Popular holiday destination Lisbon is considering increasing tourist tax by double.
This follows the introduction of new fees that will apply in part of the Algarve in Portugal.
Tourist taxes must be paid in many holiday destinations and the fee goes towards the maintenance and services of the area.
Holidaymakers in Lisbon already pay to visit but local authorities are considering increasing the fee.
Lisbon could introduce a tourist tax
GETTY
Mayor Carlos Moedas has suggested raising the tax from €2 (£1.40) per person per night to €4 per person (£3.40).
This would add an additional £12 per person to the cost of a holiday, or nearly £50 more than they are currently paying for a family of four. The total amount of tourist tax would be around £100 for four people.
The Mayor suggested the charge is “fair” and would reduce taxes for Lisbon residents.
He said: “Increasing the tourist tax is fair for Lisbon residents, it is fair for the city, so it’s a decision I’ve taken, but obviously I want to do it with a great deal of consensus with those who are the most important people in the sector, from hotels to restaurants.
“I’ll always do everything I can to reduce taxes for Lisbon residents, I’ve done it with the reduction in IRS (personal income tax), which we’re already at 4.5 per cent and, by the end of the mandate, we’ll reach five per cent – but at the same time tourists have to contribute more to our city.”
The fee could also increase for those who arrive by sea, such as cruise ship passengers. Fees for these passengers were introduced in January this year.
The Port of Lisbon Authority introduced a tourist tax of €2 per cruise guest and cruise lines must pay via the Janela Unica Logistica platform.
It is up to cruise lines whether they cover this charge in their packages or if they want to pass it on to passengers and holidaymakers were warned to prepare for the additional fee.
Holidaymakers must be tourist tax in other parts of Portugal
GETTY
Over-13s need to pay €2 (£1.70) per person per night if visiting between April and September and €1 (85p) between October and March.
This sparked backlash among holidaymakers with some people saying they would not visit the area at all as a result.
One commented: “Spain first now Portugal. Us Brits have helped build these countries up with tourism. It’s such a shame.
“I was going to go to Portugal but if I’m not wanted, I guess I go where I am wanted. I get they don’t want the kind that can’t take their drink, but don’t put us all under the same banner.”
