Madeira – Portugal | New Tourist Tax for Hiking Trails

 

Madeira, autonomous region of Portugal, a volcanic archipelago comprising four islands located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa and 800 kilometres from the extreme southwest of the European continent well known for its namesake wine, a subtropical climate, splendid pebbly beaches with high cliffs and an interior green and rugged  through the Regional Government has started charging non-residents a tax of €3.0 on seven classified hiking trails.

This tax – raising measure will not stop there but will cover all recommended trails from january 2025.

From 1st January 2025 only residents will be exempt from paying the fee, which will be charged on the more than 30 classified routes under the management of ICFN, the Institute for Forests and Nature Conservation in Madeira.

The Regional Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Rafaela Fernades commented to the local media that a two-stage process has developed.

There are currently seven routes that are being trained and as of 1st January 2025 the others will be classified under the management of the State Government through the Institute for Forest and Nature Conservation.

As an important point, it should be noted that this fee will not be paid by residents or economicoperators who have a protocol until the end of year signed by the Forestry Institute.

For now, the trails and routes of Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, La Levada do Risco, La Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Balcões, La Levada do Rei and Ponta de São Lourenço are on the list.

Secretary Rafaela Fernandes then explained that the resources will be allocated to the cleaning and maintenance of the routes and considered that the measure is well received by tourists, indicating that fines of up €50.0 will be applied to those who do not pay.

Payment can be made through the "Simplifica" platform managed by the State Government, or as a second option directly where there are ICNF stations with the possibility of changing routes.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/103315_madeira_establece_una_nueva_tasa_turistica_para_rutas_de_senderismo