In short
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 has applied since 20 May 2026 in every Member State.
- It is a regulation about data and transparency, not a ban: it does not decide where short-term rentals may or may not operate.
- Listings must show a valid registration number. In Portugal, it is the Alojamento Local (AL) registration number that already exists.
- Platforms now verify registrations and share each listing's activity data with the authorities.
Why it exists
Until now, each country and each municipality asked platforms for different data, and the authorities had little reliable information on how many rentals were active and how often. The regulation harmonises the way this data is collected and shared, so that housing and tourism decisions are based on real numbers.
What changes for hosts
- RegistrationWhere a registration procedure exists, the property must be registered. In Portugal, Alojamento Local registration is already mandatory.
- Number and self-declarationWhen you advertise, you give the registration number and declare that the information is true.
- Number visible on every listingAirbnb, Booking, Vrbo and your own website: the number must appear on each listing.
- Up-to-date informationChanges to the property, the holder or the capacity must be reflected in the registration and in the listings.
What changes for platforms
- They ask for and display the registration number on every listing.
- They run random checks on registrations and remove listings without a valid number when the authority asks.
- Every month, they send the authorities each listing's activity data (nights and number of guests) through a single digital entry point. Smaller platforms may report quarterly.
And in Portugal?
Portugal starts from an advanced position: Alojamento Local registration has existed for years and the registration number already had to appear in listings. For most hosts, the change is mainly making sure the number is correct and visible on every channel. The biggest effort falls on the platforms, which now have to validate and report.
As platform data is now cross-checked against the register, listings with no number, the wrong number or a capacity different from the registered one are more exposed to removal.
Checklist for today
- Confirm your registration numberIs it the same as the one in the National Register of Alojamento Local (RNAL)?
- Check every listingDo Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo, Expedia and your website show the number?
- Compare the capacityDoes the number of guests advertised match the registered one?
- Update the holderHas the holder or the property manager changed? Update the registration.
- Keep your dataHave the nights and guests per property to hand. It is the same data the platforms will report.
How MyStay helps
With MyStay, each property has its data in one place: the registration number, the capacity and the calendar of every channel. The reports show nights and guests per property and per channel, and the monthly INE submission is already automatic. If you are not registered yet, we file the licence application with you.
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Rules may change and some depend on the municipality: always check with the official authorities.
FAQ
Does the regulation ban short-term rentals?
No. It is a regulation about registration, transparency and data sharing. The rules on where and how short-term rentals can operate remain national and municipal.
Since when does it apply?
Since 20 May 2026, in every Member State of the European Union.
Do I need a new registration?
In Portugal, the Alojamento Local registration number you already have remains the number to use.
What happens to a listing without a number?
The platform may have to remove it at the request of the competent authority.