19th June 2026
- NPS issued by Department of Housing provides clarity for Short-term operators
- Hosts who have been operating for more than 7 years will be provided with a pathway for change of use planning approval, subject to certain criteria being met
- Operators will be able to avail of a new simplified planning process to be implemented by Local Authorities under direction from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Implementation of EU Short-Term Rental Regulation in Ireland
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to introducing effective regulatory controls for the short-term letting sector through the implementation of the EU Short-Term Rental Regulation (EU) 2024/1028. Ireland will complete its full implementation of the Regulation by 31 December 2026.
A key feature of the Regulation is the requirement for online platforms to display valid registration numbers for all short-term rental listings and ensure that unregistered properties are delisted. This marks a significant development, as prior to the Regulation there was no legal basis to require platforms to display registration numbers or to remove non-compliant listings, which limited the enforcement capabilities of our Local Authorities.
Short-term letting hosts will be required, at the point of registration, to confirm that they are authorised to provide short-term rental accommodation, including that the necessary planning permissions are in place. The use of properties for short-term letting is subject to planning regulations in Ireland. For operators in locations with a population of over 20,000, there will be a presumption not to grant planning, as provided for in the National Planning Statement which was brought to Cabinet this week by the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage, James Browne.
Accommodation providers operating in areas with a population of 20,000 or less will have a two-year period to achieve planning compliance, and established use rights principles will apply to those who have been operating for more than seven years. A presumption to grant planning permission will be given to such operators, so long as the development does not result in serious flooding, pollution or traffic hazard.
Minister Burke will bring the Short-Letting and Tourism Bill through the Oireachtas in the coming weeks, which also provides for fines of up to 2% of a platform’s annual turnover, representing a significant deterrent to non-compliance. Ireland is among 22 EU Member States opting into the Regulation and is progressing implementation ahead of many counterparts, most of whom are expected to fully implement the new rules by 2027.
Minister Burke said,
“It is vital that we free up housing for the rental market in our large towns and cities, where the housing need is the most acute. In many rural areas, where developing tourist accommodation hasn’t been financially viable in recent years, short-term rentals are often the only available option. They play a vital role in supporting tourism and provide essential income and employment for communities with limited alternative industries.
“The approach agreed strikes the right balance, and I look forward to bringing the legislation through the Oireachtas and the register being opened by Fáilte Ireland on December 1.”
ENDS
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