The Government is not attempting to force Airbnb from Ireland, Tánaiste Simon Harris has insisted, despite plans for a significant crackdown on long-term tourist rentals in larger towns and cities.
Harris emphasized that Ireland is in a “housing emergency” that requires all possible solutions, including regulation of short-term lets. “There’s a place for Airbnb. There’s a place for short-term lets, but it does need to have some sort of regulatory structure and clarity in relation to it,” the Tánaiste stated.
As first reported by the Irish Examiner, the Government is preparing new regulations that would prevent homeowners in areas with populations greater than 10,000 from renting out properties for more than 90 days annually. Senior Government sources confirmed plans to introduce this stringent legislation in the coming weeks.
The proposed regulations would effectively halt the operation of full-time short-term rental properties in large towns and cities across Ireland. However, Harris emphasized a balanced approach is needed: “There always has to be a place for short-term lets in terms of tourism,” while adding that properties that “could be available for a family or a couple who desperately need accommodation to rent” must be considered.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has been tasked with leading the legislation, which Harris hopes will be advanced this year and implemented by 2026. The new laws will require any household renting their property as a short-term let for more than 21 days annually to register with Fáilte Ireland.
All individuals letting properties on a short-term basis will need valid registration numbers, with Fáilte Ireland expected to monitor platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to ensure compliance.
The Government has previously estimated that as many as 10,000 properties currently used as short-term lets could potentially be converted into long-term accommodation. According to Fáilte Ireland, approximately 32,000 properties nationwide are currently used as short-term rentals.