EU short-term rental registration numbers: what hosts need to know

Since 20 May 2026, an EU regulation sets common rules for how short-term rentals are registered and how platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com report on them. Whether you need a registration number still depends on your country and often your city.

What the regulation is

Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 covers data collection and sharing for short-term accommodation rentals. It entered into force on 18 May 2024 and has applied since 20 May 2026. It applies to hosts renting in the EU and to the platforms they list on, wherever those platforms are based.

It doesn't ban or cap short-term rentals, and it doesn't make every host register. It sets out how registration works where a country or region already requires it, or chooses to.

If your area has a registration scheme

A member state that wants platform data for an area has to run a registration procedure there. When you register, you declare for each unit:

• its exact address, including floor and unit number, or a land registry reference
• the type of unit
• whether it's part or all of your main home, a second home, or something else
• the maximum number of guests and bed places
• whether it's covered by a local authorisation or licence scheme

Companies also give their name, business registration number, registered address and a contact person.

Once you've submitted everything, you get a registration number for the unit. It's listed in a public registry and mustn't contain personal data. Registration should be free or cost a reasonable amount.

What platforms now have to do

Platforms have to let you enter your registration number and show it on the listing, and make random checks that the numbers are valid. Each month they report activity to a national digital entry point for each unit in an area that requested data: nights booked and guest numbers, with the unit's registration number, address and listing link. Smaller platforms, averaging under 4,250 listings a month, can report quarterly instead.

When a number can be suspended

The local authority can check your declaration at any time after issuing the number. If you don't correct information they ask about, they can suspend the number and order platforms to remove or disable your listing.

What to do now

1. Look up your area on your country's list of areas with a registration procedure. Each member state has to publish one.
2. If it is, register each unit separately and keep the numbers with your listing details.
3. Add the number to every platform you list on, and to your own booking site.
4. Keep the declaration up to date if guest capacity or the unit's use changes.

Our software calculator covers what your booking tools cost. It doesn't track local rules, so check with your local authority before you list a new unit.