Croatia to introduce mandatory registration for short-term rentals

The Croatian government plans to introduce a new Law on Hospitality by the end of the year, bringing significant changes for private landlords, hotels, and online short-term rental platforms. Starting in 2027, all accommodations advertised via online platforms—including rooms, apartments, and holiday homes—must display a unique registration number issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. This digitalized process is intended to be free of charge and aims to link state data with online platforms to ensure only registered properties are advertised. Platforms will be required to cooperate with the state and verify registration numbers, with high penalties proposed for non-compliance.

This legislative shift occurs as Croatia experiences slower growth in the private accommodation sector compared to its European neighbors. While the EU saw a 5.3 percent increase in overnight stays via platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb between April and June, Croatia recorded only a 1 percent growth. In contrast, countries such as Malta, Slovenia, and Slovakia have seen much higher expansion rates in this segment.