The European Union is applying new rules for short-term rentals through online platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia.

The new European regulations regarding short-term rentals will apply from May 20, 2026, and introduce a common framework for the collection and transmission of data from hosts and online platforms to public authorities. Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 targets a sector that represents approximately a quarter of the tourist accommodation offers in the European Union.

In short

Online platforms will need to display and verify the registration numbers of the properties listed in member states that use the new system. Authorities will be able to request the removal of non-compliant listings, which may reduce the number of illegal listings and increase the safety of tourists. Hosts will receive a unique registration number for their property, through procedures that must be online and easy to use. The sector reached 951.6 million booked nights in 2025 through Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia, an increase of 11.4% compared to 2024. The collected data should help cities and authorities better manage the effects of short-term rentals in areas with tourist pressure and housing shortages.

The regulation introduces a common system for collecting and exchanging data on short-term accommodation rentals intermediated by online platforms. The European Commission states that the new rules aim to increase transparency, support better-informed public policies, and promote the sustainable development of tourism.

In member states that introduce registration procedures, these must be fully online and easy to use. Hosts will receive a unique registration number for their property, and platforms will need to display this number in advertisements.

Platforms will also have the obligation to verify registration numbers and conduct random checks to identify illegal listings. Public authorities will be able to request the removal of listings that do not comply with the rules.

The new rules require platforms to report monthly to authorities data about guest stays and booked nights. The data will be sent through a unique digital point created by each member state. For small platforms and micro-platforms, simplified reporting obligations will apply.

The European Commission states that the aggregated data collected through the regulation will contribute to Eurostat's tourism statistics and the development of new tourism-related services, while respecting personal data protection.

The sector has grown rapidly. According to Eurostat, in 2025 tourists spent 951.6 million nights in short-term accommodation units booked through Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia. This figure is 11.4% higher than in 2024.

Eurostat data also shows a sustained increase in the last quarter of 2025. Between October and December, the three platforms recorded 172.3 million booked nights, 10.9% more than in the same period in 2024.

The Commission presents short-term rentals as a source of opportunities for hosts, tourists, and local businesses. The institution notes, however, that the sector can put pressure on communities, especially in areas with housing shortages and high tourist demand.

The same tension has arisen in debates in the European Parliament. Kim Van Sparrentak, the rapporteur for the file in the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, stated that the rapid development of short-term rentals has led to fewer homes available for residents, increased rents and property prices, and affected the quality of life in neighborhoods. She added that the adopted rules ensure that cities have access to the necessary data to enforce local regulations.

The regulation does not require all member states to introduce registration systems for short-term rentals. The Commission specifies that the act operates on an opt-in/opt-out basis: member states are not obliged to apply it, but if they introduce a registration system or request data from platforms, they must use this European framework.

The legislative process for the file began with the European Commission's proposal on November 7, 2022. The European Parliament adopted the text on February 29, 2024, with 493 votes in favor, 14 against, and 33 abstentions, and the Council of the European Union adopted it on March 18, 2024. The final act was signed on April 11, 2024, and published in the Official Journal on April 29, 2024.

The regulation applies from May 20, 2026. Its implementation will depend on how member states and national or local authorities use the registration systems and unique digital points provided by the new European framework.

Short-term accommodation rentals have become an important part of the European tourism market, especially through online platforms. The European Commission states that this type of accommodation represents approximately a quarter of the tourist offers in the EU.

The main issue for authorities is the lack of reliable and comparable data. The European Parliament has pointed out, during the legislative process of the file, that limited information about hosts and properties has hindered the enforcement of local regulations and the assessment of the effects on the housing market and tourism.

Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 does not set direct limits on the number of rentals and does not harmonize local housing policies. It creates the data infrastructure through which authorities can see the sector's size more clearly and can enforce their own rules, if they exist.