill. 

Thailand 

Thailand introduced a tourist tax to the price of flights in April 2022, in a similar effort to the Balinese aim of moving away from its rep as a ‘cheap’ holiday destination. The fee for all international visitors is 300 baht (£6.60, $9). 

The US has an ‘occupancy tax’ which applies across most of the country to travellers renting accommodation such as hotels, motels and inns. Houston is estimated to be the highest, where they charge you an extra 17 percent of your hotel bill. 

Hawaii  could be imposing a ‘green fee’ – initially set at $50 but since lowered to $25 – which would apply to every tourist over the age of 15. It still needs to be passed by lawmakers, but if approved, it wouldn’t be instated until 2025.

The European Union

Finally, the European Union is planning on introducing a tourist visa , due to start in 2024. The €7 application will have to be filled out by all non-Schengen visitors between the ages of 18 and 70, including Brits and Americans. 

READ MORE: Why sustainable tourism isn’t enough anymore

Stay in the loop: sign up to our   free Time Out Travel newsletter   for all the latest travel news. 

• Liv Kelly Contributing Writer

Share the story

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

• Print Edition
• Classifieds

Subscribe to our newsletter

Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email.

Lisbon to start cruise tourist tax

From January onwards, the Port of Lisbon will begin charging operators of cruise ships arriving in Lisbon the city's tourist tax of two euros for each passenger who disembarks.

By TPN, in News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon · 15 Dec 2023, 12:05 · 1 Comments

According to Público , the two euros for each passenger who disembarks will be paid by ship operators, through the Janela Única Logística platform.

The information was given to the newspaper by the Administration of the Port of Lisbon ( APL ), which said it was finalizing the details of the procedure, resulting from a protocol to be signed with the Lisbon City Council ( CML ), corresponding to additional annual tax revenue of €1.2 million.

"At this moment, the conditions are met for the same [tax] to be implemented", said the APL, adding that it was "finalizing the protocol to be signed with the Lisbon City Council, in order to regulate the collection of the tourist tax, similarly to of what happens for the hotel industry".

"We are currently finalizing the final version of the document with the CML and internally implementing the procedures so that the fee is charged to passengers who make a stopover to visit the city", APL told the newspaper.

The Administration of the Port of Lisbon also told Público that the operators were already, "several months ago", informed that the collection of the fee would take place in 2024, as it was communicated through the Cruise Lines International Association ( CLIA ), the representative association of cruise ship owners.

APL also ensured that the fee was not charged in 2023 as sales of cruise activity occurred in advance.

"By only coming into force in 2024, it allowed the cost of the value relating to the tourist tax to be included at the time of sale", explained APL to Público.

Share this article: Share

More in News

Portugal needs to build “45,000 homes per year”

In News , Portugal , Property - 14 Apr 2024, 19:05

Germans and Portuguese celebrate “Freedom Festival”

In News , Portugal , Europe - 14 Apr 2024, 16:02

Which Algarve city has the most churches?

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Algarve - 14 Apr 2024, 15:02

Support The Portugal News

We are proud to provide our readers from around the world with independent, honest and unbiased news for free – both online and in print. Our dedicated team supports the local community, foreign residents and visitors of all nationalities through our newspaper, website, social media and our newsletter.

We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to, we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small .

You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time.

Pure greed by portugal , not happy with folks visiting portugal to spend their Money. If I were a passenger I would stay on the ship. But the portugese often give themselves a bad name.

By Karl blore from Algarve on 15 Dec 2023, 19:10

Related articles

Cruise taxes begin

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 01 Apr 2024, 16:02

Lisbon tourist taxes

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 09 Feb 2024, 09:05

Record breaking cruise numbers

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 15 Jan 2024, 19:05

Cruise operators come under fire due to tourist tax

In News , Tourism , Lisbon - 06 Dec 2023, 12:02

Air quality impact of cruise tourism “insignificant”

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Environment , Lisbon - 21 Nov 2023, 16:05

Cork Woman Being Recognised on the Global Citizen Award

In Ireland - 14 Apr 2024, 19:01

Algarve Street Cat Charity Up for International Animal Welfare Award

In Community , Algarve , Good News - 14 Apr 2024, 18:01

A fortified village in the clouds

In Hidden Gems , Portugal - 14 Apr 2024, 18:01

Other News Articles

CCTV for Madeira

In News , Portugal , Madeira & Azores - 14 Apr 2024, 14:05

Cinema bouncing back

In News , Business , Portugal , Entertainment - 14 Apr 2024, 12:05

Promoting environmental awareness

In News , Portugal , Education , Environment , Algarve - 14 Apr 2024, 10:02

Calls to protect Cascais landscape

In News , Portugal - 14 Apr 2024, 09:05

Portugal in Top 10 Most Popular Babymoon Destinations

In News , Portugal , Lifestyle , Tourism - 14 Apr 2024, 08:05

Portugal a country with a unique housing model

In News , Portugal , Property - 13 Apr 2024, 19:05

Send us your comments or opinion on this article.

Available languages

Login to your account

• Forgot your password?
• Forgot your username?

Create an account

Lisbon's tourist tax - what do other European countries do?

Such taxes capture revenue from outside the country so they are politically easy as voters don’t pay the tax; tourists and other travellers do raising a ‘taxation without representation’ issue.

Governments are accountable to tourists through market mechanisms so if the promised ‘investments’ from the tax are not used to develop an enhanced and tourist-friendly environment, then they will take their tourism euros elsewhere.

Tourists have to pay for an for an overnight accommodation tax, charged according to the province you are staying in. It’s currently around £1.72 per person per night. Children under 15 are exempt.

In Antwerp there is a fixed rate of £1.89 per person per night for hotels or 42p per night for campsites. In Bruges, there is a tourist tax of £1.58 per person per night. This applies to all tourist accommodation. Ghent has a City Tax of £1.95 per person per night. And in Brussels, there is a City Tax which is charged per room, per year according to Borough, hotel size and hotel classification. For example, a stay at the Brussels Novotel will charge you £5.86 per night.

They have a City Tax or a Resort Tax on visitors which varies by area and hotel classification. City Tax is charged per person per night. It ranged from 39p to £1.20.

The Resort Tax applies in some areas like Littoral and is charged per person, per stay as opposed to per person, per night.

Holidaymakers over 18 will have to pay a ‘Sojourn Tax’. This ranges from 21p per person, per night to 73p depending on the category of accommodation and the season. Those aged between 12-18 will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.

There is tourist tax which is charged per person, per night and varies due to the quality of accommodation.

The country usually refers to these taxes as Bed Tax or Culture Tax. The taxes can be around £4 per night or 5 per cent of your room bill.

This will depend on the type of accommodation you’re staying in and your location.

        Netherlands:

The tourist accommodation tax here is charged per person, per night in nearly all of the 421 municipalities. They can vary due to hotel grade and accommodation type. The other municipalities charge a percentage which can vary by hotel star, rating or type of accommodation.

Since January 2016, visitors to the capital of Lisbon have to pay a Municipal Tourist Tax of 79p per person per night. Children under 13 are exempt.

The tax revenue does not yet match the number of visitors arriving in the capital with many of those arriving by air not being asked for payment but the accommodation sector is acting as the main tax collector.  

Individual of the Algarve's mayors are pushing to introduce a similar scheme in the south.

This tax is charged at 1 per cent against the total value of the accommodation for each night. If the accommodation is in a tourist resort the tax is for the first night only.

The tourist tax here ranges from 48p to 99p per person, per night. This does vary on location and hotel grade. The capital of Llubljana charges a daily tourist tax of 49p to 99p. In Vane?a, Fokovci, Vino and Moravske Toplice, the tax is currently 80p per person, per night for adults.

The tax ranges from €2 (£1.66) a day for customers residing in five-star resorts to 50 cents for those staying in hostels and shelters. The tax will be discounted 50% for stays in low season and longer than 20 days.

In all cases, holidaymakers will now be asked to make a payment on arrival or when as they are set to return home.

The tax will not apply to children under 16 but parents will have to provide proof of age with passports or other legal documentation.

The popular holiday hotspots set to be hit by the tax include Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera and although the Balearic government is hailing the tax, expected to €30 million a year,  as a success, travel agents and hoteliers remain sceptical about the effect it is having on tourism to the islands.

The autonomous Spanish community of Catalonia, whose Costa Brava is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, started to levy a tourist tax on November 1, 2012.

The Catalonia Tourist Tax applies to any facility where tourists stay overnight, from campgrounds and youths hostel to hotels and cruise ships.

Tourist apartments and private houses rented to tourists are subject to the charges as well.

Switzerland:

Anyone staying overnight in Switzerland will have to pay a tourist tax. It’s charged per person, per night and will vary by town and accommodation. The tax is divided into two elements.

The Beherbergungsabgabe (BA tax) and Kurtaxe. The BA tax goes towards paying for tourism advertising and maintaining infrastructure in regions, but the Kurtaxe is used to improve the tourism experience for visitors.

European country research based on an online Express report, 2016

Comments  

You must be a registered user to make comments. Please register here to post your comments.

• Previous Newsletters
• Algarve Oil
• Madeleine McCann
• Ria Formosa
• Submarine case
• Algarve Real Estate Agents
• Algarve Legends
• Algarve Markets
• Algarve Towns & Villages
• Algarve Wine Guide
• Art & Culture
• Clubs & Associations
• Environment
• Food & Wine
• Health & Beauty
• Home & Family
• Old Portuguese Stuff
• Portugal in Statistics
• Public Holidays
• Readers' Views
• Thoughts from Porto...
• World Affairs
• What's Happening?
• Charity News
• See Classified Ads
• Place an Ad

Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Portugal

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Lisbon, Portugal will pay the following taxes as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 2.00 € per person per night, up to a maximum of 14.00 € per person for reservations in Lisbon, Portugal. For detailed information, please visit the City of Lisbon website .

Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Porto, Portugal will pay the following tax and fees as part of their reservation:

• Tourist Tax: 2.00 € per person per night, up to a maximum of 7 nights for reservations in Porto, Portugal. For detailed information, please visit the City of Porto website .

Find out more about how occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb works .

Note: Hosts located in these areas are responsible for assessing all other tax obligations, including state and city jurisdictions. Hosts with listings in these areas should also review their agreement with Airbnb under the Terms of Service and familiarize themselves with the Occupancy Tax provisions which allow us to collect and remit taxes on their behalf and explains how the process works. Under those provisions, hosts instruct and authorize Airbnb to collect and remit Occupancy Taxes on their behalf in jurisdictions where Airbnb decides to facilitate such collection. If a host believes applicable laws exempt the host from collecting a tax that Airbnb collects and remits on the host's behalf, the host has agreed that, by accepting the reservation, the host is waiving that exemption. If a host does not want to waive an exemption the host believes exists, the host should not accept the reservation.

Related articles

What kind of taxes do i need to pay as an experience host in portugal, how does occupancy tax collection and remittance by airbnb work, can i collect occupancy taxes for bookings.

• Lisbon Tourism
• Lisbon Hotels
• Lisbon Bed and Breakfast
• Lisbon Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Lisbon
• Lisbon Restaurants
• Things to Do in Lisbon
• Lisbon Travel Forum
• Lisbon Photos
• All Lisbon Hotels
• Lisbon Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Lisbon
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

City Tourist Tax - Lisbon Forum

• Europe    
• Portugal    
• Central Portugal    
• Lisbon District    
• Lisbon    

City Tourist Tax

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Lisbon District forums
• Lisbon forum

I have just booked our usual hotel for over the New Year and at the bottom of the confirmation is the following

Apparently there is already a 1 euro tax for each international passenger arriving at the airport but at the moment that is being paid by ANA.

This is the first I have heard about the tax.

Unfortunately I don't see any Portuguese television news. If I did my portuguese would be much better than it is.

I did do a search on this forum to see if it had been discussed before, but couldn't find anything. I posted just to warn people that they may get asked for the tax at the hotel from next year.

Yes, it's a new thing and I think that most people will be surprised by it, because I suspect that most hotels will not do what yours did...

Hi blossomr,

As it was mentioned before there’s been a huge debate about the fee that will be charged but I think that in the future it will be automatically included in ticket prices. Since it’s something new, you’ll probably have to pay it on your arrival.

Hope it helped.

Afonso, this question is about the new tax at hotels, that one has to be paid to the hotel, like in the states or other cities in europe.

Here's updated info about that tax http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/fileadmin/MUNICIPIO/Camara_Municipal/Financas/Taxas_Municipais/flyerTMT_UK_web.pdf

Actually, it is not applicable in all European Cities. Many do have this tax, but many do not. It depends on the local city council.

• Private driver for day trip from Lisbon 2:10 pm
• Bar suggestions for Sunday/Monday evenings 12:41 pm
• Where to hang out/rest post-red-eye, pre-check-in? 12:34 pm
• Sporting-Vitoria match 8:10 am
• Alfa pendular train june 17, 2024 7:38 am
• Transportation 2:57 am
• Lisbon Beach ideas for Proposal yesterday
• Lisbon to Porto via train yesterday
• Please help - car rental question yesterday
• Lisbon airport to Oriente to get train to Sintra yesterday
• Peña palace Apr 12, 2024
• Special occasion restaurant please Apr 12, 2024
• train help Apr 12, 2024
• Advice for typical restaurants Apr 12, 2024
• How can I travel from Seville to Lisbon? 18 replies
• Lisbon to Barcelona 10 replies
• train faro to lisbon 12 replies
• Best Part of the City to stay in Lisbon 4 replies
• Best beach close to Lisbon 7 replies
• Where to stay in Lisbon for 1st time? 5 replies
• Lagos to Lisbon by bus / train 4 replies
• december in portugal 5 replies
• Hop on hop off tourist bus 8 replies
• Transfers from Lisbon to Cascais 9 replies

Lisbon Hotels and Places to Stay

• Flight Connecting Times Lisbon Airport
• How do I get from the airport to Cascais
• How do I get from point A to B using public transportation?
• How do I get to Sintra? How do I get around Sintra? What can I do in Sintra?
• How to locate a lost item
• Which area should I stay in? Can you recommend a hotel or an apartment?
• Where can I eat?
• What can I do in Lisbon? What is there for kids to do in Lisbon?
• Left Luggage in Lisbon
• Lisbon: Getting Around
• How do I get from the airport to the city?
• Lisbon Restaurants to consider...

Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are soon planning to)?

When traveling abroad, it's a good idea to account for any tourist taxes you must pay during your stay.

Some tourist taxes are a small extra cost added to what you pay for your accommodation per night. Others may be a one-and-done (or even daily) fee, such as Thailand's new tourist tax . In some places like Bhutan, these fees can be quite costly.

You might find your vacation spot has implemented this kind of tax for several reasons. It could be a response to overtourism and concerns about sustainability and the environment (case in point: Venice, Italy), or it could simply be a way to help the local economy put funds back into tourism infrastructure.

Here, we'll look at top tourist destinations that charge a tourism tax and how much each will cost you.

Europe and the United Kingdom

Amsterdam's tourist tax is 7% of the hotel price plus 3 euros ($3.32) per night, with other types of taxes for different accommodations. (Find out more about the various kinds of taxes on Amsterdam's official website .)

Balearic Islands, Spain

Fees on the islands vary from 1 euro to 4 euros ($1 to $4.40) per night, depending on the accommodation type. This sustainable tourism tax applies to Menorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza.

Barcelona charges 5 euros ($5.53) per night in rental accommodation or 6.25 euros ($6.92) per night for a luxury hotel stay. These fees reflect April 2023's changes, with a further uplift to come in 2024.

In Berlin, the tourist tax is 5% of the room price. It varies in other cities such as Frankfurt — 2 euros ($2.21) per night — and Hamburg — up to 3 euros ($3.32) per night.

Depending on the accommodation type, Greece charges 0.50 euros (55 cents) to 4 euros ($4.43) per night.

Manchester, England

The newly introduced City Visitor Charge costs 1 British pound ($1.25) per room, per night.

The city charges 0.80 euros (89 cents) to 4 euros ($4.43) per night, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. (Find out more here .)

The tax is 2 euros ($2.21) per night for the first seven nights in Lisbon and Porto. Other parts of the country that charge a tourist tax usually have lower fees around 1 euro to 1.50 euros ($1.11 to $1.66) per night.

In the capital of the Czech Republic, there is a charge of 50 koruna ($2.36) per person, per night for hotel stays.

In Rome, the tax varies from 3 to 7 euros ($3.32 to $7.75) per night, depending on the star rating of your accommodation.

Valencia, Spain

From the end of 2023 on, tourist taxes in Valencia will range from 0.50 euros to 2 euros (50 cents to $2.20) per night, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.

Venice, Italy

Taxes in this popular tourist destination vary from 1 euro to 5 euros ($1.11 to $5.50) per night and are paid to your accommodation. A separate tax for people visiting on a daytrip — which will cost between 3 and 10 euros ($3.32 and $11), depending on the time of year — is expected to come in the future.

Other destinations

Additional places in Europe that charge tourist taxes include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some locales may only have regional tourist taxes.

Tourist taxes can always be introduced later, so be sure to do your own research before you travel. This is especially true for Edinburgh, Scotland, as the city is on the brink of introducing a tax of 2 euros ($2.50) per night . Potential tourism tax discussions are also underway in Wales .

North America

A Transient Occupancy Tax of around 10% to 14% of the room price will appear on hotel stays, according to Turbotax . There may be other tourism-related taxes as well.

Rates vary across the country, but Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec are among the areas that add a visitor tax to a hotel's price.

While Hawaii doesn't currently have a tourist tax, a $50 Green Fee visitor payment could be coming soon .

New York City

The tourist tax here costs about 14% of the room price plus up to $2 per room, per night, according to the New York City government website .

In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should expect taxes and fees on hotel stays in most other U.S. states.

Latin America, South America and the Caribbean

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tourists will pay $1.50 per room, per night when staying in Argentina's capital city.

The Caribbean

Taxes vary by country in the Caribbean. For example, Bonaire has a one-off $75 fee that tourists need to pay via its official website , while Aruba adds 9.5% to your room rate plus $3 per room, per night. In Barbados, you'll pay $2.50 to $10 per room, per night, and there will typically be a $70 departure tax already included in your flight cost.

Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also known to apply tourist taxes. Check details before booking or traveling, as some may be a departure tax already included in your airfare.

Quintana Roo, Mexico

This region charges a one-off tourist payment of 224 Mexican pesos ($12.39) to visit any destination in Quintana Roo. This includes Cancun, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. A tourist tax may also be added to hotel stays in these areas and other parts of Mexico.

Asia and the Pacific

Bali, Indonesia

A tourism tax is currently being considered for Bali, according to The Guardian .

Bhutan charges a whopping $200 fee per day. Known as the Sustainable Development Fee, this tourist tax is designed to assist with paying for infrastructure improvements, environmental efforts and fair wages for locals, among other things.

There is a charge of 1,000 yen ($7.57) included in all airfare for flights departing Japan. (Find out more here .)

Malaysia's tourist tax costs 10 Malaysian ringgits ($2.27) per room, per night.

The tourism tax in the Maldives ranges from $3 to $6 per day. The Green Tax total varies depending on if you're staying in a guesthouse, hotel or resort. (Find out more here .)

New Zealand

When you book your New Zealand visa, you'll usually pay 35 New Zealand dollars (around $22) for the International Visitor Levy.

There may be tourism-related taxes on hotel stays in Sri Lanka, according to Rough Guides .

A one-time fee of 300 baht ($8.79) will be introduced in June 2023. All tourists arriving by air will need to pay this tax. For visitors who enter the country via a port or land border, the fee will be 150 baht ($4.40).

• Print Edition
• Classifieds

Subscribe to our newsletter

Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email.

Lisbon to start cruise tourist tax

From January onwards, the Port of Lisbon will begin charging operators of cruise ships arriving in Lisbon the city's tourist tax of two euros for each passenger who disembarks.

By TPN, in News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon · 15 Dec 2023, 12:05 · 1 Comments

According to Público , the two euros for each passenger who disembarks will be paid by ship operators, through the Janela Única Logística platform.

The information was given to the newspaper by the Administration of the Port of Lisbon ( APL ), which said it was finalizing the details of the procedure, resulting from a protocol to be signed with the Lisbon City Council ( CML ), corresponding to additional annual tax revenue of €1.2 million.

"At this moment, the conditions are met for the same [tax] to be implemented", said the APL, adding that it was "finalizing the protocol to be signed with the Lisbon City Council, in order to regulate the collection of the tourist tax, similarly to of what happens for the hotel industry".

"We are currently finalizing the final version of the document with the CML and internally implementing the procedures so that the fee is charged to passengers who make a stopover to visit the city", APL told the newspaper.

The Administration of the Port of Lisbon also told Público that the operators were already, "several months ago", informed that the collection of the fee would take place in 2024, as it was communicated through the Cruise Lines International Association ( CLIA ), the representative association of cruise ship owners.

APL also ensured that the fee was not charged in 2023 as sales of cruise activity occurred in advance.

"By only coming into force in 2024, it allowed the cost of the value relating to the tourist tax to be included at the time of sale", explained APL to Público.

Share this article: Share

More in News

Portugal needs to build “45,000 homes per year”

In News , Portugal , Property - 14 Apr 2024, 19:05

Germans and Portuguese celebrate “Freedom Festival”

In News , Portugal , Europe - 14 Apr 2024, 16:02

Which Algarve city has the most churches?

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Algarve - 14 Apr 2024, 15:02

Support The Portugal News

We are proud to provide our readers from around the world with independent, honest and unbiased news for free – both online and in print. Our dedicated team supports the local community, foreign residents and visitors of all nationalities through our newspaper, website, social media and our newsletter.

We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to, we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small .

You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time.

Pure greed by portugal , not happy with folks visiting portugal to spend their Money. If I were a passenger I would stay on the ship. But the portugese often give themselves a bad name.

By Karl blore from Algarve on 15 Dec 2023, 19:10

Related articles

Cruise taxes begin

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 01 Apr 2024, 16:02

Lisbon tourist taxes

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 09 Feb 2024, 09:05

Record breaking cruise numbers

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Lisbon - 15 Jan 2024, 19:05

Cruise operators come under fire due to tourist tax

In News , Tourism , Lisbon - 06 Dec 2023, 12:02

Air quality impact of cruise tourism “insignificant”

In News , Portugal , Tourism , Environment , Lisbon - 21 Nov 2023, 16:05

Cork Woman Being Recognised on the Global Citizen Award

In Ireland - 14 Apr 2024, 19:01

Algarve Street Cat Charity Up for International Animal Welfare Award

In Community , Algarve , Good News - 14 Apr 2024, 18:01

A fortified village in the clouds

In Hidden Gems , Portugal - 14 Apr 2024, 18:01

Other News Articles

CCTV for Madeira

In News , Portugal , Madeira & Azores - 14 Apr 2024, 14:05

Cinema bouncing back

In News , Business , Portugal , Entertainment - 14 Apr 2024, 12:05

Promoting environmental awareness

In News , Portugal , Education , Environment , Algarve - 14 Apr 2024, 10:02

Calls to protect Cascais landscape

In News , Portugal - 14 Apr 2024, 09:05

Portugal in Top 10 Most Popular Babymoon Destinations

In News , Portugal , Lifestyle , Tourism - 14 Apr 2024, 08:05

Portugal a country with a unique housing model

In News , Portugal , Property - 13 Apr 2024, 19:05

Send us your comments or opinion on this article.

Available languages