Ireland’s short-term letting sector is set for major change after the Government published the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill on 6 October 2026. The proposed legislation will introduce a national register, new responsibilities for rental platforms and stronger enforcement powers.
Announced by Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Bill is intended to improve transparency, strengthen tourism data and support a better balance between visitor accommodation and long-term housing supply.
Short-Term Letting Register to Open in December
A central feature of the Bill is the creation of Ireland’s first national register for short-term lettings. The register will cover stays of up to 21 nights and will be administered by Fáilte Ireland, which will act as the competent authority under the new framework.
Hosts will need to obtain and maintain a valid registration number. That number must be shown on advertisements and online listings, allowing visitors, public bodies and regulators to identify accommodation providers more easily.
The register will also support implementation of EU Regulation 2024/1028, which requires improved data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services. The Government says reliable information will help shape evidence-based tourism, housing and planning policy.
What hosts will need to do
- Register short-term accommodation with Fáilte Ireland.
- Display a valid registration number on advertisements and listings.
- Confirm planning compliance when applying for registration.
- Maintain accurate information and cooperate with compliance checks.
The register is scheduled to open on 1 December, although the Bill must first complete its passage through the Oireachtas.
New Obligations for Online Rental Platforms
Online short-term rental platforms will also face significant obligations. Platforms will be expected to display registration numbers, carry out random checks, provide specified activity data and remove or disable access to listings that do not meet the rules where required.
Fáilte Ireland will be given powers to appoint registration and authorised officers. These officers may conduct inspections and investigations, request records and seek information relating to suspected breaches of the legislation or EU requirements.
The proposed enforcement system will include fixed payment notices, summary offences and administrative sanctions. Serious breaches by platforms could result in financial penalties of up to 2% of annual worldwide turnover.
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Planning Compliance and Long-Term Housing
Hosts will have to confirm that their accommodation is planning compliant. The source announcement states that hosts in locations with populations below 20,000 will have two years to regularise their planning position.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning is expected to publish a National Planning Statement setting out planning rules for the sector. A simplified process is also planned to help hosts become compliant in line with that statement.
The Government has linked the legislation to the wider need to prioritise long-term rental accommodation, particularly in urban areas. However, the Bill’s practical impact will depend on the final legislation, planning rules and how the registration regime operates after commencement.
Student Accommodation and Tourism Regulation
The Bill includes a dedicated registration framework for limited stays in student-specific accommodation. This is designed to allow such properties to host visitors while preserving their primary educational purpose.
It will also modernise registration provisions covering hotels, guesthouses, hostels, holiday camps, caravan sites and camping sites. Several outdated legal provisions concerning motor hotels, holiday cottages and holiday apartments will be repealed.
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What Happens Next?
The Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill will now proceed through the Oireachtas. Until the legislation is enacted and supporting rules are published, hosts and platforms should monitor official updates from gov.ie and Fáilte Ireland rather than assume that every final requirement is settled.
Key takeaway: Ireland’s proposed short-term letting framework will create a national register, require listing numbers, increase platform accountability and introduce stronger penalties. The measure is an important development for tourism regulation, housing policy and compliance across the sector.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
