Ireland is currently the only country where planning compliance is being directly linked to the Register for STR.
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) welcomes the Government announcement to pause the introduction of the Register for Short-Term Rental (STR) accommodation until December 2026.
The Federation believes this delay is a necessary and practical step, allowing time for clarity on planning requirements and alignment with the phased implementation of the STR Register across the European Union.
This is in line with other countries such as Austria and Belgium, where implementation of the Register is being staggered throughout the EU. The Register for STR is too important to SME family businesses to be introduced without clarity on planning. Ireland is currently the only country where planning compliance is being directly linked to the Register for STR.
Self-Catering Sector Remains Critical to Irish Tourism
Demand for self-catering accommodation has increased significantly since COVID, with strong growth across Europe. Looking at the whole of 2025, guests spent a total of 951.6 million nights in short-stay accommodations booked online, representing an 11.4% increase compared with 2024 and a 32.4% increase from 2023, according to Eurostat. The self-catering sector provides approximately 40% of tourism bed capacity, particularly in rural Ireland.
ISCF Calls for Practical Planning Pathways
The ISCF is calling for discussions on how planning and other legal requirements for self-catering properties can be implemented in a practical and workable way for operators. The Federation proposes that properties in towns with populations under 20,000 should be exempt from planning permission requirements where the accommodation has been operating as established tourism stock for more than five years.
The proposed “grandfather” rule should allow established properties operating for seven years or more in high-density areas to continue, subject to practical planning pathways. However, local planning authorities need to be advised of these new rules so they can process applications for such businesses appropriately. For group schemes in these areas, the ISCF proposes a single planning application model, similar to that used by Center Parcs developments.
Federation Seeks National Planning Statement
The Federation also calls on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to issue a National Planning Statement providing clear guidance for the development of new businesses in the self-catering and glamping sectors.
The European Commission has stated that the Register for STR must meet EU guidelines so that data can be gathered on the economic value of the sector, the number of beds available, and occupancy levels across each region of the EU. Several member states are implementing the register at different stages. Countries such as Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Ireland are beginning implementation, while others are aligning their systems to the EU API framework.
Commenting on the announcement, Máire Ní Mhurchú said:
“In a very uncertain summer, the Irish Self-Catering Federation welcomes the pause of the register. We ask that planning be decoupled from the Register for STR, bringing an equal playing f ield across the EU. The Register for STR should first include all properties that are quality assured, along Heritage Properties.”
Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), added:
“We welcome the deferral of the Register for STR during an uncertain summer which has already affected bookings. The establishment of the Register should protect self-catering businesses in regional Ireland once it comes into effect.”
Historic Houses of Ireland, a charity representing and advocating for built, cultural and natural heritage in private hands, also welcomed the announcement.
Thomas Emmet, External Relations Officer, said:
“Our members across Ireland, from thatched cottages and vernacular buildings to iconic castles and estates, have been hugely concerned over the last few months about the unintended consequences of the legislation for their properties and their ability to contribute to rural tourism and the local economy.
While this is a welcome delay, it is vital that the National Planning Statement and the legislation now reflect our calls for a grace period and the exemption of historic properties in rural areas not suitable for long-term accommodation.
The delay allows for getting the legislation right, and I hope that is what we will now see.”
ISCF Looks Forward to Clarity on Planning Compliance
The ISCF looks forward to clarity from Government on how the sector can move forward with the Register, while ensuring a straightforward and practical system for planning compliance for existing businesses. This should also help remove so-called “ghost STR properties” — properties originally built with short-term rental planning permission but currently operating in the long-term rental market.
Tourism remains Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, and the Federation welcomes Minister Burkes intervention in pausing implementation to allow meaningful engagement with the sector.
Visit ISCF for more information: https://iscf.ie/
