SIBA WebService Troubleshooting Guide for Alojamento Local Hosts

If you manage an Alojamento Local (AL) in Portugal and are trying to automate guest reporting to SIBA, connection and activation issues can sometimes happen during setup.

This guide explains the most common SIBA WebService problems, how to validate your credentials, and what to check before enabling automation.

What Is the SIBA WebService?

The SIBA (Sistema de Informação de Boletins de Alojamento) WebService allows accommodation providers to automate the submission of foreign guest information to the Portuguese authorities.

Instead of manually entering guest details into the SIBA portal, compatible software can submit the accommodation bulletin automatically.

This helps hosts:

• Save time

• Reduce manual errors

• Avoid missed submissions

• Keep guest reporting organised

Before You Start

You should have:

• Full property address

• Phone number

• Guest capacity (max guests)

• Number of bedrooms

• Property type (Apartment / House / Room)

• Your NIF number

• Municipality where the property is registered

This can all be found by searching on RNAL. All Alojamento Locals in Portugal are listed there.

Remember:
All foreign guests — including EU citizens — must be communicated to SIBA within the legal deadline.

How to submit via SIBA WebService

To use the SIBA WebService method, you first need to request activation from the SIBA/AIMA team. This can be done during registration or via email at siba@ssi.gov.pt. Once enabled, your software or property management platform can communicate directly with SIBA automatically, without requiring manual submissions through the portal.

After activation, your accommodation software can securely send guest registration data directly to SIBA using the provided credentials. This allows faster submissions, reduces manual work, and helps avoid missed reporting deadlines.

What if I registered with SIBA Portal submission?

If you currently submit guest data manually through the SIBA Portal, you do not need to create a completely new account to move to WebService submission.

According to SIBA support, existing portal credentials can also be used for WebService communication once the method is activated for your account.

This means:

• Your current SIBA username and activation details remain valid

• Your accommodation establishment stays the same

• Only the communication method changes from Portal to WebService

To switch, you generally need to contact SIBA support at siba@ssi.gov.pt and request that your account be enabled for WebService submissions. Once approved, your software provider can begin sending submissions automatically on your behalf.

Example Email:

Exmos. Senhores,

Venho por este meio solicitar a alteração do método de comunicação para Web Service da seguinte conta SIBA:

• Username / NIF:

• Estabelecimento:

• Nº AL:

Agradeço, por favor, que a conta passe a estar configurada para utilização via Web Service.

Fico ao dispor para qualquer informação adicional necessária.

Com os melhores cumprimentos,

Common SIBA WebService Problems

1. Invalid Activation Key

Symptoms

• “Invalid key”

• Authentication failed

• Unable to activate automation

Possible Causes

• Incorrect copy/paste

• Extra spaces

• Wrong establishment number

• Old or deactivated key

How to Fix It

• Copy the key directly from SIBA

• Remove spaces before or after the key

• Confirm the establishment number is correct

• Try logging into SIBA manually first

If manual login also fails, the issue is usually on the SIBA side rather than your software.

2. SIBA Portal Login Works but Automation Fails

Possible Causes

• WebService not enabled

• Incorrect credentials linked

• Temporary SIBA server issue

Recommended Checks

• Confirm the property NIF matches the SIBA account

• Verify the establishment identifier

• Wait a few minutes and retry

• Test with a new guest submission

Sometimes the SIBA servers experience temporary slowdowns or maintenance periods.

3. Guests Are Not Appearing in SIBA

Possible Causes

• Guest form incomplete

• Missing nationality/passport data

• Submission date mismatch

• Internet timeout during submission

What to Check

• Ensure all mandatory guest fields are completed

• Confirm arrival and departure dates

• Check that the nationality is not empty

• Verify the guest submission appears in your software dashboard

Many failed submissions are caused by incomplete guest check-in forms.

4. Wrong Property Connected

This can happen if:

• Multiple properties exist under the same account

• The wrong public check-in link was shared

• A copied setup from another unit was reused

Solution

Each property should use its own unique guest check-in link and SIBA configuration.

Always verify:

• Property name

• AL registration

• Establishment number

• Public guest link

before testing automation.

Quick SIBA Validation Checklist

Before enabling automatic submissions, check the following:

SIBA Setup Checklist

Account & Access

• I can log into the SIBA portal manually

• My activation key is correct

• My establishment number matches SIBA

• My property NIF is correct

Guest Data

• Guest nationality is filled in

• Arrival and departure dates are correct

• Passport or ID details are completed

• Guest count matches the reservation

Automation

• I tested one guest submission first

• I received a confirmation email from SIBA

• The submission appears inside the SIBA portal

• The correct property is connected

Best Practice for AL Hosts

The easiest way to reduce SIBA errors is to collect guest information before arrival using a dedicated digital check-in form.

This helps:

• Reduce manual entry

• Improve guest compliance

• Organise records

• Automate submissions

• Reduce late reporting risk

Many hosts now include the guest check-in link directly in Airbnb Scheduled Messages or Booking.com messaging automation.

Final Tip

If your SIBA connection suddenly stops working after previously working correctly, first test:

1. Manual SIBA login

2. One new guest submission

3. Confirmation email delivery

In many cases, the issue is temporary and resolves without needing a full reconfiguration.

Automate Your SIBA Submissions with EazyAL

EazyAL helps Portuguese AL hosts:

• Collect guest details digitally

• Organise check-ins

• Automate SIBA submissions

• Track tourist tax obligations

• Simplify compliance workflows

Start with a free guest check-in link and upgrade to automatic SIBA submissions when ready.