6th October 2026
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, today (6th October) announced the publication of the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill, which will establish a new regulatory framework for short-term accommodation rentals in Ireland and give effect to EU Regulation 2024/1028.
The Bill will designate Fáilte Ireland as the competent authority responsible for implementing the new framework, including the establishment and operation of a national register of short-term lettings covering stays of up to 21 nights for the first time ever. In recent years, there has been significant annual growth in this area and often no way to contact or identify hosts.
Speaking on the publication of the Bill, Minister Burke said:
"The publication of this Bill marks an important step in delivering a modern regulatory framework for short-term letting in Ireland. By establishing the register, we will improve the quality of data on tourist accommodation and strengthen transparency across the sector. The framework will provide greater clarity for hosts and platforms while helping public authorities better understand accommodation supply and support the sustainable development of tourism throughout the country, while also ensuring that long-term rental accommodation is also being prioritised, particularly in urban areas”.
The Bill will now proceed through the legislative process in the Oireachtas, and the register will open December 1st.
Under the Bill, hosts offering short-term accommodation rental services will be required to obtain and maintain a valid registration number and display it on all advertisements and listings. Online short-term rental platforms will be required to display registration numbers, conduct random checks on listings, submit specified data on short term rental activity and remove or disable access to non-compliant listings where required.
The legislation provides Fáilte Ireland with powers to monitor compliance, including the appointment of registration officers and authorised officers to carry out inspections and investigations and require the production of information and records.
The Bill also introduces a range of enforcement measures including fixed payment notices and summary offences. In cases involving serious breaches by online short-term rental platforms, financial sanctions may be administered, including fines of up to 2 per cent of annual worldwide turnover.
All hosts must confirm they are planning compliant in order to register, with provision in the Bill for hosts in locations with under 20,000 population having two years to regularise their planninThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning has confirmed he will shortly bring forward a National Planning Statement, which will set out the planning rules for the Short-Term Letting Sector, as well as a simplified stream-lined process for hosts to become planning compliant, in line with the National Planning Statement.
Notes to editor
The publication of the Short Term Letting and Tourism Bill is a significant legislative measure that will establish a new regulatory framework for short-term accommodation rentals in Ireland and give full effect in national law to EU Regulation 2024/1028 on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services.
The Bill is designed to improve transparency in the short-term letting sector by introducing a comprehensive registration system and strengthening the availability of reliable data on tourist accommodation across the State. It will support evidence-based policymaking, sustainable tourism development and effective enforcement, while ensuring compliance with Ireland's obligations under EU law.
Under the Bill, Fáilte Ireland will be designated as the competent authority responsible for implementing and administering the new framework. This will include the establishment, operation and maintenance of a national register of short-term lettings, the operation of the Single Digital Entry Point required under the EU Regulation, and the collection and sharing of relevant data in accordance with European requirements.
The legislation will require hosts offering short-term accommodation rental services to obtain and maintain a valid registration number and to display that number on advertisements and listings. Online short-term rental platforms will also be subject to a range of obligations, including displaying registration numbers, conducting random checks on listings, submitting required data on short-term rental activity and removing or disabling access to non-compliant listings where appropriate.
The Bill provides Fáilte Ireland with the powers necessary to monitor compliance and enforce the new regime. These powers include the appointment of registration officers and authorised officers to conduct inspections and investigations, require the production of information and records and investigate suspected breaches of both the Act and the EU Regulation.
A graduated enforcement framework is also provided for, including fixed payment notices, summary offences and an administrative sanctions regime. In cases involving more serious contraventions by online short-term rental platforms, matters may be referred to a Panel of Adjudication Officers appointed by the Minister. The Panel will have the authority to determine whether a breach has occurred and, where appropriate, impose financial sanctions that may include fines of up to 2 per cent of annual worldwide turnover.
The Bill also strengthens cooperation between Fáilte Ireland, other competent authorities and relevant public bodies and provides for the collection, retention, processing and sharing of short-term rental data to support regulatory oversight and policy development.
In addition, the legislation establishes a new register for limited stays in student-specific accommodation, allowing such accommodation to continue to accommodate visitors through a dedicated registration framework while preserving its primary educational purpose. The Bill also modernises provisions governing the registration of hotels, guesthouses, hostels, holiday camps, caravan sites and camping sites, reflecting contemporary regulatory and operational requirements.
As part of this modernisation, the Bill repeals a number of obsolete legislative provisions relating to motor hotels, holiday cottages and holiday apartments.
ENDS
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