A recent row surrounding how much of Portugal’s beaches can be deemed private and deprive beach users from using their own umbrellas forcing them to pay to use space provided by private licensed concession holders has resulted in a victory for public users.
Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has clarified that public waters cannot be occupied by concession holders entirely and such concession holders cannot exceed 30% of usable areas of beaches nor 50% of the beach frontage.
This clarification has resulted in public beach users being able to use their umbrellas as they wish outside of those limited zones.
So if you are a visitor to Portugal’s beaches you are now able to use either paid-for concession areas of the beach or you can put your own umbrella where you wish outside of those concessionary zones.
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