The mayor of Évora, Portugal, Carlos Pinto de Sá, has announced plans to introduce a tourist tax starting in early 2025.
Pinto de Sá explained that the draft regulation for the tax on overnight stays will be presented at a council meeting to gather input from local officials, Schengen.News reports.
According to local media, after the public discussion period, it will return to the council for approval before being sent to the municipal assembly, which will meet in December. The mayor aims for the tax to take effect at the beginning of 2025.
He noted that this decision continues a process that began in 2019 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-2020.
The mayor also emphasised that while tourism is vital to the local economy, it also increases waste and affects public spaces. The revenue from the tax is intended to help cover costs related to waste management, tourism promotion, and heritage restoration.
As planned in 2019, there will also be exemptions for certain groups, such as hospital patients and members of sports clubs or non-profit organisations, who must stay overnight in Évora. Another proposed exemption could apply to tourists staying longer than two or three days, encouraging extended visits.
Cities Across Portugal Adopt Tourist Fees
Regarding the tax amount, Pinto de Sá mentioned that in 2019, it was set at one euro per night, but this time, a higher rate may be considered, aligning with other cities with higher fees. He estimated that Évora would see nearly 700,000 overnight stays from tourists in 2023.
As reported by Schengen.News in March 2024, various municipalities in Portugal, particularly in the Algarve region, have begun imposing tourist fees for overnight stays. Albufeira, for instance, is set to introduce its tourist tax in May after finalising the necessary approval process. In addition, other cities participating in this initiative where tax will be €2 per night during the high season include:
• Vila Real de Santo Antonio
• Faro
• Olhão
• Portimão
The main aim of these fees is to help the cities registering a high number of tourists to manage tourism-related activities and management.
Source: https://schengen.news/another-city-in-portugal-to-introduce-tax-for-tourists-by-2025/
