The Portuguese capital, which has been charging since 2016 and is currently the one in which the highest nationwide value is paid – four euros – registered a total fit of 260,131,495.65 euros between January of the first year and May 2025.
The charge began to be applied to the sleeping nationals (including Lisboners) and foreigners in hotel or local units, “up to a maximum of seven nights per guest and stay”, the guests under the age of 13. It was initially one euro a night, but in January 2019 increased to two euros and in September 2024 doubled to four.
More than 11 million in the first year
According to data from the Lisbon City Council (CML) sent to Lusa, in the first year the rate yielded about 11.35 million euros, which was always rising by 2019.
In the first three years, when the value was one euro a night, the municipality obtained 46.45 million euros (ME), namely 11.35 ME in 2016, 16.55 ME in 2017 and 18.55 ME in 2018.
In 2019, the year when the rate increased to two euros a night, CML amazed 36.08 ME, but the growth trend was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, declared in March 2020 and that lasted until May 2023 (according to the World Health Organization).
In this context, the worst year for the Lisbon accounts was 2021, where the amount raised was 9.91 ME, less than 12.11 me in 2020.
Although the pandemic continues beyond 2020 and 2021, in 2022 there was a significant recovery, with the tourist rate accounting 33.06 ME, reaching the 40.24 ME by 2024, reaching 49.51 ME.
New record in 20025?
According to CML data, until May 31 this year, had already been collected since January 32.76 ME, and a new record in 2025 was again beaten.
Prior to the increase to twice the fee value in September last year, the best months were recorded in April and July, exceeding 6 ME in both cases.
The increase in the rate to four euros was reflected, according to the municipality, from October, which turned out to be the best month of the year, with 8.16 ME.
What is the recipe in Cascais, Sintra and Peniche?
In the neighboring municipality of Cascaisthe revenue collected with the municipal rate was last year of 3.41 million euros, and in the first five months of 2025 the total amount of 1.41 ME has already been reached, according to a council source. Since 2017, when the municipal rate began to be applied, Cascais has already placed 15.30 ME, a value that has been applied in investments essentially in the area of culture.
Already in Sintraalso in Greater Lisbon, according to data provided by the source of the municipality, in 2024 were collected 1.47 million euros, 44% of the collection related to tourist enterprises and 56% to local housing. The amounts raised vary greatly in the country.
For example, Penichemunicipality that brings many tourists looking for the best surf waves, especially in SuperTubes beach, got a recipe last year, the first of its implementation, of 290 thousand euros.
In relation to Portowhere the municipal tourist rate (TMT) entered into force in 2018 with the value of a euro and in December 2024 went to three, 20.9 me for revenue from last year, ie 8.13% more than 2023, when the revenue was 19.2 ME.
“Until April 30, 2025, TMT’s liquidated revenue totaled 9.3 million euros, which represents a growth of almost 42% compared to the same period of 2024, in which 6.6 million euros were registered.”the municipality said.
At Póvoa de Varzim, one of the most sought after bathing zones in the Northern Region, the values collected in 2024 “surround the 500 thousand euros”, according to a council source.
Tourist rate by maritime should increase compared to 2024
The maritime arrival rate to Lisbon, with the fixed unit value of two euros per passenger (over 13 years old) that landing a cruise ship in transit, at the terminals located in the municipality, effectively charged since April 1 last year, yielded 365,920 euros in the debut year.
In the first five months of 2025 alone, the maritime fee yielded 309,397 euros, so it should exceed the amount charged last year.
