Short-term letting has become hugely popular across Ireland. But with growing demand for housing and a shifting rental market, the Irish government has introduced a suite of rules to balance tourism benefits with housing availability. Whether you’re an existing host or thinking about entering the market, here’s everything you need to know about short-term letting regulations in Ireland and how to increase your earnings.
What counts as a short-term let?
In Ireland, short-term letting (STL) covers properties or parts of properties (like rooms or full houses) that are let out for periods of up to 21 nights at a time. This includes listings on platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com or similar online marketplaces.
Starting from May 20, 2026, new rules for short-term letting will apply if you’re a host offering accommodation.
Why are the short-term letting regulations in Ireland changing?
Short-term lettings have exploded in popularity and are vital for tourism. But local authorities and the national government also recognise that an oversupply of short-stay rentals can reduce the number of homes available for long-term tenants, especially in high-demand urban areas. The regulatory changes aim to improve transparency, ensure planning compliance, and protect long-term rental availability for permanent residents.
The National Short-Term Let Register
As part of the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill, Ireland will introduce a national STL Register, managed by Fáilte Ireland. From 20 May 2026 onwards:
- All short-term rental units must be registered with this national register.
- Hosts will receive a unique registration number for each unit.
- This number must be displayed on all online listings (e.g., Airbnb, Booking.com).
- Platforms will be required to facilitate and show these registration numbers clearly on listings.
Non-compliance won’t just hurt hosts. Platforms that list unregistered units can face significant penalties, including fines, under the new regulations.
When do you need planning permission?
Ireland’s planning regime treats short-term letting differently depending on whether a property is your principal private residence (your main home) or a second property/investment:
| Your Main Home (PPR) | Second Homes/Investment Properties |
| . You can let rooms in your home year-round (known as “home sharing”) without needing planning permission. . If you let your entire home while you’re away, you can do so for up to 90 nights per calendar year without planning permission. These 90 nights don’t have to be sequential. . Letting your whole home for more than 90 nights a year nationwide will require change-of-use planning permission from the local authority. | . If the property is not your principal private residence, you need to obtain planning permission to use it for short-term letting, even for stays under the 21 night threshold. . This requirement applies nationwide, as rent pressure zones have been extended across Ireland. |
Local authorities have discretion. They will consider housing needs, tourism demand and urban regeneration when granting (or refusing) planning permission.
Obligations for hosting platforms
Online rental platforms will play a big role in ensuring compliance:
- From May 2026, platforms must verify and display STL registration numbers for each listing.
- They must conduct random checks on listings to confirm accuracy of host data.
- If Fáilte Ireland orders a listing removed due to non-compliance, platforms must comply promptly.
- Platforms must share key rental data (like nights booked and registration number) via a standard system with Irish authorities.
These measures are part of broader EU rules to improve data transparency in the short-term rental market.
Penalties and enforcement
Failing to follow the rules can lead to consequences for both hosts and platforms.
Hosting without a valid registration number or planning compliance can result in enforcement action by Fáilte Ireland or local councils. Platforms that list unregistered properties risk fines, potentially tied to their revenue.
Local authorities can pursue planning enforcement if a property is used in breach of planning rules (e.g., letting without obtaining change-of-use permission).
Looking ahead: balancing tourism and housing
The evolving regulatory framework reflects Ireland’s attempt to strike a balance between supporting tourism and short-term lets, while safeguarding the availability of long-term housing. It also aims to align Ireland’s national short-term letting regulations with EU standards for transparency and data sharing.
Given the changes coming into force in 2026, now is the time for hosts to familiarise themselves with these requirements and ensure compliance to maintain listing visibility and keep rental earnings optimal.
Staying compliant while maximising short-term rental revenue
With the impending changes to the short-term letting regulations in Ireland, it’s important hosts remain compliant while maximising their rental income. Hybrid letting allows you to reap the benefits of flexible letting and earn more revenue.
Nestify simplifies your short-term letting management with market-led dynamic pricing, strategic hybrid letting and listing optimisation. Whether you’re looking to rent out your principal private residence or a secondary property (or both), Nestify can manage your letting operations and provide an exceptional guest experience.