Short-term rentals booked via digital platforms now account for roughly a quarter of tourist stays in the EU, with 951.6 million nights recorded in 2025 according to Eurostat. While the segment brings clear benefits for hosts, travellers and local economies, its rapid expansion has added pressure on housing markets in areas already facing supply constraints and high tourism demand.
Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, Member States operating registration schemes must rely on streamlined digital procedures and assign each property a unique identifier, which platforms are required to display, verify and check against illegal listings. Booking data will flow monthly to public authorities through a Single Digital Entry Point and feed into Eurostat tourism statistics. The Regulation works on an opt-in/opt-out basis - Member States are not obliged to introduce registration, but where they do, they must follow the common EU rules, giving local authorities a stronger evidence base to manage the interaction between tourism and housing affordability.

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