Government Defends Rent-a-Car Fee

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructures responded this afternoon to calls for the suspension of the new daily fee applied to rent-a-car operators in Madeira.

In a statement, the Secretariat stressed that the fee was expressly established under Regional Legislative Decree No. 7/2025/M of 4 December. The legislation also provided for the subsequent regulation of the measure through an ordinance.

According to the Secretariat, operators in the rental vehicle sector had been aware of the introduction of the fee since the publication of the decree in December 2025, as well as the need for regulations governing its implementation.

The Regional Government further noted that the legal framework clearly sets out the principal obligations applicable to operators and includes transitional mechanisms designed to facilitate a gradual adaptation to the new requirements.

“Ordinance No. 214/2026, of 21 May, concerning the regime applicable to the activity of renting vehicles without a driver in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, did not create any new fee, but merely regulated the procedures necessary for its application and collection, in accordance with the provisions of Regional Legislative Decree No. 7/2025/M of 4 December,” the statement said.

According to the Secretariat, the ordinance aims “to ensure the practical implementation of the regime previously approved, promoting transparency, uniformity of procedures and legal certainty in its execution.”

The Regional Secretariat also revealed that, following requests for clarification from ACIF-CCIM and ARAC – National Association of Vehicle Rental Companies, a letter was sent to both organisations on the 2nd of June outlining the Government’s position and providing further details on the measure.

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructures, reiterated its willingness to maintain ongoing dialogue with sector representatives, while defending what it describes as a balanced and appropriate implementation of the new regime.

The fee is:

€2 per rental day for standard vehicles.
€1 per rental day for zero-emission vehicles.
Capped at 10 days per rental contract, meaning the maximum charge is €20 (€10 for electric vehicles).

Samntha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com