Airbnb Regulatory Developments & Planned Restrictions

1. Short Term Let Register (from May 2026)

• The Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill General Scheme was approved in April 2025. It mandates that all short term lets (STLs) must register with Fáilte Ireland, beginning 20 May 2026. Hosts must display a valid registration number when advertising, and Fáilte Ireland will monitor compliance.
• Platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com may be penalised up to 2% of annual turnover for listing unregistered properties, amounting to potentially millions of euros.

2. Planning Permission Enforcement & Thresholds

• Nationwide rules now require planning permission for short term letting, not just in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs). Exemptions apply only to home sharing of your principal residence.
• New legislation proposes effectively prohibiting planning permission for short term lets in towns and cities with populations over 10,000—targeting urban areas where long term housing is most needed.
• A 90 day per year limit on short term lets in those areas is also proposed before planning is required.

3. Timeline & Legislative Process

• Although initial drafts date back to 2022–2023, full enforcement isn’t expected until mid-2026, aligning with EU regulation timelines.
• The government emphasises balancing tourism and housing needs, continuing consultations with stakeholders and aligning with EU law.

4. Local Level Action: Dublin’s Lockbox Crackdown

• Dublin City Council has targeted key lockboxes—often used by Airbnb hosts—placed in public spaces (e.g. bike racks, signage poles). These are to be removed and destroyed due to safety and litter concerns. Letting platforms are being instructed to alert hosts; non compliant hosts will be affected.

  Key Measure Summary

• Registration Requirement – All short-term lets must register with Fáilte Ireland from May 2026.
• Planning Permission Enforcement – Now required nationwide; stricter rules apply in towns and cities with populations over 10,000.
• 90-Day Limit – Short-term lets are capped at 90 nights per year in urban areas before planning permission is needed.
• Platform Penalties – Platforms (like Airbnb, Booking.com) face fines of up to 2% of turnover for listing unregistered properties.
• Lockbox Removal in Dublin – Dublin City Council is removing unsafe public key boxes used by short-stay hosts.