City Tax in Lisbon: What You Need to Know in 2026

When planning your trip to Lisbon, Porto, or various municipalities in the Algarve, don't forget to factor the city tax (Taxa Municipal Turística) into your budget. Often referred to as the ‘tourist tax,’ this fee may not be included in your accommodation’s listed price, and you’ll likely be asked to pay it directly to the establishment at the end of your stay. 

Informing yourself about city tax in Lisbon is essential to avoid any last-minute surprises.

How much is the city tax in Lisbon?

On September 1st 2024, Lisbon’s city tax increased from €2 to €4 per guest, per night for all accommodation types. This fee is applicable for up to 7 consecutive nights. Children under 13 years old are exempt from this tax, and it’s only payable once per continuous stay, regardless of whether you change accommodations within the city.

City Tax in Lisbon – Rates for 2026

Let’s use a couple of examples to illustrate how Lisbon’s city tax works. A solo traveller staying in a hotel for five nights would pay a tourist tax of €10 (based on the straightforward calculation of €2 x 5 nights). 

A family of four (with children aged 15 and 10) staying in an apartment for eight nights would, meanwhile, pay €42. Since the tax is only applicable for the first seven nights and children under 13 are exempt, the total city tax for the family would be €42 (€2 x 3 adults x 7 nights).

Why does Lisbon have a city tax?

Lisbon’s city tax is allocated to enhancing the city’s appeal as a tourist destination and offsetting some of the effects of overtourism by reinvesting in local services. According to Essential Business, tourism grew by 7% in terms of the number of visitors to 1.8 million in February 2024 and overnight stays increased by 6.4% to 4.3 million.

The Partido Comunista Portuguê has argued that the amount collected by the municipality from the tourist tax since its introduction in 2016 has failed to mitigate the most negative impacts of tourism in the city. Portugal’s Partido Socialista has issued a similar statement, calling for “the externalities of tourism [to] be combated and the quality of life of Lisbon residents restored”. Revenue from Lisbon’s city tax will be put towards reinforcing urban hygiene and public transport as well as inspecting local accommodation and nightlife establishments.

Do children pay city tax in Lisbon?

No. Children under 13 are exempt from paying city tax in Lisbon. Other exemptions include:

Residents of Lisbon; Guests accompanying patients for medical treatment; Those attending medical consultations in the city; People with disabilities; Hotel employees staying for work purposes.

It’s important to receive a receipt when you pay Lisbon’s city tax. Failure to get proof of payment could indicate that your accommodation has not properly registered your stay.

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Planning a trip this summer? Carpe Diem has you covered. We offer a range of tours and experiences for everyone from first-time visitors to seasoned travellers.

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