Lisbon City Council Proposes Ban on Tuk Tuks in 337 Streets Starting April 1
Lisbon City Council plans to implement a ban on tuk tuks operating on 337 streets across seven parishes of the city, with the new order set to take effect on April 1. The order, signed by Anacoreta Correia (CDS-PP), Vice-President of the City Council and head of the Mobility department, primarily targets streets in Lisbon’s historic center.
The ban will affect several roads in the parishes of Avenidas Novas, Arroios, Penha de França, São Vicente, Santo António, Misericórdia, and Santa Maria Maior, with the parishes of Santo António, Misericórdia, and Santa Maria Maior having the most streets restricted by vertical signage.
In a statement to Público, Anacoreta Correia explained that the goal is to “protect the city’s residents from excesses” and to better organize public space and mobility. “We need to reconcile the preservation of Lisbon with the needs of residents, tourism, and visitors,” she said.
The new restrictions are separate from the forthcoming regulation on tourist entertainment vehicles, which was announced in July 2024. This regulation is still being developed, with the main guidelines expected to be shared soon, followed by public discussion and approval by the City Council.
The upcoming regulation aims to limit tuk tuk parking spaces and the number of licenses issued for these vehicles in an effort to better control their presence in the city.
In November 2024, the City Council approved the drafting of a new regulation covering non-heavy tourist entertainment vehicles, including tuk tuks.
