The essentials
A short-term rental kit in Portugal covers three distinct areas. The safety kit is legally mandatory and must include a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, first aid kit and visible emergency number (112), with different specifications for T1, T2/T3 and T4+ properties. The information book is also required by law under Article 12-A of Decree-Law 128/2014 and must be available in Portuguese, English and at least two other languages. The activity also requires a complaints book, registration of foreign guests via SIBA/AIMA and third-party liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €75,000 per claim, communicated through gov.pt. Welcome amenities and arrival gestures are optional but directly influence guest reviews.
The term “short-term rental kit” covers very different things. It may refer to the safety equipment the law requires before opening, the welcome kit prepared for guests on arrival, or the administrative documents that accompany each stay. This guide addresses all three separately so you know exactly what is mandatory, what is optional and what varies by property type.
Safety kit for short-term rentals: what the law requires
Article 13 of Decree-Law 128/2014, in the version in force since 1 November 2024 (following republication by DL 76/2024), divides fire safety obligations into two groups based on maximum accommodation capacity.
For short-term rentals with a capacity of up to 10 guests, the law requires:
- Fire extinguisher, in an accessible location
- Fire blanket, accessible to users
- First aid kit, accessible to users
- National emergency number (112), displayed in a visible location
For properties with a capacity exceeding 10 guests, the full fire safety standards (SCIE) set out in Decree-Law 220/2008 apply. These standards are significantly more demanding and may include automatic fire detection systems and marked emergency exits. The vast majority of short-term rentals fall below this threshold: a T1 with 4 guests or a T2 with 6 guests falls into the first group.
Always confirm the maximum capacity listed in your RNAL registration before choosing a kit. That number defines which set of requirements applies, not the property type alone.
Safety kit by property type: T1, T2/T3 and T4+
Specialist suppliers organise safety kits by property type because the recommended extinguisher capacity varies with total floor area and number of rooms:
- T0/T1 kit (up to 4 guests): 2 kg ABC dry powder fire extinguisher, 100×100 cm fire blanket, small first aid kit, extinguisher sign and emergency number signage
- T2/T3 kit (up to 6 guests): 6 kg ABC dry powder fire extinguisher, fire blanket, larger first aid kit, full signage
- T4 and above: higher-capacity extinguisher (sometimes two extinguishers on different floors), plus all other mandatory elements
The main difference between a T1 kit and a T2 or T3 kit is the extinguisher capacity. The law does not specify a capacity in kilograms — it only requires the extinguisher to be present. Certified kits follow the recommendations of the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC), which defines appropriate capacity by floor area.
Where to buy a certified safety kit
Several specialist suppliers in Portugal sell ready-made, certified short-term rental kits organised by property type:
When purchasing, check that the extinguisher includes a wall bracket and that emergency signage is included in the pack. Keep the purchase documentation — it may be requested during a municipal inspection.
Welcome kit for short-term rentals
The welcome kit includes everything guests find when they arrive. It contains one legally mandatory element — the information book — and several optional elements that improve the stay experience and influence final reviews.
Information book: required by law
Article 12-A of Decree-Law 128/2014 makes the information book mandatory in all short-term rental properties. It must be available in Portuguese, English and at least two other languages, and must include:
- House rules (quiet hours, smoking policy, check-in and check-out times)
- Instructions for using appliances (heating, kitchen equipment, wi-fi)
- Host emergency contacts
- Information about the local area and nearby transport
For full details on mandatory content, available formats and how to create yours, see our complete guide to the information book for short-term rentals in Portugal.
Amenities and welcome gestures: optional
The information book is the legal minimum. Many hosts complement guest arrival with basic amenities and a small welcome touch:
- Basic toiletries: shampoo, shower gel, soap, spare toilet paper
- Kitchen basics: coffee, tea, sugar, olive oil
- Local touch: a regional product or local sweet
- Printed information: welcome note, wi-fi code prominently displayed, host emergency contact
These elements are not required by law, but they have a direct impact on reviews. Properties with consistently high ratings tend to include at least basic toiletries and a personalised welcome note.
Mandatory documentation: what must be in place
Beyond physical equipment, short-term rental activity involves mandatory documentation that applies to every stay.
Complaints book
The complaints book is mandatory for all short-term rental establishments, under Article 20 of DL 128/2014 and Decree-Law 156/2005. It can be purchased at stationers, supermarkets or in electronic format through the portal livroreclamacoes.pt.
Guest registration for foreign nationals (SIBA/AIMA)
All foreign guests must be registered on the SIBA platform of AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) within 3 working days of arrival, as required by Law 23/2007 of 4 July. Registration is done online and requires the guest’s identification details: passport or ID document, nationality, and expected check-in and check-out dates.
Third-party liability insurance
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all short-term rental properties, with minimum coverage of €75,000 per claim. The policy must be registered on the gov.pt portal and updated each time it renews. For full requirements and the communication process, see our guide on short-term rental insurance in Portugal.
Identification plate
The “alojamento local” identification plate is mandatory for apartment, lodging house and room-rental properties, fixed at the establishment entrance. Technical specifications (material, dimensions, colour) are set out in Article 18 of DL 128/2014. For full detail, see the guide on signage and identification plate requirements.
- Safety kit: legally mandatory; equipment specifications vary by accommodation capacity (T1, T2/T3 or T4+)
- Welcome kit: includes the information book, which is legally required; other elements (amenities, local products) are optional
- Documentation: complaints book, foreign guest registration via SIBA/AIMA and third-party liability insurance are all mandatory and apply to every stay
Management tools: what completes the kit
Having the physical equipment and documentation in order is the starting point. Once the property starts receiving bookings, the volume of guest communications, calendar updates and tax obligations grows quickly.
Property owners managing more than one unit, or those who prefer not to spend time on repetitive operational tasks, tend to use property management software (PMS) or delegate operations to a specialist company. If you prefer to focus on the asset rather than the day-to-day operation, explore the short-term rental management service by Host Wise.
Frequently Asked Questions
For properties with a capacity of up to 10 guests, the law requires a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, first aid kit and the national emergency number (112) displayed in a visible location. For properties with more than 10 guests, the full SCIE fire safety standards under Decree-Law 220/2008 apply. Requirements are set out in Article 13 of Decree-Law 128/2014.
The legal requirements are the same for T1 and T2 properties. The difference lies in the recommended extinguisher capacity: 2 kg for T0/T1 (up to 4 guests) and 6 kg for T2/T3 (up to 6 guests). Certified kits sold by property type already reflect ANPC recommendations.
Yes. Article 12-A of Decree-Law 128/2014 makes the information book mandatory in all short-term rental properties. It must be available in Portuguese, English and at least two other languages, and must include house rules, appliance instructions and emergency contacts.
The only legally required element is the information book. Everything else — toiletries, local products, a personalised welcome note — is optional but has a direct impact on guest reviews. Properties with consistently high ratings tend to include at least basic toiletries and a welcome note.
Several specialist suppliers in Portugal sell ready-made certified kits by property type: Extintor.pt, Extintores Portugal, Extintores Online, ALLPRA and kit-alojamento-local.pt. Kits are available for T0/T1, T2/T3 and T4+ properties and include extinguisher, fire blanket, first aid kit and signage.