Legislation

RNAAT - National Register of Tourist Entertainment Agents
- For whom?

Companies or entrepreneurs who want to carry out tourist activities with monitoringsuch as:

- Guided tours (on foot, by bike, tuk-tuk, etc.)

- Cultural or gastronomic experiences

- Hiking and nature activities

- Workshops with tourism storytelling

Requirements:

- Have an active company or ENI

- CAE 93293 - Tourist entertainment activities

- Civil liability insurance

- Personal accident insurance (clients)

- Appoint a technical manager (you can do it yourself)

 

 

Approximate costs:

- EAT registration fee (companies in national territory): 135,00 €

o In an urban environment (exclusive development): 90,00 €

o Micro-enterprises in Portugal: between €20.00 and €90.00

(Rates updated every 3 years, on March 1st - reference: 2016)

- Registration: Free

- Compulsory insurance~200 to 500 €/year

How to order:

1. Go to: https://rnt.turismodeportugal.pt

2. Choose "Tourist Animation"

3. Submit the required documents

RNAVT - National Register of Travel and Tourism Agencies

For whom?

Companies wishing to selling package tourssuch as:

- Stay + guided tour

- Transport + experience

- National or international excursions

Requirements:

- CAE 79110 - Travel Agency

- Contract with technical manager enabled

- Civil liability insurance

- Compulsory financial guarantee: normally 75.000 €

Estimated costs:

- AVT registration fee750.00 € (automatically updated on March 1st of each year)

- Registration: Free

- Insurance + guarantee (e.g. surety bond): ~1,000-1,500 €/year

(Rates updated every 3 years, on March 1st - reference: 2016)

Cooperatives and public bodies:

- They can submit adjusted guarantees

- May be partially waived upon analysis

Companies with low sales volumes:

- You can request warranty adjustment on the basis of a certified annual declaration.

How to order:

1. Go to: https://rnt.turismodeportugal.pt

2. Choose "Travel Agencies"

3. Submit the application with documentation

RNAVT Special Regimes

Reduced warranty for small operators:

You can ask for a lower guarantee (e.g. 20,000-50,000 €) if:

- Only operate in Portugal

- Don't sell international travel

- Have low turnover

This reduction depends on approval by Turismo de Portugal (it is not automatic).

Activities allowed without RNAAT registration

Without RNAAT, a company can:

- Serving meals, tastings and themed dinners within your space

- Promote or recommend experiences of licensed third parties

• (e.g. via QR code, leaflets, links)

As long as don't charge, bill or follow up customers in the business.

Prohibited activities without RNAAT registration

Without RNAAT, a company cannot legally:

- Taking tourists on walks, trails, guided tours

- Organize and execute cultural experiences with accompaniment

- Marketing tourist services

- Informally accompany customers outside your premises

This configures illegal tourist entertainment and is subject to ASAE fine.

 

According to the Portuguese legislation applicable to tourist entertainment (Dec-Law 108/2009, amended by 186/2015)

The municipal tourist tax for overnight stays came into force on March 1, 2020, and is charged by tourist resorts and local accommodation establishments to their guests.

For the purposes of registering, settling and delivering the Municipal Tourist Tax, the Municipality provides the Tourist tax platform.

The rate is 1.5 euros per person/night in all tourist resorts and local accommodation establishments, up to a maximum of four consecutive nights per person/stay. The tax is levied on guests aged 16 or over and is applied between January and December.

This fee does not apply to guests whose stay is motivated by medical treatment, extending to a companion, as long as they present proof of the appointment/provision of medical services or an equivalent document; guests with a disability equal to or greater than 60%, as long as they present proof of the condition; and guests who are staying due to a declaration of social emergency or Civil Protection.