New regulations regarding short-term rental. Prepare for changes

The mandatory central register of premises is a response to EU regulations that will come into force in May 2026. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism is working intensively on a project that is intended to organize activities in this dynamically developing industry.

Central register – a tool for market control

The key element of the new regulations is to be the central register of short-term rentals. Its purpose is to identify and control entities offering such services. Grzegorz Żurawski, president of the Polish Short-Term Rental Association, expressed his satisfaction with this step:

“The central register is required by EU regulations, so it must be created. Hence the work on the bill. We, as representatives of the industry, are glad that there is an excuse to organize this activity. According to EU regulations, it will not be possible to operate on booking portals without a number from the central register,” Żurawski points out.

Thanks to the register, it will be possible to better monitor the market, eliminate anonymity and counteract the gray zone. As experts emphasize, a mandatory registration number is to become a condition for presence on booking platforms, which will significantly increase transparency.

Open issues – challenges for the industry

Although the draft law raises hopes for regulating the market, many important issues remain unresolved. Discussions are ongoing on:

• sanctions for violations of regulations,

• cooperation with the management boards of housing communities and cooperatives,

• precise definition of short-term rental in the Act.

Industry representatives call for taking into account the specific nature of the business and protecting the rights of property owners. It is also crucial to solve neighborhood problems and reduce the nuisance that often accompanies rentals in residential buildings.

Future prospects

The industry also sees the need to introduce mandatory online registration for guests using hotel and short-term rental services. This solution would aim to increase security, eliminate anonymity and better monitor the flow of guests.

The Ministry of Sport and Tourism plans to present the draft act to the Council of Ministers by the end of the first quarter of 2025. The industry is counting on further consultations and open dialogue, which will allow us to develop regulations that take into account the needs of all interested parties.

The introduction of new regulations may become an important step towards organizing the short-term rental market in Poland, combining transparency with the protection of the rights of property owners.