Porto established a Tourist Tax effective from 1 March 2018

Porto established a Tourist Tax. It was done by resolution of the City Council and it should be applicable from 1 March 2018. This tax is not applicable to reservations made prior to that date.

Both domestic and foreign tourists staying a night in Porto are required to pay a tax. This tax is paid per person and night. The typical amount is 2 euros per sleepover, however the amount is slightly different per person.

The document reads that the tax is applicable to "hotel guests aged over 13 years, birthdate included, irrespective of their place of residence". Those guests whose stay is determined by medical reasons "are exempt to pay this tax" as well as "guests who are disabled to a degree of 65% or more".

This tax must be charged at the end of the stay. The tourist tax will represent a revenue of six million euros in 2018, which will help develop housing standards in Porto.

Mayor Rui Moreira considers that "given the success of Porto as a reference destination and the steady growth of the city, both residents and migrant population attend to the city centre on a daily basis, which imply a considerable rise of pressure on infrastructure and public equipment in urban space and public road".

According to Mayor Rui Moreira, this tax will help mitigate the tourist footprint as well.