The Sanctuary of Fatima publicly expressed its opposition to the two-euro tourist tax per night that the Municipality of Ourem intends to implement. The measure is expected to come into force from 2027.
Despite its position against the tax, the Sanctuary clarified that it does not consider closing the bathrooms or parking lots it provides free of charge to thousands of pilgrims and visitors. These facilities will continue to operate normally.
The municipality of Ourem's decision to apply this tax represents an attempt to control the tourist flow in the Fatima area, one of the main religious areas in Portugal that receives millions of visitors annually. The Sanctuary, as the entity responsible for the religious complex, expressed its disagreement with the measure without, however, taking direct retaliatory actions.
