Beachgoers in Portugal may soon get an official answer to one of the most common summer disputes: whether it is allowed to place personal beach umbrellas in front of rented sun loungers and parasols.

According to Portuguese newspaper Expresso, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) — the government body responsible for managing Portugal’s coastline, beaches, and environmental regulations — is preparing formal guidance to clarify the issue for municipalities, maritime authorities, and beach concession operators.

The clarification comes after years of confusion on Portuguese beaches, where visitors are often directed by signage to specific areas if they are carrying their own umbrella or windbreak. However, Expresso reports that there is currently no law preventing beachgoers from setting up their own umbrella in front of concession areas.

“We are preparing written guidance so there are no doubts for maritime authorities and municipalities,” APA president José Pimenta Machado told Expresso.

Under existing rules, concession areas — including rented sunbeds, parasols, and beach structures — are only permitted to occupy up to one third of the beach area. The APA has reportedly already warned several operators for exceeding authorised limits or placing equipment in unsafe areas near unstable cliffs.

The lack of clear national guidance has created, authorities say, a legal “grey area”. While local councils may authorise certain beach signage, maritime authorities currently have no specific regulations requiring beach users to move to designated zones.