Starting from 20 May 2026, short-term accommodation rental services in the EU will be subject to Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services, which also amends Regulation (EU) 2018/1724.
The new regulation introduces several key obligations:
- mandatory registration of short-term rental services;
- control and verification mechanisms for relevant authorities;
- obligations for online platforms related to verification and data provision;
- information-sharing frameworks between EU Member States.
This marks another step in the EU's broader strategy on the collaborative economy, building on the 2016 communication "A European agenda for the collaborative economy". The aim of the new regulation is to equip Member States with tools to monitor and manage the short-term rental sector, primarily by improving data collection – in particular, through the registration of rented premises. This data can subsequently support local, regional or national authorities in designing measures, including potential limits on the sector's share in the rental market.
The number of short-term rental listings has surged in recent years, especially in tourist hotspots, largely driven by digital platforms. At the EU level, concerns have been raised that this increased accessibility has contributed to overtourism and created challenges for local communities, notably by shrinking the supply of long-term rentals and driving up housing prices. While Poland is still working on specific legislation in this area, several Member States, including France, Spain and Germany, have already implemented local-level restrictions.
The real estate sector, however, remains divided on the EU's approach. Critics argue that income potential from short-term rental has spurred investment in properties in tourist areas – properties which may be unattractive for permanent residence. They warn that stricter regulations could discourage investment and lead to the neglect of historic urban neighbourhoods. With limited interest in long-term rentals and reduced short-term income opportunities, such areas risk underdevelopment or decay.
In the coming years, EU Member States will need to strike a delicate balance between protecting the interests of local residents, encouraging private investment and ensuring the sustainable preservation of urban heritage.
By Agnieszka Gul-Czajkowska, Senior Attorney at law, Schoenherr
