Portugal
Short-term rental rules in Porto
Legal regime
Short-term rental (Alojamento Local, AL) regime under Decreto-Lei 128/2014 (consolidated), as amended by Decreto-Lei 76/2024 of 23 October, which revoked the most restrictive AL measures introduced by Lei 56/2023 (Mais Habitacao) including the national suspension of new registrations and the automatic expiry (caducidade) of existing registrations. Operation requires a prior electronic notification (comunicacao previa com prazo) via the Balcao Unico Eletronico (ePortugal), which assigns an RNAL/RNT registration number. Standard processing period: 60 business days; in municipally designated containment areas (areas de contencao), 90 business days with possible municipal opposition. AL modalities: moradia (autonomous single-family house), apartamento (independent fraction), estabelecimentos de hospedagem/hostels, and quartos (up to 3 rooms in the operator's own dwelling). Capacity cap of 9 rooms and 27 users per establishment (except hostels). Porto's historic central parishes are subject to municipal containment provisions adopted by Camara Municipal do Porto.
Key parameters
- License required
- Yes
- Max nights/year
- No cap specified
License process
Mandatory prior electronic notification (comunicacao previa com prazo) to the Balcao Unico Eletronico via ePortugal, with an RNAL/RNT number issued before operation can begin. 60 business days standard processing; 90 business days in containment areas where the municipality may oppose new registrations. Operator must declare the AL modality (moradia, apartamento, hostel, quartos) and respect the per-building cap on the share of fractions an operator may exploit. No municipal license fee is charged for the registration itself, but municipal urban-control fees and national tax obligations (IMI, IRS or IRC on rental income) apply separately. Capacity must remain within 9 rooms / 27 users per AL establishment (except hostels).
Applicable taxes
Recent changes
-
2024-10-23
Decreto-Lei 76/2024 revokes the bulk of the AL-restrictive measures introduced by Lei 56/2023 (Mais Habitacao): repeals the national suspension on new AL registrations, removes the automatic expiry (caducidade) of registrations, and restores municipal containment zones as the operative restriction mechanism.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a licence or registration to run a short-term rental in Porto?
- Yes, a licence or registration is recorded as required to run a short-term rental in Porto (per this tracker, as of Jun 16, 2026). See the details on this page for the process and any conditions. Verify against the official sources listed on this page before relying on it for an operational decision.