Deputy Ministry of Tourism Reiterates Registration Requirement for Short-Term Rentals

With the tourist season now underway, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism has issued a renewed warning to property owners offering short-term rentals, emphasizing the legal requirement for registration in the Self-Service Accommodation Registry. According to the Deputy Ministry, failure to comply constitutes a criminal offense, and individuals found guilty risk penalties including a fine of up to five thousand euros (€5,000).

The Ministry stresses that anyone operating or managing self-catering accommodations, such as those listed on Airbnb and similar platforms, must obtain a registration permit. “Anyone who maintains or operates self-catering accommodation without a registration permit is guilty of an offence and risks a fine, if convicted, of 5 thousand euros,” the statement noted.

The latest reminder, issued just this past Saturday, forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing campaign to ensure regulatory compliance within the sector. The initiative also seeks to provide authorities with a more accurate picture of the market landscape, while addressing increasing concerns from the hotel industry. Hoteliers have long argued that unregulated self-service accommodations create unfair competition, urging further oversight and regulation.

The Deputy Ministry reiterated that, under the “Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations Law,” operators may only advertise or rent their properties if they are properly registered and have secured the necessary license. The registration number, once issued by the Ministry, must be displayed in all advertisements, promotions, and transactions related to the property.

The registration process is conducted online through the Deputy Ministry of Tourism’s official website at www.gov.cy/tourism, where property owners can submit applications and obtain a registration permit.

The announcement also emphasizes that operating without a valid registration—or continuing operations after a permit has been revoked—constitutes an offense under the law. The penalties for such violations include “a prison sentence not exceeding one (1) year or a fine not exceeding five thousand euros (€5,000) or to both of these penalties.” Furthermore, the Ministry warns that continued violation after conviction results in an additional offense, punishable by “a further fine not exceeding two hundred euros (€200) for each day of continuation of the violation.”

Recent data presented to Parliament during discussions on the wider implications of short-term rentals on the housing crisis and society reveal that as of the end of February, 8,248 accommodations had been registered in the Self-Catering Accommodation Registry. Additionally, 1,275 applications were still pending review at that time.

The Deputy Ministry urges all operators to “comply with the provisions of the current legislation,” warning that failure to do so will result in legal consequences.

By fLEXI tEAM