What about what counts as alojamento local?

AL is temporary paid accommodation for tourists in a property that does not qualify as a classified tourist development such as a hotel or rural tourism unit. The guide says an offer is presumed to be AL when a property is advertised or intermediated as tourist or temporary accommodation, including on websites, or when it is furnished and offers services such as cleaning for stays under 30 days. There are four modalities:

What about capacity limits?

The guide sets a maximum of 9 rooms and 27 guests per establishment. Hostels have no limit and the Quartos modality is limited to three rooms. Guests cannot exceed the number of rooms multiplied by two, with room for two more guests in the living room for apartments and houses. Extra beds are allowed up to 50 percent of the fixed beds. These limits do not apply to establishments already registered when the 2014 decree took effect.

What about how registration works?

Registration is a comunicacao previa com prazo (prior notice with a deadline) addressed to the president of the local Camara Municipal and submitted only through the Balcao Unico Eletronico. If the municipality does not oppose within 60 days (90 days in a containment area), the system gives you a registration number. The guide lists the grounds for opposition: an incorrect application, a cancellation period still running, breaching restrictions in a containment or sustainable growth area, no sui

What about after you register?

- The registration number must appear in your advertising, commercial documents and on every online platform listing. Platforms must show it too. - Take out liability insurance with a minimum cover of EUR 75,000 per establishment per incident. Condominium properties also need fire damage cover. - Keep a complaints book in physical and electronic form, display the AL identification plaque at the entrance, and provide an information book for guests in Portuguese, English and at least two more lang

What about what the guide does not state?

It does not give tax rates, a registration fee or the current list of municipal containment areas. It also notes municipal inspections may happen within 60 or 90 days of your notice. Ask your Camara Municipal and a local accountant about these.

Do I need a number before I list on a booking site?

Yes. The guide says offering, advertising or intermediating an unregistered or outdated AL is not allowed, and platforms must display the registration number.

Can a tenant register an AL?

A holder does not have to own the property, but must upload a lease or other title and the landlord's authorisation where the lease does not already allow short-term letting.

How many guests can an AL hold?

At most 9 rooms and 27 guests, except hostels, which have no cap. Check the room-by-two rule too.

Does the registration expire?

The guide says the 5-year validity introduced in 2023 was revoked by Decree-Law 76/2024. Confirm the current position with your municipality.

What about once you are registered?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution makes you earn. If you plan to list on several booking sites, keep one registration number and one calendar in sync across all of them: the free channel manager guide explains how calendar sync works and where it falls short. Fursat's own guest inventory is in India, so if you also run a property there, start at /list-your-property. New to hosting in general? Read How to Start a Homestay in India for the basics that carry across markets.

Journal/Homestay Guides

5 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Register a Short-Term Rental (Alojamento Local) in Portugal

Portugal registers short-term rentals as Alojamento Local through a prior notice on the Balcao Unico Eletronico. Here is the process, the capacity limits, the documents and the duties that follow.

Sneha Surana

portugalalojamento-localshort-term-rental-registration

How to Register a Short-Term Rental (Alojamento Local) in Portugal

Keep reading.

Do I need a number before I list on a booking site?

Can a tenant register an AL?

How many guests can an AL hold?

Does the registration expire?