Are you booking an apartment for your holiday? A new obligation for owners

Owners of apartments and holiday homes no longer have a choice.

New regulations have been in force since June 30, which are intended to increase the safety of people using short-term rentals. This is also an important signal for tourists – before booking, it is worth paying attention not only to photos and opinions, but also to the facility’s equipment.

A holiday trip is associated with rest, but experts remind that safety begins at the place of accommodation. As of June 30, 2026, regulations have entered into force imposing new obligations on owners of flats, apartments, houses, guest rooms and summer houses rented on a daily basis.

The changes cover thousands of facilities throughout Poland and affect millions of people who use short-term rentals each year.

A new obligation for owners of apartments and houses

Pursuant to the regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration, all existing premises where hotel services are provided must be equipped with autonomous smoke detectors.

If there is a device burning solid, gaseous or liquid fuel in the facility – for example a fireplace, stove, boiler or gas water heater – it is also necessary to install an autonomous carbon monoxide sensor.

The devices should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and meet the requirements of applicable Polish Standards.

– This regulation means that not only newly constructed facilities will have to have this type of autonomous devices, but also (facilities providing) hotel services will have to have this type of detectors from June 30, 2026, and all residential facilities from January 1, 2030 – points out Wojciech Kruczek, Chief Commander of the State Fire Service.

As the Chief Commander of the State Fire Service emphasizes, the new regulations cover not only newly constructed facilities. The obligation already applies to all operating places providing hotel services, and from January 1, 2030, similar requirements will also apply to all residential buildings.

Why are changes so important?

For many people, the most important criteria for choosing accommodation are price, location or access to air conditioning. Meanwhile, statistics show that safety is equally important.

According to data from the State Fire Service, in the first half of 2025 alone, there were over 17,000 fires in residential buildings in Poland. Firefighters also regularly intervene in incidents related to carbon monoxide, which causes poisoning and fatal accidents every year.

During the holidays, the risk increases even more. The apartments charge phones, laptops, smartwatches, power banks and electric scooters at the same time. Leaving them energized overnight, especially in hot weather, increases the risk of batteries overheating and failure.

If a fire occurs at night, quick smoke detection may decide the life and health of sleeping people.

Europe has been using such solutions for years

Poland is no exception. The obligation to install autonomous smoke detectors has been in place for many years, including: in Germany, France and Great Britain. Similar regulations also apply in many European countries eagerly visited by tourists.

The aim of the regulations is primarily to reduce the number of fire victims and to detect threats more quickly.

How to check if the accommodation is safe?

Experts advise that before making a reservation, you should pay attention not only to the photos of the apartment.

It is worth checking whether the offer description includes information about:

• autonomous smoke detector,

• carbon monoxide sensor,

• fire extinguisher,

• first aid kit,

• marked escape routes or alarm system.

Such information is increasingly appearing on popular booking platforms. If they are missing, it is worth asking the owner before arrival.

Lack of detectors may mean a violation of regulations

From June 30, equipping accommodation facilities with the required devices is no longer good practice, but an obligation resulting from fire safety regulations.

For owners, this means the need to adapt rented flats, apartments and houses to the new requirements. For tourists – an additional element that is worth checking before making a reservation.

Because even the most beautiful apartment with a sea view will not ensure a peaceful stay if there are no basic security measures that can save your life.