Porto council initiates review of municipal tourist tax amid free transport plan
The Porto City Council voted to start revising the municipal tourist tax regulation, with the aim of raising the fee to help fund free public transport for residents.
On Tuesday, the Câmara do Porto voted to commence an administrative process to alter the municipal tourist tax regulation. Mayor Pedro Duarte previously acknowledged that the tax might be raised to Lisbon's level, suggesting a rise from the existing three euros, but the draft does not disclose a precise figure. The council's proposal highlights a significant increase in overnight stays and guest numbers over recent years, noting that this growth strains public services, streets, and urban spaces.
It argues that the tourist tax should balance the city's attractiveness to visitors with the need to maintain a high quality of life for inhabitants. The revision is presented as a financial instrument and an integrated element of urban policy to fund free public transport for residents through 2027. Public consultation will be opened on the council's website, with a ten-business-day period for interested parties to submit comments.
