- by croatiaweek
- in News
ZAGREB, 21 October 2026 – Croatia is continuing work on changes to its hospitality legislation that would introduce a more transparent system for short-term tourist accommodation, including registration requirements for properties advertised through online booking platforms.
The proposed legislation was included on the agenda of the Croatian Government’s 216th session on 21 October, marking a further step in the process of establishing a more digitalised framework for tourist rentals.
The changes are intended to improve oversight of the short-term rental market and provide authorities with more reliable information about accommodation offered to visitors.
Under the proposal previously presented by the Government, rooms, apartments and holiday homes advertised through international platforms would be required to obtain a registration number.
The system is designed to make it easier to exchange information with digital platforms and prevent properties without the required registration from being advertised.
The legislation also envisages stronger monitoring arrangements, with responsibilities shared among relevant inspection and enforcement authorities.
Online platforms would face penalties if they failed to provide required information or comply with their obligations to check accommodation providers. The proposal outlined penalties ranging from €13,000 to €130,000, or between 1% and 6% of financial revenue, depending on the offence and applicable provisions.
The Government has also linked the changes to broader efforts to protect residential housing and improve the management of tourism in communities facing pressure from short-term accommodation.
Another element of the proposal is the digital handling of administrative procedures through the eTurizam system. The aim is to reduce paperwork, shorten processing times and improve transparency.
For property owners, the final implications will depend on the legislation adopted and the detailed rules governing its implementation.
The changes form part of a wider European effort to improve data collection and oversight of short-term accommodation. The EU framework for collecting and sharing data on short-term rental services began applying on 20 May 2026.
For Croatia, where private accommodation is an important part of the tourism offer, the system could provide authorities with a clearer picture of the number and location of registered properties.
It could also help distinguish compliant accommodation providers from unregistered listings.