Portugal introduces strict new rules that will affect tourists – here is what you need to know

PORTUGAL plans to introduce tough new rental rules that will affect tourists staying in short term vacation rentals.

Earlier this week, the Portuguese government announced a comprehensive package of measures to deal with the country’s real estate crisis.

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One of the proposed proposals includes a ban on new licenses for Airbnbs and other short-term vacation rental properties.

House and rental prices have skyrocketed in Portugal in recent years.

According to Reuters, more than half of Portuguese workers will earn less than €1,000 a month in 2022.

At the same time, rental prices in the country rose by an average of 37 percent.

Housing groups have said these factors, along with an economy dependent on tourism, have made it difficult for locals to rent or buy property.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said the crisis is now affecting all families – not just the most vulnerable.

While it’s not clear when the measures will come into effect, some are expected to be approved in the next month.

The legislature will then vote on further measures.

However, the planned proposals met with fierce opposition from MPs from the left-bloc party Mariana Mortagua, who criticized the government for giving tax breaks to landlords.

The country will also end its Golden Visa program, which offers EU passports to non-EU citizens.

Portugal is not the only country in Europe that has introduced measures that will affect holidaymakers.

Popular Spanish hotspots like Lanzarote in the Canary Islands are looking to ban British tourists in a major tourism upheaval.

Destinations want fewer UK holidaymakers to flock to their shores because they have become “tourist-saturated areas”.

And Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau has already introduced a series of restrictions to prevent more tourists from coming.

These include a ban on new downtown hotels, restrictions on the number of hotel beds and curbing plans to expand the airport.

She now wants to reduce the number of cruise ships calling at Barcelona.

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