Tourism services and coastal tourism operators – Recognition of nature tourism activities

Tourism activities offered in areas within Portugal’s National System of Classified Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas Classificadas, SNAC) are considered to be nature tourism if they have been recognised as such by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, ICNF).

Applications for recognition of nature tourism activities must be submitted on the platform of the National Register of Tourism Services Agents (Registo Nacional de Agentes de Animação Turística, RNAAT). Applications require adherence to the code of conduct.

Service channels

Procedure and requirements

Procedure

To apply for recognition of nature tourism activity, log in to the National Tourism Register portal and follow these steps:

  1. Under ‘Novos registos/comunicações’ [New registrations/notifications], select the options ‘Agentes de animação turística’ [Tourism services agents] and then ‘Comunicação prévia’ [Prior notification] and ‘Novo registo’ [New registration].
  2. Fill in the details of the tourism services agency to be registered
  3. Click on ‘Iniciar formulário’ [Start form] and complete all the required fields
  4. In the field about the activities that the company is authorised to carry out, please indicate that you intend to carry out activities in areas within the National System of Classified Areas (SNAC) and select the intended activities
  5. Click on ‘Voltar para continuar’ [Go back to continue]
  6. The ‘Reconhecimento turismo de natureza’ [Nature tourism recognition] field will appear.
  7. After filling in all the required fields and attaching all the completed and signed documents, submit the application.

If you have not submitted all the documents, you will not be able to proceed with the application.

Reviewing the application for recognition

The company cannot begin its activities before the application has been approved, or before the 20 working day period has elapsed.

Once the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) has notified that it has approved the application, and once the 20 working day period has passed, the tourism services agent may use the designation ‘Turismo de Natureza’ [Nature Tourism] and the corresponding logo in all their communication materials.

How much

The cost of applying for recognition of nature tourism activity varies according to the size of the operator and type of recognition:

  • Tourism services companies and coastal tourism operators, with or without nature tourism recognition:
    • Micro-enterprise: EUR 91.28
    • Non-micro-enterprise: EUR 136.93
  • Tourism services companies operating exclusively in urban areas, without nature tourism recognition:
    • Micro-enterprise: EUR 20.28
    • Non-micro-enterprise: EUR 91.28

Ways to pay

Payment must be made by bank transfer to:
Turismo de Portugal, I.P.
IBAN PT50 0781 0112 9112 0001 9126 8
SWIFT/BIC IGCPPTPL

In the comments, please indicate your tax identification number (TIN) and name of the agency.

Legislation, refusals, contests, claims

Legislation

Decree-Law No 186/2015 of 3 September– Latest version of the legal framework establishing the conditions for access to and exercise of the activity of tourism services companies and coastal tourism operators.

Decreto – Lei nº 108/2009, de 15 de maio – Estabelece as condições de acesso e de exercício da atividade das empresas de animação turística e dos operadores marítimo-turísticos, na sua redação atual

Decree-Law No 149/2014 of 10 October approving the regulations governing vessels used in coastal tourism activities (RAMT).

Ministerial Implementing Order No 651/2009 of 12 June establishing the Code of Conduct for tourism services companies and coastal tourism operators engaged in activities recognised as nature tourism, and the logo identifying them.

Competent Entity

Turismo de Portugal, I.P.