# Regulating Airbnb in Portugal (Journal of European Consumer and Market Law, 2018)

* **Regulating Airbnb in Portugal**
* By Jorge Morais Carvalho and Pedro Policarpo. Published in Journal of European Consumer and Market Law, Volume 7, Issue 6, in 2018.
* PDF (behind a paywall): h[ttps://kluwerlawonline.com/journalarticle/Journal+of+European+Consumer+and+Market+Law/7.6/EuCML2018051](https://kluwerlawonline.com/journalarticle/Journal+of+European+Consumer+and+Market+Law/7.6/EuCML2018051)
* **Summary**:
  * All over Europe, the states are dealing with the ways to regulate new business models and platforms providing short-term rental possibilities, such as Airbnb.
  * In doing so, one needs to reflect on the **issues such as fair competition, consumer protection, safety laws, sustainable development, gentrification, and make sure that the regulations comply with national laws and EU legislation.**
  * In Portugal, tourism has grown exponentially in recent years, especially in Lisbon, Porto and Algarve, which has created a lot of pressure on the local markets - especially the housing market.
  * **Local accommodation (“Alojamento Local– AL”)** is a relatively recent legal concept, first introduced in 2008 (Decree-Law 39/2008), which has seen its relevance grow exponentially over the last few years. It is closely linked to digital platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.
  * **"The AL contract is the onerous contract entered into by the operator of the AL and the client for the provision of temporary accommodation services. It is a short-term rental contract."**
  * The paper further explores the definition and implications of such contracts and regulations of short-term rental hosts.
* **Keywords**: EU, European Union, Airbnb, Portugal, European law, European consumer, short-term rentals, short-term contract, Booking