13 May 2026
Irish Government Pause Register for STR
The Irish Self-Catering Federation welcomes the Government announcement that the Register for STR is to be delayed to December 2026 The Register for STR is an EU directive across all EU States from May 20th 2026. The Irish Government have to advise the EU Commission if they want to delay the introduction of the Register to later in the year the introduction of the Register before 20/5/2026. All registers introduced in Countries need to be in compliance with EU legislation and work with the API so data can be fed into the Eurostat data collection system.
Introduction of Register across EU Countries
The introduction is being staggered in many counties with only Denmark, Poland, Malta, Hungary. The Netherlands, Cyprus, Germany, Bulgaria* propose the register introduction in September 2026, while France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenian, Belgium, Croatia. Austria and Slovakia will bring in the Register for STR in early 2026 Those with a first time register as well as Ireland are Luxembourg, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia,Cyprus. Finland and Lithuania not implementing the Register at present. There is a lot of technical work needed in each national statutory body to make sure the data is in the correct format. Failte Ireland has been designated as Irelands collecting organisation with each property being given an specific registration number. The register deals with not just self-catering but all properties with a roof where you can stay overnight from Hotels, to hostels, Guesthouses to Glamping and the few remaining BnB throughout the country. As self-catering offers 40% of tourism beds the Register is particularly important for this sector.
Irish Government Proposals for Self-Catering Planning
Planning for Self-catering was introduced for group schemes and only since 2019, with the Rent Pressure Zones was a compulsory Planning requirement for all Self-catering introduced. The Government has decided to make this planning a retrospective requirement for all self-catering businesses, while at the same time many could not get planning due to the RPZ zoning. There has been a fear of the full planning requirement, and the Dept of Housing needs to give clarity on the planning requirement. The ISCF, IHH and ITIC have called for talks with the Dept of Housing to resolve this issue and retain existing small family rural businesses. The Government announcement of the proposals for a cap of STR in towns below a population of 20,000 and the Grandfather 7 year rule were welcomed. But clarity is still needed on this and we await the National Planning Statement.
The Self-catering offering is vital to the rural tourism economy of Ireland and we need to ensure all quality stock is retainted in the sector.
For media enquiries:
Contact the ISCF office, which co-ordinates all interview requests.
Office:- info@ISCF.ie Phone: 086 – 178 5654 Join ISCF Now
About the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF)
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.