EU introduces a unified digital registry for short-term rentals

In an attempt to bring more order and transparency to a sector that has grown strongly in recent years, but has simultaneously intensified pressure on housing and local infrastructure in numerous tourist destinations, the European Union is introducing new rules for short-term accommodation rental digital platforms.

Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council following months of negotiations on rules for platforms such as Airbnb and Booking, introduces the obligation to establish unified digital registration systems for hosts, as well as the obligation for platforms to regularly submit data on host activities to competent authorities, including the number of overnights, guests, and registration numbers of accommodation units.

According to the new rules, member states wishing to access the data must establish a single digital entry point, while platforms will have to conduct random checks on registration numbers and remove listings that do not meet the prescribed requirements. Data will be submitted to competent authorities automatically, mostly on a monthly basis.

The Regulation formally enters into force in May 2026, and member states can implement full application from January 2027. Croatia links the implementation of the regulation to the enactment of the new Hospitality Services Act, the public consultation for which concluded on May 18, and which is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2027. Thus, hosts and the digital platforms themselves have a defined transition period ahead of them for technical and administrative adjustment to the new regulatory requirements, without any impact on the ongoing tourist season.

Photo: AI

Source: bug.hr and Index.hr