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TL;DR
Ireland will launch a national Short-Term Letting Register (STLR) on 20 May 2026. Hosts who offer accommodation for up to 21 nights must register annually and display a registration number on listings; while platforms must verify and share data. In Dublin, the existing ≤14-night definition and 90-day cap for your entire principal private residence (PPR) still apply — anything beyond that (or any non-PPR) typically needs planning permission.
Table of Contents
Ireland-wide: the 2026 Short-Term Letting Register
The Government has confirmed a nationwide register for short-term lets from 20 May 2026. When you register, Fáilte Ireland will issue a unique number per unit, to be displayed wherever you list. Registration will be annual, and platforms will have duties under Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 to collect/verify numbers and share activity data with authorities.
What it changes: visibility and enforcement. The register standardises host identification and gives councils reliable activity data through platform reporting. It doesn’t replace local planning rules — it sits alongside them.
📌 Want the quick version for Dublin? See caps, planning triggers, and penalties at a glance.
👉 See the Rules: Dublin Airbnb Rules – Compliance Snapshot
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Dublin today: the rules that still apply
Dublin keeps the 2019 planning framework:
- Short-term letting = a letting not exceeding 14 days.
- You can let your entire PPR short-term for a cumulative 90 days per calendar year while you’re away.
- Beyond 90 days, or any non-PPR used for short-term letting, generally requires change-of-use planning permission.
Citizens Information provides a plain-English summary consistent with the above.
How the register and Dublin rules work together (scenarios)
- Occasional homeshare (rooms in your PPR while you’re present): No planning trigger; from May 2026, you’ll register your unit and display your number on listings.
- Letting your entire PPR while away, ≤90 days/year: Exempt from planning up to 90 days; from May 2026, you must register and display the number. Track nights to avoid crossing the cap.
- Entire PPR >90 days or any non-PPR: Expect planning permission in Dublin and STLR registration from 2026. Platforms will be obliged to verify your registration number and share data.
📌 Need the deep dive on the 90-day rule and forms? This walkthrough covers exemptions, notifications, and planning.
👉 Read the Guide: Dublin’s 90-Day Rule & Planning Forms
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Quick notes for other Irish cities/councils
The planning logic is similar across Rent Pressure Zones. Official pages to bookmark:
- Cork City: homesharing unrestricted; entire PPR up to 90 days, beyond that needs planning.
- Galway City: ≤14-day definition; homeshare unrestricted in PPR; non-PPR needs planning.
- Limerick City & County: same framework — entire PPR up to 90 days; otherwise planning required.
- Fingal (North Co. Dublin): ≤90-day PPR allowance; planning beyond cap.
- Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown: same 90-day PPR limit; homeshare unrestricted.
- South Dublin County: page confirms the 2019 reforms and enforcement approach.
These callouts reassure hosts outside Dublin City that planning is still local — the national register simply adds an all-Ireland registration number from 2026. Enterprise Ireland
Safety duties: building code vs fire-service guidance
Ireland’s official Guide to Fire Safety in Guest Accommodation sets expectations for detection, escape routes, and management — use it as your baseline regardless of scale. For site-specific questions in the capital, contact Dublin Fire Brigade – Fire Prevention.
Minimum actions most small STRs should document:
- Appropriate smoke/heat detection and test records.
- Escape route kept clear; evacuation plan available for guests.
- CO alarms where fuel appliances are present.
Taxes & VAT (fast primer)
- Income tax: Declare profits from short-term letting via your annual return (Revenue guidance applies).
- Rent-a-Room: Generally does not apply to short-term guest accommodation. Review qualifying conditions before assuming relief.
- VAT: Accommodation is typically at the 13.5% reduced rate. Services VAT registration threshold is €42,500 (from 1 Jan 2025) — monitor turnover; your facts may require registration earlier.
We’re not tax advisors; treat this as signposting to official sources.
📌 Hosting outside Dublin too? Get the national view on definitions, caps and the new register.
👉 Explore the Hub: Ireland Airbnb Rules – National Overview
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Join Houst’s Airbnb Business Partnership Program to start, manage, and scale with ease. Get expert support, automation tools, and smart pricing strategies to maximize earnings and grow faster.
⭐ Rated 4.8/5 by 2,500+ Hosts
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How to stay compliant (now → May 2026)
- Map your use
- Are stays ≤14 nights? Is this your PPR? If you let your entire PPR, keep a 90-day tally per calendar year.
- Check planning requirements
- Non-PPR or >90 days? Expect planning permission in Dublin; speak to DCC Planning early.
- Prepare for the STLR
- Watch for Fáilte Ireland updates; be ready to register and display your number from 20 May 2026.
- Fire safety
- Implement the national guide; keep maintenance and drill logs; contact Dublin Fire Brigade for prevention queries.
- Finance admin
- Keep income/expense records; check VAT thresholds and current rates; file on time.
- List transparently
- From 2026, ensure your registration number appears on every listing; platforms must verify under the EU Regulation.
FAQ
1) When does the register start?
20 May 2026. Hosts offering accommodation up to 21 nights must register annually and display a number on listings.
2) Does the register replace planning permission?
No. It’s national and sits alongside local planning rules like Dublin’s 14-night-or-less definition and the 90-day cap for your principal private residence (PPR).
3) I rent my entire PPR occasionally — do I need permission?
Up to 90 days/year (stays ≤14 nights) is generally exempt; beyond that, apply for planning permission. From 2026 you’ll also register.
4) What about a second home/investment apartment?
Short-term letting a non-PPR in Dublin generally requires planning permission; from 2026 you’ll also need to register.
5) What are the penalties about platforms/data?
Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, platforms must verify/collect registration numbers and share activity data with authorities.
6) Does Rent-a-Room relief apply to Airbnb-style guests?
Typically no — check the qualifying conditions carefully.
📚 Must-Read Guides on Irish STR Rules
- 🏙️ Cork Airbnb Rules – City Snapshot — How Cork applies the ≤14-night definition and 90-day PPR limit, plus planning steps.
- 📘 Cork: 90-Day Rule & Planning Forms — Detailed, step-by-step compliance for Cork hosts, with paperwork and timelines.
- 🌉 Limerick Airbnb Rules – City Snapshot — Local approach to PPR allowances, non-PPR restrictions, and what triggers planning.
- 📗 Limerick: 90-Day Rule & Planning Forms — Full breakdown of exemptions, when to apply, and what to submit.
- 📜 Dublin: 90-Day Rule & Planning Forms — Revisit the granular Dublin process (forms, evidence, timelines) from our companion guide.
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