In a statement, the municipality says that the change in rules aims to “meet the decision taken at the headquarters” of the Association of Municipalities of the Algarve (AMAL), which establishes the collection of the fee throughout the year, with a different value in the high and low season.

Now, instead of the fee being charged only between March 1st and October 31st - a period in which the fee increases from €1.50 to €2 per person per night -, the municipality also starts to apply the fee between November 1st and the last day of February of the following year, worth one euro.

In relation to exemptions, the minimum age for charging the fee increases from 13 to 16 years old, with national and foreign students who enter the University of Algarve and use hotel units, local accommodation or camping sites now also being exempt from payment and caravanning, during the school year, as long as they can prove it.

The new regulation also exempts guests whose stay is motivated by medical procedures from paying the fee, extending to companions, as long as proof of scheduling or provision of medical services is presented.

In addition to these, guests whose stay is motivated by relocation in cases of declared catastrophes and bad weather and education, health and security forces professionals performing functions in the municipality on a permanent basis and who use accommodation during the period of stay are also exempt.

Finally, residents of the municipality of Faro who use tourist resorts, local accommodation establishments, campsites and caravan parks are also exempt from paying the municipal tourist tax, as long as they present a document proving this condition.

According to the city hall, the registration and payment mechanisms remain unchanged, given the current procedures.

The municipality of Faro began charging a tourist tax in the amount of 1.50 euros per night on March 1, 2020, a measure that, according to the previous regulation, was only in force between that date and October 31 of the same year.