PRESS RELEASE – 30/09/2026
Is Irelands Proposal for Restricting STR more Severe that EU Commissions Affordable Housing Act ?
The Irish Self-Catering Federation has been calling for a Register for Short Term Rental (STR) since 2017 as the previous Register for STR was disbanded by Government in 2008. The EU Commission has called for all countries to bring in a Register for STR from May 2026 onwards. Many countries are moving this process in consultation with the EU Commission on national regulations. In Ireland Self-Catering is the 2nd largest provider of tourism beds with 139,950 spaces while hotels provided 161,600 spaces. The market has changed and the number of B&B and Hostel beds has been seriously reduced in recent years.
Proposals for a Register for STR.
The Dept of Enterprise Tourism and Employment (DETE) plans to introduce the new Register for STR Bill (Short-Term Letting & Tourism Act 2025 (STLT)) in early October, pass all parts of the Dáil process by November and introduce a Register for STR, managed by Failte Ireland in December. All self-catering businesses are to be Registered by 1st January 2027 and display a registration number.
The Dept of Housing published a Draft National Planning Statement for STR in June 2026. It is now undergoing Environmental Assessment. This legislation proposes that all 25 towns and cities with a population above 20,000 will have to have STR Planning before being allowed get on the Register for STR. For those in areas below 20,000 (as per the last Census), will be allowed to Register and need to get STR planning within 2 years.
Ireland is introducing a retrospective planning requirement for all existing micro holiday lets, the only country in the EU to do so. What we need is Planning Guidelines for new STR businesses, not planning legislation which will close many existing Self-catering businesses.
On 1st October short term rental family businesses have no idea exactly when the JOC Committee report on the proposed Register for STR will be presented to the Government, the Register for STR Bill will have passed through the Dáil and if the new National Planning Statement for STR will be in place. This means many holiday lets cannot trade after January 1st.
Affordable Housing Legislation at EU level
The EU Commission has introduced the discussion on the Affordable Housing Act and discussions will take up to 18 months. This proposes that population alone should not determine STR Restrictions, and evidence must be provided to show STR having a significant adverse housing impact. Restrictions should be geographically targeted and differentiated, with less restrictive alternatives considered. Most importantly established operators have a legitimate expectation to continue in business.
The Irish Government proposals for restrictions of STR goes beyond those proposed by the EU, who focus on cities, not towns with a population of 20,000.
Views of TDs and Industry
The lack of clarity at National and EU level for the self-catering and glamping sector has caused comments, but little from the Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment Peter Burke or Minister for Housing James Browne!
Danny Healy Rae stated that the Affordable Housing Act proposals will not solve the housing crisis and housing shortage goes way beyond limiting Airbnb’s. There are issues with planning restrictions for one-off housing and the TD suggested that basic infrastructure such as sewage and water is needed to accommodate housing development.
Michael Collins TD stated that “there needs to be a legitimate way to deal with housing pressures, but this does not mean treating every person providing Short term accommodation as part of the housing problem”. The issue faces every holiday let businesses, not just the owners advertising on Airbnb.
“Clear evidence must be prerequisite to restrictions, and the 20,000 threshold is harder to justify by the Irish Government” said CEO of the ISCF Máire ní Mhurchú. “It needs to be highlighted that long-established legitimate STR businesses must be allowed to continue to operate. All legislation proposals for the SME sector need to be ‘Stress tested’ to gauge the effect on existing holiday lets businesses. We believe this has not taken place in a coordinated means between the two Government departments and there is no analysis on the effect of this legislation on those in the industry for years”.
Derek Keogh Chair of ISCF said “Clear communication from Government departments is essential and we call for round table discussion. The Register for STR is too important to be threatened by unbalanced, unfair and disproportionate national legislation. We need harmonised EU legislation for the STR sector”
Noelle Casey Vice-Chair of the ISCF said “We are holding our annual conference on 23rd November 2026, and we expect to be able to give all self-catering and glamping businesses clear guidelines on how to continue in business. This is of course dependent on the information we receive from the relevant government departments”
ENDS
* EU Affordable Housing Act Proposal
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About the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF)
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) is the national representative and lobbying body for owners of self-catering properties in Ireland. Established in 1998, the ISCF advocates on behalf of its members to promote and develop the interests of the self-catering sector across the country.
The ISCF has called for a Register for STR since 2017. Recognised by Fáilte Ireland, local and central government, and key tourism stakeholders, the ISCF works to ensure that self-catering accommodation providers have a unified voice in policy discussions and industry developments.
The federation represents a diverse range of property owners, from individual holiday home operators to larger agencies and groups. In addition to national advocacy, the ISCF is a member of the European Holiday Homes Association (EHHA), engaging in discussions and policy development at the European level to support the self-catering industry.