Access to Portuguese beaches is public, but not always cheap. After several complaints about prices considered abusive in awnings, tents and even water bottles, the government is preparing to impose maximum limits on the essential goods sold on the Areas. The decision, which will be announced on Wednesday, July 9, results from recent inspections and wants to make private exploitation compatible with public service.
Excess prices motivates government action
The Environment Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, revealed that there are concessions to charge “unmatched values” for basic services. An extreme case was identified in the coastal strip between Troia and Melides, where a awning cost 300 euros a day. For the ruler, cited by Executive Digest, this reality “is not compatible with the public nature of Portuguese beaches”.
In the coming days will be known a decree that classifies certain products, such as water, coffee, simple sandbar, shadow rental, such as “essential goods”, forcing each concession to make them available at affordable prices. The intention is to “democratize the beach day” without removing private investment.
The measure comes after complaints from swimmers and mayors about the escalation of costs, especially in very touristy areas where the demand is high and the (well) generous margins.
What changes with the new price table
The guardianship studies a “public service menu” that will set maximum ceilings for each essential good. Thus, any concession will have to present, in a visible place, the tabulated water, coffee prices, base sandwell and shade rental. Premium products or additional services may continue to be practiced, but always alongside an economic option, the same source says.
According to the official source Portugal.gov.pt, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) will be responsible for overseeing compliance and may apply fines and even revoke licenses to those who recur. The model is inspired by tables already applied in some European capitals for ice cream and beverages in historical squares, where free market is combined with reference prices.
Awnings to 300 euros detonated the inspection
At the end of June, the APA carried out inspection actions in 45 km from Costa Alentejo. Confirmed practices such as barriers conditioned and “clearly disproportionate” fares. It was this report that led the government to act urgently.
The minister stresses that the concessions pay “symbolic values” to the state for the spaces they exploit, so there must be a counterpart in public service, under penalty of imbalance in the use of a common good.
In addition to the price of awnings, simple cafes were found sold above 3 euros, waters more than 2 euros and basic sandwiches above 6 euros in some Portuguese beaches, values that are now, according to the previously mentioned source, under the new ceiling.
How price control will work
Each dealer will have to post the new table as soon as the diploma enters into force, with a period of adaptation by the end of August. Failure will lead to offenses between 250 euros and 3,000 euros, graduating from gravity and recidivism, announce the official sources mentioned above.
APA will create a direct line for consumer complaints, accompanied by mobile teams that will make surprise inspections in the summer months. Also the coastal municipalities will be able to collaborate, communicating irregularities to the environmental organism.
To ensure economic viability, the incomes paid by the dealers will remain unchanged in 2025, but the government admits to review the calculation model in the next license contest, introducing social responsibility criteria.
Reactions of dealers and bathers
The National Beach Concessionaire Association admits the need for “more transparency”, but fears that limitation remove margin in a year when energy and personal costs have risen. Already several consumer associations applaud the measure, considering it “essential to avoid abuse in areas where there is no alternative outside the beach.” Among the heard bathers, most defend maximum prices for basic goods sold on Portuguese beaches, arguing that “those who come with children need water and shadow without paying absurd values”.
When the new rules come into force
The Leonin Order will be published in Diário da República until the end of this week, that is, until July 11. The rules apply to the entire coastal, including islands, and remain valid until revision of the coastal waterfront plan in 2027, refers to.
Companies already licensed will have 30 days to adjust prices and signaties. New concessions should include, in the charges book, clear public service commitments, under penalty of exclusion.
For a more affordable summer
With this intervention, the government intends to reconcile tourism, environmental protection and social justice. The message is simple: the beaches belong to everyone and cannot be prohibitive price territory. If the inspection results in, the 2025 bathing time may mark the beginning of a new relationship between summer, dealers and the coastal public space.
Thus, in the next trip to the beach, the Portuguese will be able to count on awnings, cafes or waters at more balanced prices, without abdicating the quality of service or freedom of choice.
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