What are the requirements for obtaining an Alojamento Local license in Portugal?

If you plan to operate an Alojamento Local, or vacation property in Portugal, Madeira or the Azores, you are legally required to meet a set standard to ensure that your guests remain safe during their stay with you.

Off Limits Madeira have extensive experience managing AL properties across Madeira and works closely with the Alojamento Local inspector of Funchal to ensure all of our managed properties remain compliant and that new premises receive their AL License Number.

We have compiled an extensive list of the requirements as of May 2023 below.

General Requirements

Have a system that allows you to block the entry of outside light. (Black-out Curtains)

First Aid Box

The first-aid bag/box must be marked with an appropriate label (white cross on a green background).

According to the General Health Directorate's instructions, the minimum content of a first-aid bag/box is:

• Compresses of different sizes

• Band-aids

• Adhesive roller

• Non-elastic ligature

• Antiseptic solution (unit dose)

• Ethyl alcohol 70% (unit dose)

• Physiological serum (unit dose)

• Blunt-edge scissors

• Tweezers

• Disposable latex gloves

• Content Inventory

Fire safety

Local accommodation establishments with a capacity equal to or less than 10 users must have the following:

a) Extinguisher and fire blanket accessible to users (minimum 2 extinguishers if there are none in the common area);

b) First aid equipment accessible to users;

c) Indication of the National Emergency Number (112) in a place visible to users;

Local accommodation establishments with a capacity of more than 10 users. must comply with fire safety rules, pursuant to the provisions of Decree-Law No. 220/2008, of November 12, and the technical regulation contained in Ordinance No. 1532/2008, of December 29, both in the current wording.

Complaint book

Local accommodation establishments must have a complaints book.

A complaints book per establishment is mandatory, that is, per apartment or local accommodation, as each establishment will have a different registration number as AL.

The complaints book must be available at the local accommodation to which it relates. The detachable cover (cover sheet) must be posted in a visible place.

You must register on the electronic complaints book platform (Electronic Complaints Book).

You can find out more information about Portugals Complaints Book on the LIVRO DE RECLAMAÇÕES website.

Multi-risk and Civil Liability insurance

The holder of the operation of local accommodation must conclude and maintain a valid non-contractual civil liability insurance that guarantees property and non-pecuniary damage caused to guests and third parties, resulting from the exercise of the activity of providing accommodation services.

The minimum capital of the insurance contract is 75,000 (euro) per claim.

In the case of a local accommodation establishment whose unit is part of a horizontally owned building, the operation holder is also obliged to conclude or prove the existence of valid insurance that guarantees property damage directly caused by a fire in or originating from the accommodation unit.

Lack of valid insurance is grounds for cancellation of registration and constitutes an offence.

Alojamento Local Nameplate

The affixing of an identification plate is mandatory:

• Next to the entrance of the establishment, in terms of accommodation establishments, apartments and rooms:

• Outside the building, next to the main entrance, in the case of "hostels".

Failure to comply with this obligation constitutes an administrative offence.

Information book

Local accommodation establishments are required to have an information book on the operation of the establishment and respective rules for internal use (rules on the collection and selection of urban waste, operation of household appliances, noise, and care to be taken to avoid disturbances that cause inconvenience and affect the tranquillity of the rest of the neighbourhood), which must also contain the telephone contact of the person responsible for operating the establishment.

• The information book must be available in Portuguese and English, and, at least in two more foreign languages.

• If the local accommodation establishment is part of a collective housing building, the information book must also contain the regulation with the practices and rules of the condominium that are relevant for the accommodation and for the use of common parts.

• Failure to comply with this obligation constitutes an administrative offence.

Sanitary Facilities

There must be a bathroom for 4 rooms up to a maximum of 10 users - In apartments, houses, and room regimes.

In accommodation establishments where there is no separation of bathrooms by gender, it is mandatory to separate the toilets by doors that allow privacy.

It is mandatory, in lodging establishments, a toilet, a washbasin and a shower for every six users.

Minimum Areas Rooms

Bedrooms:

6.50 m² for a single room.

9 m² for a double room.

12 m² for a triple room.

For each convertible bed to be installed in the bedrooms, add 3 m² to the minimum areas.

Dormitories:

A minimum number of 4 single beds.

In dormitories there is a minimum area of 2.50 m², plus 2.50 m² per bed or bunk bed and 1 m² per user, with the following formula:

• 2.50 m² + (2.50 m² x number of beds or bunk beds) + (1 m² x number of users)

The dormitories have an individual compartment for each bed, with a locking system, with a minimum interior dimension of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.

In dormitories, each bed has a lighting point.

Common Areas:

Hostel establishments that have a kitchen or dining area must ensure that there is one seat for every 10 users.

Users with Disabled Mobility

A hostel that accommodates more than 50 beds/users must have at least one room and a toilet adapted for users with reduced mobility.

These sanitary facilities can be integrated into a facility for people without mobility limitations.

Off Limits Madeira offer free, at-home consultations to ensure your property has everything it needs to operate legally as Alojamento Local in Portugal.

For a flat fee of €300 + IVA, we will provide and install all of the required safety equipment and signage so that your AL Inspection goes smoothly.

To book a consultation, contact a member of the team today.