What you pay on top of the listed price
| Item | Amount or rule | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal tourist tax | 3 EUR per night per person, 7 nights max (Portuguese press, October 2026) | Not avoidable: just check whether it is included in your booking total |
| Deposit on arrival | Card pre-authorisation, amount set by the accommodation | Ask the amount before booking and use a card with enough limit |
| Currency conversion at the terminal | The merchant's rate, often worse than your bank's | Always choose to pay in euros |
The tourist tax: who pays and how much
Porto went from 2 EUR to 3 EUR per night on 1 December 2024, according to Portuguese press (Rádio Renascença, Idealista). It applies to guests over 13 and stops after the seventh consecutive night. The hotel, hostel or rental host collects it, sometimes at booking, sometimes on site. At the end of September 2026 a property news site (SUPERCASA) reported that the city council is looking at a rise to 4 EUR; we found no confirmed decision, so 3 EUR remains the figure to plan for. Exact rules and exemptions are published by the Câmara Municipal do Porto.
Deposits, cards and extras
Many rentals hold a deposit on your card at arrival and release it after check-out; some also ask for cash. Each host sets the amount, so read the booking conditions. At the card machine, if you are offered payment in your home currency instead of euros, decline. ATM fees depend on your bank and the machine: see our page on money, cards and tipping in Porto.
At the restaurant: the cover charge
In many Portuguese restaurants, the bread, butter, olives or cheese placed on the table without you asking are charged; this "couvert" is legal as long as its price is on the menu. You can simply decline it, or pay only for what you touched. Check the menu before ordering: the couvert price is listed there.
Book knowing the total
Always compare the final price, tourist tax and deposit included, not only the nightly rate. To choose by budget, see our cheap hotels in Porto and where to stay in Porto. Before leaving, our page on formalities and rules in Porto completes these tips.
La rédaction Porto Authority
