t Book In Portugal, we base our community on the principles of inclusion and respect, ensuring a warm welcome and adequate support for people with disabilities. Guests who require services and reasonable accommodations should not face any discrimination or rejection when using our services.

Depending on the location, legal requirements may mandate or limit the accommodations a host must provide. Both hosts and guests should be aware of and comply with these legal standards.

Service Animals

Permissions

• Legal Protection: In Portugal, service animals are protected by law, ensuring their right of access to public and private spaces of public use, including tourist accommodations. This is established under Law No. 58/2004, of August 19, which approves the legal regime for accompanying people with disabilities by service or assistance animals.
• Obligation to Accept: Hosts are legally required to accept service animals. Refusing entry to a service animal can be considered discrimination and is punishable by law.
• No Additional Fees: No additional fees can be charged for allowing a service animal to stay on the property. Service animals must be accepted without extra costs for the guest.
• Common Areas: Service animals have the right of access to all public and common areas of the accommodation, just like the guest. This includes dining areas, lounges, pools, and more.

Restrictions

• Documentation: While hosts may request proof that the animal is a service animal, such as identification or a training certificate, they cannot refuse entry based on the absence of documentation if the presence of the service animal is clearly justified.
• Animal Behavior: Service animals must behave appropriately in a public environment. If a service animal behaves inappropriately (such as being aggressive or disruptive), hosts have the right to ask for the animal to be removed, provided it does not prevent the guest from staying without the animal.
• Guest Responsibility: Guests are responsible for any damage caused by the service animal. Although no additional fees can be charged for accommodating the animal, the guest may be held responsible for property damage.

Tips for Hosts

• Training and Awareness: Gather information about the laws and rights of guests with service animals. Understanding the legal obligations and the needs of guests with service animals can help provide a welcoming and inclusive experience.
• Property Preparation: Ensure that your property is prepared to accommodate service animals, with designated areas for their needs (such as a space for them to relieve themselves).
• Clear Communication: Include clear information about your service animal acceptance policy in your listings. Establish open communication with guests intending to bring service animals to ensure all needs are met.

Emotional Support Animals

Permissions

• Legal Recognition: In Portugal, emotional support animals are not legally recognized in the same way as service animals, but many accommodations may still choose to accept them. It is important to check specific local legislation as there may be variations.
• Host Policy: Hosts have the freedom to decide whether to allow emotional support animals. We encourage hosts to be clear about their pet acceptance policies, including emotional support animals.
• Documentation: Hosts may request documentation proving that the animal is an emotional support animal, such as a letter from a mental health professional. This can be a common practice to ensure the animal is truly necessary for the guest’s well-being.
• Advance Notice: It is important that guests inform hosts in advance about the need to bring an emotional support animal. This helps ensure all needs are accommodated and there are no surprises at check-in.

Restrictions

• Host Rules: Hosts have the right to set their own policies regarding animals. This means they can choose not to accept emotional support animals due to allergies, cleanliness concerns, safety, or other reasons.
• Size and Type of Animal: Some owners may impose restrictions based on the size or type of animal. Large animals or exotic species may not be allowed in some properties.
• Common Areas: Even if emotional support animals are allowed in rooms, there may be restrictions on their presence in common areas, such as shared kitchens, lounges, or pools.
• Guest Responsibility: Guests are responsible for ensuring their emotional support animals do not cause damage to the property and do not disturb other guests. Guests may be held responsible for any additional cleaning or repair costs resulting from the animal’s presence.
• Local Regulations: Depending on the location of the accommodation, there may be municipal or regional regulations affecting the acceptance of emotional support animals. It is essential to check these specific rules to ensure compliance.

Tips for Hosts

• Accuracy in Policies: Be clear about your emotional support animal acceptance policies in your property listing. Include details about any documentation requirements or specific restrictions.
• Open Communication: Maintain open and friendly communication with guests intending to bring emotional support animals. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures a positive experience for both parties.
• Space Preparation: If you decide to accept emotional support animals, consider preparing the space to accommodate these animals, such as providing pet beds, food and water containers, and information about nearby walking areas.

Reasonable Accommodations

Welcoming people with disabilities or reduced mobility in accommodations requires reasonable accommodations to ensure accessibility and comfort. These accommodations should align with accessibility laws and local regulations in Portugal. Guests should communicate their need for reasonable accommodations in advance, and hosts should strive to meet these requests, provided they are feasible.

Permissions

• Access Ramps: Install ramps to facilitate access to entrances and common areas.
• Elevators: If the accommodation is in a multi-story building, ensure there are accessible elevators.
• Handrails and Support Bars: Install handrails on stairs and support bars in bathrooms and hallways.
• Wide Doors: Doors should be wide enough (at least 80 cm) to allow wheelchair passage.
• Adjustable Furniture: Provide adjustable furniture, such as lower beds and height-adjustable tables.
• Maneuvering Space: Ensure there is enough space in rooms and common areas for a wheelchair to maneuver easily.
• Adapted Toilets: Install adapted toilets with support bars.
• Barrier-Free Showers: Offer accessible, barrier-free showers with seats and support bars.
• Accessible Sinks: Sinks should be at an accessible height and have free space underneath for wheelchairs.
• Visual and Audible Alarms: Install fire alarms with visual and audible signals for people with hearing or visual impairments.
• Communication Devices: Provide assisted communication devices, such as large-key phones and emergency call systems.
• Signage: Use clear and accessible signage, with large text and braille, to indicate exits, bathrooms, and other important areas.
• Informative Material: Provide informative material in accessible formats, such as audio, braille, or enlarged text.

Restrictions

• Limited Infrastructure: In historical buildings, there may be restrictions on modifying the structure. In these cases, look for solutions that respect architectural limitations while still offering accessibility.
• Limited Space: In smaller properties, it may be challenging to make major structural adaptations. Consider practical solutions, such as temporary furniture and equipment.
• Cost and Feasibility: Some accommodations may have a high initial cost. Assess the most urgent improvements and plan for the gradual implementation of accommodations.
• Maintenance: Ensure that accommodations are kept in good working condition, which may require additional costs and maintenance time.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Our community must collaborate to make our platform as accessible as possible. If a host or guest does not comply with our policies, we may take appropriate action, including suspension or removal from the platform.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, ensuring that all guests, regardless of their needs, feel welcome and respected on our platform.