New regulations on short-term rentals – obligations for owners
On May 20, a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union regarding the collection and sharing of data related to short-term rental services for residential properties came into force.
The new regulations introduce significant changes for individuals engaged in short-term rentals. According to the provisions, owners providing accommodation services in non-categorized facilities—i.e., those other than hotels, motels, guesthouses, campsites, holiday centers, youth hostels, or camping grounds—are now subject to a registration obligation that did not previously apply to them.
Obligation to register properties
Individuals offering short-term rental services will be required to register their properties in the register of facilities providing hospitality services that are not classified as hotel establishments, maintained within the Municipality of Kraków.
This register is managed by the Mayor of the City of Kraków.
Work on national regulations
At the same time, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism is conducting legislative work aimed at aligning national regulations with the new EU provisions. This includes amendments to the relevant act and the preparation of detailed rules applicable across the country.
Although the work is at an advanced stage, the legislative process has not yet been completed and depends on further government and parliamentary actions.
Central identification number (CWTON)
The planned regulations will introduce, among other things, an obligation to assign each property an individual identification number—the so-called CWTON (Central Register of Tourist Accommodation Facilities). This number will be issued by a central system and will serve as a unique identifier for each property.
The CWTON number will become the primary designation used, among others:
- in communication with clients
- on booking platforms
- in documentation such as regulations or offers
Transitional period
Until the legislative process is completed and the IT system is implemented by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, it is not yet possible to obtain the central CWTON identification number.
In Kraków, at the stage of property registration, a municipal registration number is currently assigned. This number is only of local significance and will not be equivalent to the future CWTON number.
Where to find information
Due to the dynamic changes in regulations, it is recommended to follow updates published by: