Sintra Will Charge €2/Night Tourist Tax

21 May 2018

Following the example of Lisbon, Sintra will start charging an overnight tourist fee of two euros, beginning next year. However, the municipality led by Basílio Horta also intends to reduce the municipal rates on luxury projects, hoping to increase the investment in tourism in the county.

The new regulation, which envisages the creation of the “overnight tourist tax” to be charged on a per room basis by tourist developments and local accommodations, “up to a maximum of three nights”, was approved by the mayor last week and will enter in force in 2019.

The revenue stemming from the €2 tourist tax “will be slated for projects, studies, facilities and infrastructure that have a direct or indirect impact on the development of quality tourism in the municipality.” The funds are intended to target “sustainable, long-term growth” according to the proposal by the president of the municipality, Basílio Horta (Socialist Party), as cited by Lusa.

A reduction to municipal fees to attract luxury tourism

On the other hand, the new regulations provide for a reduction in the municipal fees levied on urban operations that include initiatives for “the reduction of energy consumption” and increasing water reuse, with a 25% drop in the urban infrastructure tax (TRIU).

According to the news agency, the proposal states that, to promote “high-quality tourism and tourism enterprises in place of mass tourism which would degrade the region’s attractiveness, a reduction of 45% in fees due for the issuance of property use permits for five-star tourist enterprises.”

Original Story: Idealista

Translation: Richard Turner