New EU Regulations from 2026: Mandatory Registration Numbers for Apartments

New changes are coming for all those involved in short-term rentals. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has confirmed that a new Hospitality Law will come into effect in 2026, which will incorporate the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 into Croatian law. This is a document adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in April 2024, and member states are required to implement it by May 20, 2026, by enacting the necessary laws and measures for its enforcement.

What does this mean in practice? A registration system and a unique digital channel for data exchange with platforms will be introduced. Every landlord must request a registration number before advertising on Airbnb, Booking, or another platform, and without it, the advertisement cannot be published. The number will be visible to guests so they can easily verify each accommodation unit.

Very detailed

When registering, landlords will have to provide detailed information about the accommodation unit: the exact address, type of property, purpose (primary or secondary residence), and maximum number of beds.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports states that existing information systems (likely eVisitor) will be upgraded and adapted as necessary to establish the registration process and automatic data exchange in accordance with the provisions of the mentioned Regulation.

The competent authorities, as well as the role of individual bodies at the national and local levels, will be defined by the provisions of the new law. The Regulation also provides for sanctions – from the suspension of the registration number that can be ordered by the competent authority, to the obligation of platforms to promptly remove advertisements without a valid number. Additionally, penalties will be prescribed for both landlords and online platforms that violate the rules.

The implementation of this regulation is expected to help combat illegal apartment rentals, which are increasingly flourishing in Croatia and are constantly pointed out by small registered landlords. As previously reported by Lider, the tourist inspection conducted 320 inspections in coastal counties by September 1, 2025, of which 104 revealed unregistered service provision or illegal advertising of accommodation. In other words, every third advertisement or property inspected was illegal.