The tourism service providers listed in Article 2.2.4.1.1.12 of Decree 229/2017 must register in the RNT. 

When they are not recognized as merchants, tourism service providers do not have to be registered in the Mercantile Register.

Tour guides are not required to have a registered business establishment as a precondition for registration in the RNT. Tourist Residences are not required to have a registered business establishment either; however, they are not prohibited from having one.

Yes, excluding the exceptions of section 2.2.4.1.2.2.  Decree 2063/2018.  All tourism service providers are required to be registered as merchants and must have a registered business establishment that lists the tourism-related economic activity that they intend to provide. This activity must match the category and subcategory under which the provider is requesting the registration. 

The categories and subcategories of the tourism service provider are directly related to the economic activities that must be registered with the RNT.

The categories generically describe the tourism activities, i.e. travel agency, lodging and accommodation establishment, among others.

The subcategories refer to specific tourism activities belonging to the generic activity, i.e. travel and tourism agency, wholesale travel agency, hotel, aparthotel, etc.

Yes, in order for the tourism service provider (individual or company) to be able to carry out the online registration process, it must, after reviewing compliance with the general and special requirements of the category under which it intends to register, the create a user and password using the "register" option at this link .

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The Chamber of Commerce with the jurisdiction to issue the Registration is determined by checking the municipality where the business establishment is located. If the TSP provides services in a decentralized manner in multiple jurisdictions, it must have an agency registered at the corresponding chamber of commerce for each of them.  Paragraph 2, Article 2.2.4.1.2.2. Decree 2063/2018.

In general, the benefits include: operating under the Law, the possibility of participating in tenders with Government agencies, the possibility to access loans and advertising with third parties. In addition, they will avoid all types of fines and sanctions for not performing the activity under the law.

The registration and/or annual update of the registration is a legal duty. Registration with the RNT is one of the requirements to be eligible to provide tourism services pursuant to the provisions of Article 2.2.4.1.2.1. Decree 2063/2018.

In accordance with Paragraph 3 et seq. of Article 33, Law 1558/2012, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MINCIT, for the Spanish original) will establish the conditions and requirements necessary for the registration and update of the National Tourism Registry and other conditions for the Chambers of Commerce to exercise the function.

The MINCIT will ask district and municipal governments to immediately shut down tourism establishments temporarily until the providers have provided proof of registration in the RNT or have complied by updating their registration. In order to lift the aforementioned measure, the district and municipal authorities must check with the respective Chamber of Commerce or the MINCIT, that the tourism service provider has fulfilled its obligation to update the National Tourism Registry or the respective registration.

The tourism service providers that have not updated the registration within the legal term defined in Article 2.2.4.1.3.1 of Decree 229/2017 must be reactivated in the RNT, i.e. those that have not carried out the update process between January 1 and March 31 of the year to be updated.

In order to reactivate the registration in the RNT, the provider must make the request and provide proof of payment in favor of the National Tourism Fund of one (1) minimum monthly salary at the time of payment.

In general, the TSPs' obligations are as follows:

a) Register with the RNT.
b) Update the data of their registration with the RNT between January 1 and March 31 every year.
c) Adapt their advertising to the services offered, especially in terms of prices, quality and service coverage.
d) Provide the information required by the tourism authorities.
e) Follow the rules on environmental conservation when carrying out tourism projects, as well as when providing their services.

As regards the requests for registration, the Chambers of Commerce must verify compliance with the requirements established in Article 2.2.4.1.2.2 of Decree 2063/2018. They must also confirm compliance with the special requirements for the categories in which the registration is requested, considering the provisions laid down in Decree 229/2017 for each category.  

In accordance with Article 2.2.4.1.1.6 of Decree 2063/2018, the grounds for rejection of a registration are:

1. Failing to meet the general requirements
2. Omissions in completing the form
3. When the corporate purpose and/or economic activity stated in the Mercantile Register does not match the activities and/or functions listed in the category or subcategory.

Reactivation for not carrying out the annual update of the registration within the legal term to do so. In this case, the provider must make the request and provide proof of payment in favor of the National Tourism Fund in the amount of one (1) minimum monthly salary at the time of payment, in accordance with Article 2.2.4.1.3.1 of Decree 229/2017.

The grounds laid down in Article 2.2.4.1.3.7 of Decree 229/2017

1. The decision of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce
2. The request of the registered provider
3. Due to inactivity, when the tourism service provider does not update its RNT during two (2) consecutive periods, the corresponding Chamber of Commerce will automatically cancel the registration thereof.
4. When the conditions laid down in this Decree are met.
5. By operation of Law.
6. In the case of establishments that provide lodging service by the hour are registered in the RNT, the MINCIT will ask the corresponding Chamber of Commerce to cancel their registration immediately.

Paragraph 1. If the Mercantile Register is canceled, the Chamber of Commerce will automatically proceed to cancel the respective RNT.

Suspension from the RNT can take place for the following reasons:

a) At the request of the tourism service provider, in which case it must report the suspension and the date on which it will resume activities.
b) On the part of the MINCIT when violations of Article 71 of Law 300/1996 are incurred.
c) Due to the failure to update the Registration every year within the term established by law.

Once its request for registration or the annual update has been approved, it may obtain the certificate through the RNT portal by entering its user and password. 

In accordance with Article 2.2.4.1.1.10. Decree 2063/2018. The certificate must contain the following information:

1. RNT registration number, which will be the exclusive number assigned to the respective provider in consecutive order.
2. Name, address and municipality of the business establishment.
3. Name of the provider and identification number.
4. Category and/or subcategory, when applicable, of the tourism service provider.
5. Date of issue and validity of the registration.
6. Logo identifying the Chamber of Commerce and signature of the registered agent or the authorized person who issued the certificate.

Paragraph. For tourism service providers that are not required to apply for the mercantile register, the certificate will not contain the information indicated in item 2.

No, they cannot. To be registered in the RNT, the TSP (individual or company) must enter the registration of its business establishment to be able to request registration in the case that the provider's category requires the incorporation of a business establishment to be able to operate. Exceptions. Tour guides. 

The TSP must request at any of the CCB offices the change of the information listed for the registered business establishment using the change of address form; once this procedure is final, the information in the system will be updated automatically with the information contained in the Business and Social Registry (RUES, for the Spanish original).