How to obtain a Tourist Rental License? Practical guide

Nowadays, whoever owns a second home or invests in real estate finds a way to monetize properties they don't occupy. If you are thinking of doing so, you should know that you must register it. It is mandatory.

Definition of local accommodation

Local accommodation establishments are considered to be those that provide remunerated temporary accommodation services to tourists, fulfilling the legal requirements.

Types of local accommodation

Local accommodation establishments are subdivided into four categories: villa; apartment; guesthouse (which includes hostels if they have dormitories with a capacity greater than the number of guests in rooms); and rooms.

Preparation for registration

For registration, you will need to gather the following documentation and information:

• Copy of the Citizen Card/Passport of the operator or access code to the permanent commercial registry certificate of the company;
• Copy of the urban property tax record of the property, if it belongs to the operator;
• Term of responsibility signed by the operator, guaranteeing the suitability of the building/autonomous fraction for the provision of local accommodation services and that applicable legal norms and regulations are complied with;
• Copy of the lease agreement or other document legitimizing the exercise of the activity by the operator;
• Copy of the minutes of the condominium assembly authorizing the operation, if it is a hostel;
• Copy of the declaration of commencement/alteration of activity of the operator;
• Name, NIF (Tax Identification Number), and address of the operator or company;
• Authorization or valid use permit for the property issued by the municipal council;
• Name and address of the establishment;
• Type of local accommodation;
• Capacity (rooms, beds, number of guests);
• Intended opening date to the public;
• Name, address, and emergency contact phone number.

Registration

Make a prior communication with a deadline, uploading all these documents and information to the Balcão Único Eletrónico (Single Electronic Counter) platform, addressed to the mayor of the area where your accommodation is located.

Process

After the communication, you will have to wait ten days (20, if you have a hostel) to receive a response from the municipal council. After this period, if there is no opposition, you will receive a registration number, that is, a valid title that will allow you to open and advertise your accommodation (do not advertise without having the registration, as you are subject to a fine of between 2500 and 4000 euros for individuals and 25,000 and 40,000 for legal entities). Do not forget to mention it whenever you advertise your accommodation on electronic booking platforms. Thirty days after the prior communication with a deadline, the municipal council will inspect your accommodation to ensure that it complies with the norms and regulations.

Monetizing an unoccupied property is always a good idea. After all, it means fewer expenses and more income. The problem is how to get there. To turn an unoccupied property into a holiday home, it's not enough to just place an ad, as was done in the past. Now, there are rules. You have to register it and comply with a series of requirements so that the experience is the best possible for everyone. In this case, the process is already much more streamlined, as you can use the Digital Single Counter. Here is a brief summary of the process.