The new regulations, which remain open for public consultation until 15 April, provide for a total ban on new units in the entire historic area, much of the riverside area and the city centre.

The decision is based on the percentage of existing AL in relation to the number of family homes, with more restrictive rules being applied in areas with high saturation, according to Público.

The areas of greatest restriction include eight central parishes – Santa Maria Maior, Misericórdia, Santo António, São Vicente, Arroios, Estrela, Avenidas Novas and Alcântara –, classified as being in “absolute containment” for exceeding the limit of 5% of local accommodation in relation to conventional housing.

In addition, there are 19 neighborhoods in eight other parishes that will also be subject to a total ban on new ALs. Parishes in “relative containment”, where the index varies between 2.5% and 5%, will have a reduced margin for opening new establishments.

The parish of Santa Maria Maior, which includes the heart of the historic center, is the most saturated, with 68.8% of households converted to AL, followed by Misericórdia, with 44.9%.