Portugal’s Madeira islands have a new rule for visitors: comply with the safety rules, or pay big bucks for your rescue.
A new decree allows the Regional Civil Protection Service to charge for rescue of visitors who wander on trails that have not been posted as passable, or which are normally passable but temporarily or permanently closed.
This measure, according to a note published on the State Government’s official website, aims to discourage people from taking non-recommended routes that do not offer minimum safety conditions and that are more likely to result in accidents or incidents.
The government is making clear that anyone in need of rescue will be rescued, but fees will be charged. Rates range from €105 for one rescuer, €210 for two, and €753.25 for activating a helicopter, which also runs up charges of €7.50 per minute of flight time.
