A new amendment to the Tourism Act will require all accommodation providers, including hotels and private Airbnb rentals, to register in the upcoming eTurista system.

The proposal has passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies, with implementation planned for hotels this year and private rentals next year.

The amendment also grants municipalities the power to regulate short-term rentals in apartment buildings. Local governments will be able to set restrictions on rental periods, limit the number of days a property can be rented per year, and impose occupancy limits based on apartment size.

“Hotels and other registered accommodations must follow strict regulations and are subject to inspections and potential sanctions. However, authorities often have no oversight over short-term rentals via digital platforms, allowing some hosts to operate in a legal gray zone,” said Minister for Regional Development Petr Kulhánek (STAN).

Kulhánek emphasized that the lack of regulation negatively affects popular tourist destinations like central Prague and the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). Unregistered accommodations often fail to report foreign guests and avoid paying local accommodation fees.

“Our estimates suggest that the state loses nearly CZK 800 million annually in unpaid taxes from unregistered accommodations, while municipalities lose another 55 million crowns in local fees,” the minister added.

Mandatory Registration for All Accommodation Providers

Under the new rules, all accommodation providers—whether hotels, guesthouses, or private landlords renting out apartments—must register in the eTurista system. Without a valid registration number, online platforms will be prohibited from listing properties for rent.

Authorities will be able to impose fines of up to CZK 100,000 on providers who fail to register.

The Ministry of Regional Development expects the eTurista system to be operational this spring, initially in a trial phase. According to contract records, the IT system’s development cost CZK 34.4 million including VAT.

The law is expected to take effect in late 2025, with the short-term rental regulations officially enforced from May 2026.

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