Czechia is beginning to address overtourism by cracking down on short-term holiday rentals, such as those offered through Airbnb. The Czech government has been discussing new regulations that would empower local authorities in a bid to reduce the problems of rising rent and the lack of housing availability, especially in popular tourist spots like Prague. Draft government legislation, on which ministers have this month given their backing, also proposes to limit the number of days a property can be let and would set minimum space requirements per guest. It also envisages that tougher regulatory regimes and local levies could be brought in for guesthouses, Airbnbs, and other holiday lets, bringing them in line with the obligations of traditional hotels.
Owners of properties should be required to register their properties and guests’ information with the eTurista platform. After registering, a property owner will acquire a registration number, which they should put on all their listings. This is to bring oversight to the whole business of short-term rentals, most of which are under the radar now. Officials estimate that 40% to 70% of online platform bookings are undeclared, depriving the state of almost €32 million a year in lost taxes. The new rules are expected to come into force by July 2025 at the latest, and steps will be taken to mitigate the negative impact of tourism on local communities.
