Lisbon's tourist tax: what it costs and who's exempt
The municipal accommodation tax sits at €4 per person, per night, capped at €28 — here's exactly how it's charged and who doesn't have to pay it.
What the tax actually costs
Lisbon's municipal tourist tax (Taxa Municipal Turística) is €4 per person, per night, capped at seven consecutive nights — meaning the maximum anyone pays in a single stay is €28, no matter how much longer the trip runs. A couple staying a full week pays €56 between them. The rate doubled from €2 in September 2024 and has held steady at €4 since, with no further increase announced for the rest of 2026.
How it's charged
The tax applies to all licensed accommodation across the Município de Lisboa — hotels, hostels, guesthouses and registered short-term rentals (Alojamento Local) alike — and is collected at check-in or check-out by the property itself, added on top of the room rate rather than folded into the price shown when you book. It is not a national tax; each Portuguese municipality that charges one sets its own rate, and Lisbon's is among the higher ones in the country.
Who's exempt
- Children under 13 years old.
- Guests visiting Lisbon for medical treatment, plus one accompanying person.
- Guests with a recognised disability of 60% or more, with valid supporting documentation.
A separate, smaller charge of €2 per person applies to cruise passengers disembarking at the Port of Lisbon for the day.
Why it exists
The Lisbon Municipal Assembly approved the increase to help fund cleaning, public transport, beach maintenance and general infrastructure under pressure from rising visitor numbers — part of a broader pattern across major European destinations (Florence and Amsterdam have both raised comparable levies around the same time) responding to overtourism pressure on housing, transport and public services.
Budget for it separately
Because the tax is charged locally rather than shown in most booking platforms' headline price, it's easy to be caught out at checkout. Factor €4 per person, per night (up to €28) into your accommodation budget — see our full cost breakdown for how this fits into a typical daily budget.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is Lisbon's tourist tax?
- €4 per person, per night, capped at seven consecutive nights — a maximum of €28 per person regardless of how much longer you stay.
- Who is exempt from Lisbon's tourist tax?
- Children under 13, guests visiting for medical treatment (plus one companion), and guests with a recognised disability of 60% or more with documentation.
- Is the tourist tax included in the price when I book?
- Usually not — it's collected separately by the property at check-in or check-out, on top of the rate shown when booking.