How to open a short-term rental in Madeira Island, Portugal (AL)

To open a short-term rental in Madeira Island, Portugal, you must follow these steps:

1. Open or change the activity in the tax office. If you are an individual, you must submit the declaration of start of activity through the Tax Office website, at any Tax Office or Citizen's Shop. If you already have an open activity, you must submit the declaration of changes.

2. Gather the necessary documentation. The documentation required for the registration of a short-term rental in Madeira Island is as follows:

• Declaration of start of activity in the tax office;

• License of use or simplified license of use, issued by the Municipal Chamber;

• Identification document of the exploitation holder;

• Proof of payment of the registration fee.

1. Register the short-term rental. The registration of the short-term rental is made through a prior communication with a deadline addressed to the president of the Municipal Chamber of the area of the rental.

The deadline for the Municipal Chamber to rule on the registration request is 10 days (20 days if it is a hostel). If there is no opposition, the short-term rental is registered and can begin to receive guests.

In addition to registration, the short-term rental must meet the following conditions:

• Have a minimum of 10 square meters per room;

• Have a kitchen or kitchenette;

• Have a private bathroom;

• Have natural ventilation;

• Have adequate safety equipment.

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Short-term rentals must also comply with hygiene and food safety regulations, as well as environmental protection rules.

Here are some additional steps you can take to increase your chances of success:

• Research the market and choose a suitable location.

• Invest in the decoration and comfort of your rental.

• Offer quality services to your guests.

• Promote your rental online and offline.

With good planning and execution, you can be successful in your short-term rental business in Madeira Island.