Local accommodation limits have increased, with containment levels rising from 2.5% relative and 5% absolute to 5% and 10%, respectively, stated PCP representative João Ferreira during a press conference at the Town Hall.
The proposal, unveiled today and to be debated on November 27, reflects Carlos Moedas’ administration’s push for stricter ratios between local accommodations (AL) and residential properties in Lisbon. The plan suggests reducing absolute containment areas from 20% to 10% and relative containment from 10% to 5%.
Additionally, the creation of a single absolute containment area across the municipality is proposed, to be implemented when a 10% ratio is reached. This initiative, outlined by the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition, aims to use parishes and districts as basic geographical monitoring and containment units.
The earlier proposal, subject to public consultation in April by the previous PSD/CDS-PP leadership, advocated a reduction to 5% for absolute containment areas and 2.5% for relative ones, along with a single municipal level absolute containment area until a 5% ratio is achieved, as it currently stands at 7.2%.
The PCP criticizes the current proposal under Carlos Moedas’ leadership as being “more permissive” in allowing new AL registrations in the city.
João Ferreira suggested that Carlos Moedas delayed for over five months since the public consultation to present the final proposal to the municipal assembly, possibly to modify the version to be more lenient.
The PCP councilor noted he has yet to review the necessary public participation records to analyze the RMAL amendment proposal thoroughly.
In addition to doubling ratio limits, Ferreira highlighted that there are more exceptions than before, requiring detailed scrutiny.
“The regulation as a whole is more permissive,” asserted João Ferreira, pointing out the allowance for modifications following public consultations, emphasizing the need to understand the public’s input.
The PSD/CDS-PP/IL leadership stated the RMAL amendment aims to “enhance housing protection, ensure balanced urban development, and provide effective management of local accommodation activities in the municipality.”
“This revision results in a notable increase in containment areas, enabling better control over AL expansion in saturated regions,” noted Carlos Moedas’ office.
New AL registrations have been on hold recently in Lisbon, pending the RMAL amendment’s implementation, maintaining a necessary 5% or higher ratio between permanent residences and AL establishments, currently at 7.2%.
During the current term (2025-2029), Carlos Moedas leads a minority government with eight members from the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition — one seat shy of an absolute majority, requiring nine out of the 17 capital executive members. The opposition comprises four PS councilors, one from Livre, one from BE, two from Chega, and one from PCP.
