Government to introduce strict new Airbnb rules, limiting short-term lets in major cities
It is understood the legislation is due to be brought forward in the coming weeks.
The Government is preparing to crackdown on Airbnb, effectively banning the long-term tourist rental of homes in large towns and cities.
The proposed rules are much stricter than previously expected, with restrictions set to prevent homeowners from renting out properties for more than 90 days a year if they live in an area with a population greater than 10,000.
Senior Government sources confirmed they intend to bring forward new legislation in the coming weeks introducing stringent regulations on short-term lets.
This would prevent individuals who are short-term letting properties on a full-time basis from operating in large towns and cities.
The Cabinet committee on housing agreed earlier this week to permit tourism minister Peter Burke to prepare the legislation that will regulate short-term lets.
It is understood the legislation is due to be brought forward in the coming weeks.
Sources said that during the meeting, Tánaiste Simon Harris told ministers that Government agencies and bodies need to work harder on dealing with the ongoing housing crisis.
He said housing must be treated as an emergency by all State bodies, but this is not the case at present.
The new laws will require any households renting out their property as a short-term let for more than 21 days a year to register with Fáilte Ireland.
Individuals who are letting properties out on a short-term basis will be required to have a valid registration number, with Fáilte Ireland expected to monitor websites like Airbnb and Booking.com to ensure compliance.
The Government has previously estimated as many as 10,000 properties currently used for short-term lets could be used for long-term housing.
It is estimated by Fáilte Ireland that there are approximately 32,000 short-term lets being advertised online across the country.
Regulation of short-term lets were originally planned to be introduced by the previous government, but the laws were delayed by the European Commission after the bloc unveiled its own plans to regulate companies like Airbnb.
It is expected that the Government will align the enactment of its new short-term lets laws with the EU regulations, ensuring that both come into effect in May 2026.
Cabinet is also set to agree on the revised National Planning Framework next week, which will formally update Ireland’s housing targets.
The updated targets are aiming to deliver 303,000 houses by 2030, meaning an average of 50,500 are needed each year to meet this deadline.
The Cabinet committee has also agreed the next steps on a successor plan to Housing for All.
This new five-year action plan on housing, is expected to be agreed before the summer.
The programme for government outlines a number of new proposals on housing, including the introduction of a new starter homes programme.
It says this will promote home ownership and long-term rental for young people, to be delivered by the private and AHB sector.
