The Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (Social Democratic Party), has decided to schedule the discussion on the amendments to the Municipal Regulation of Local Accommodation (RMAL) for November 27, rejecting the Socialist Party’s request to debate the topic today.
A source from Carlos Moedas’ office stated that the RMAL amendment is set for discussion on November 27, without providing further details, including the end date for the suspension of new local accommodation (AL) registrations in the city.
The suspension period was originally supposed to end on November 7 but was extended according to a decree from the Mayor dated November 3, due to the limited management regime of local authorities following the electoral process’s “vicissitudes.”
The suspension effects date back to October 12, when local elections took place, and last until the newly elected bodies took office on November 11. After this date, the suspension period resumes, as stated in the decree.
Socialist Party Councillor Alexandra Leitão expressed, in statements to the news agency Lusa, that the suspension period for new AL licenses “has already ended.” She explained that since the decree used the term “suspension” instead of “interruption,” only four days were remaining from November 3 to November 7. Thus, resuming the count from November 11, the period ended on November 15.
“We are in this worrying situation,” stated the Socialist councillor, following the first meeting of the new city executive, where Carlos Moedas announced a proposal to regulate AL on November 27. He considers this date to be “the last day of the suspension period,” noting that after the city’s approval, the proposal must be submitted to the Municipal Assembly.
Carlos Moedas announced this scheduling after rejecting, with the combined support of PSD, CDS-PP, IL, and Chega, a proposal from the Socialist Party to discuss RMAL amendments in today’s meeting.
“We see here, from a political standpoint, a broad right-wing coalition delaying a crucial decision to restrict local accommodation, with severe consequences for the right to housing in Lisbon,” Alexandra Leitão asserted.
She emphasized the “absolute urgency” of approving amendments to the AL regulation, noting that without the suspension, any new registration request “must be accepted.”
“We are facing delay after delay, with absolutely no reason,” said the councillor, recalling that public discussion on the RMAL amendment concluded in April, and the Socialist Party presented a proposal for “more restrictive ratios” in September before the suspension period ended. However, it was never discussed due to the mayor’s refusal.
The issue revolves around the suspension of new AL licenses in the city, approved on May 6 to last six months, during which the municipality presents a ratio between permanent housing and such establishments “equal to or greater than 5%,” whereas the municipality currently shows a ratio of 7.2%.
The BE councillors warned that Carlos Moedas’ leadership risks causing “a rush for licenses” if there is a gap between the end of the suspension and the approval of the new regulation, a scenario that could be avoided if a city council and Assembly meeting occur on the same day, November 27.
“If the suspension of licenses is lifted, the number of AL in Lisbon could double, significantly impacting house prices,” the BE stated in a release.
In the current term (2025-2029), Carlos Moedas remains in office as a minority, with eight representatives from the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition, falling one short of an absolute majority, which would require nine of the 17 members of the city executive. The opposition includes six members from PS/Livre/BE/PAN, two from Chega, and one from CDU (PCP/PEV coalition).
