With the upcoming national elections, LovelyStay considers that it is essential to understand the different perspectives of the Portuguese political parties on the subject of Alojamento Local (AL). This issue, which is relevant to the country’s housing and tourism dynamics, reveals a wide range of opinions and proposals, highlighting the different approaches and policies that each party intends to implement in relation to the short term rentals.
01 | The Socialist Party
The Socialist Party does not explicitly mention the short term rental in its electoral program, however it does express its intention to maintain the Mais Habitação program, suggesting the continuity of the current measures relating to short term rental.
02 | The Democratic Alliance
On the other hand, the Democratic Alliance criticizes the stance of the current government, accusing it of disrespecting the confidence of investors, especially foreign ones, and proposes the immediate withdrawal of measures considered to be penalizing for AL, including the Extraordinary Contribution on short term rentals.
03 | Livre
Livre advocates stricter legislation for homes used for tourism purposes, promoting a differentiation between professional activity and that of individual smallholders, and proposes measures to combat illegal AL or short term rentals in illegal conditions.
04 | The Liberal Initiative
The Liberal Initiative takes a stance against the penalties for short term rentals, proposing the reversal of the tax increase, reducing the tax coefficient from 0.5% to 0.35%, and the regulations imposed by the Mais Habitação program, defending the elimination of the Extraordinary Contribution on Local Accommodation and the importance of the activity in revitalizing cities and the economy.
05 | The Left Party
The Left Party focuses on the housing crisis, proposing measures to increase the supply of housing, including the mobilization of public buildings and the strict limitation of AL, with the imposition of maximum quotas per parish.
06 | PAN
PAN suggests revising territorial management instruments to include the limitation or suspension of AL and new hotel establishments in areas where the residential market is at risk.
07 | PCP
Lastly, PCP calls for an end to the privileges granted by liberal housing policies, proposing measures that include eliminating privileged tax regimes and limiting the acquisition of housing by real estate funds, as well as restricting short term rentals in areas with a lack of residential homes.
Each party presents a different vision, reflecting a spectrum of approaches ranging from the promotion and reduction of short term rentals to its strict limitation or stricter regulation, depending on each party’s perception of the impact of AL in society and the economy.
