- The Register for STR has been criticised as like the emperor with no clothes
- The Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill was published on 6 October
- The register opens on 1 December 2026 with hosts required to register by 31 December
- The National Planning Statement has not been published
The Register for Short-Term Letting has been criticised as” like the emperor with no clothes,” by the Irish Self Cateirng Federation, who express concerns that gold-plated legislation may close down many of the 139,950 self-catering properties. A press release announcing the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill was published on 6 October by Minister for Tourism Peter Burke indicating, as expected, that it will require people letting a property for short-term stays to register with Fáilte Ireland and obtain planning permission. But there is no sign of the legislation or any further details about it.
The register opens on 1 December 2026, with hosts required to register by 31 December 2026. Accommodation providers in areas of under 20,000 in population are granted a two-year period to become planning compliant. There is a presumption not to grant planning in places with populations of over 20,000. All rental properties in these more densely populated areas must be registered and planning compliant by 31 December. Industry representatives fear the legislation could result in the loss of hundreds of short-term let properties around the country.
The National Planning Statement, which will dictate planning requirements for short-term letting outlets, has not been published. According to Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, there are 28,903 short-term lets available in Ireland and Dublin accounts for 32pc of the total. Eurostat data shows that at country level Ireland has a 14.6pc increase in holiday lets bookings, Malta 9.9pc and Slovakia 5.9pc.
