Portugal to introduce strict new rules for Airbnb and other holiday rentals

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Portugal will issue no new licences for Airbnb lets and other holiday rentals in a bid to tackle the shortage of housing for locals, it has been reported.Those heading to the popular holiday hotspot should make sure that they have accommodation well ahead of time.

The only areas set to be exempted from these new rules are rural locations "without urban pressure," Diario reports.Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced measures to calm down the country's housing market as rent prices are skyrocketing in cities like Lisbon.As reported by the Mirror, all holiday let licences will be reviewed every five years, and AirBnB owners will be given a tax break if they convert their properties into typical homes.The government is also reportedly ending its controversial Golden Visa scheme which allowed foreigners to obtain citizenship through buying property in Portugal for at least €500,000.

The Visa scheme was popular among the wealthy who wanted EU passports, and led to a 10 percent of all property purchases in Portugal being made by people overseas.This comes after other popular holiday destinations had their official travel guidance updated in recent weeks.France scrapped one of their last-remaining Covid-19 rules which required those who tested positive for the virus to self-isolate.The UK Foreign Office also updated its Covid advice for holidaymakers heading to Spain, after the country lifted the requirement to wear masks on public transport.

Masks will still be obligatory in health centres, chemists, dental clinics and old people's homes, however.They also issued important guidance following the recent devastating earthquakes which struck Turkey and Syria last week. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond -