Legislation

On November 6, Ordinance No. 262/2020 was published, which defines the new operating requirements for Local Accommodation. This Ordinance was already envisaged as a consequence of the amendment to the law that occurred in October 2018.

We highlight some measures:

• You can check-in and deliver information to users in person or electronically. We remind you that you can use the BA Direto application to register the data of foreign guests.

• You must change towels and bed linen at least once a week, whenever the stay is longer than seven nights in a row.

• The minimum conditions of the spaces were fixed, such as the size of the rooms, common areas and bathrooms. For accommodation in historic areas that do not comply with urbanization standards, special measures have been planned.

• You can now place a smaller size AL identification plate (100 mm × 100 mm), as an alternative to the traditional plate.

• Ratios were defined, especially in the case of hostels, 1 toilet facility for 6 users.

• This Ordinance also brought a series of recommendations on sustainability measures. Although these measures are not mandatory, we know that this will be a strategic bet for national tourism and that it will probably shape future rules. This includes measures for the efficient use of energy and water, environmental waste management actions, exclusive adoption of detergents and biodegradable products, and obtaining environmental certification or environmental quality seal awarded by a national or international entity of recognized merit.

We would like to point out that the measures approved by this decree only come into force 90 days after its publication (4 February 2021) and only for new LA establishments.

LA establishments that are already registered with the RNAL until the date of entry into force will have a period of 12 months (from entry into force) to adapt to the new measures and operating conditions.

You can consult the ordinance in full here.

Do you want to know more about other requirements to open a Local Accommodation? Read our article about the subject.