This is one of the challenges identified by the two entities and which is up for public discussion from this week until October.
The intention is to gather opinions and contributions from companies, institutions and citizens about the local lodging sector in Portugal, and to draw up a plan to make the country more competitive.
Luís Araújo, head of the national tourism board Turismo de Portugal said that with regard to local accommodation, the intention is to “bring those who are on the outside of legalities, inside”, and “fully bring it in line with the context of surrounding neighbourhoods and the authenticity of the destination, boosting its contribution to urban regeneration and vitalising historic centres.”
Another intention is to “improve the legal framework.”
“What we want is to simplify procedures, communication and the perception that to have a business you need to be a businessman”, Araújo stressed.
By March this year, Turismo de Portugal had 24,940 private properties registered as local accommodation.
In December 2014 there were just 2,579 properties properly registered.
Information provided by the Local Accommodation group states that to legalise such a business, like renting rooms to tourists, proprietors must first register their business at the Finanças and issue receipts using a certified programme.
Alternatively a receipt book can be purchased or online receipts can be issued via the Finanças’ online portal.
Other rules to be abided by include fulfilling compulsory safety requisites, and informing immigration and borders authority SEF of all non-Portuguese guests who arrive and leave.
The overall simplification of the rules will only be made known at the end of the year after the prolonged debate period has come to a close.