What the EU regulation does
Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 has applied in every member state since 20 May 2026. It governs how data on short-term accommodation rentals is collected and shared, and the registration procedure in countries that introduce one. The host then declares to the platform whether the unit is subject to registration and gives its registration number.
Although it is called the “EU registration number”, the number is issued by the authority of the country that introduces registration, as soon as the declaration is submitted, and it contains no personal data. It is not the same as your rješenje, the county decision that gives your property its type and stars, which has a guide of its own.
When the requirement starts in Croatia
Croatia's Ministry of Tourism and Sport has announced that the registration-number requirement for rooms, apartments, studio apartments and holiday houses starts in early 2027. It will give the exact date once Parliament passes the new Hospitality Act (Zakon o ugostiteljskoj djelatnosti).
The bill was accepted at first reading on 3 July 2026, and if it passes it would enter into force on 1 January 2027. That is the date of the act, and the Ministry will announce separately when the number becomes mandatory.
Who will issue the number
The Ministry of Tourism and Sport will issue the number on request, free of charge and online. Owners who advertise rooms, apartments, studio apartments or holiday houses on short-term rental platforms will need one, individuals and companies alike.
Under the bill, you would apply through the integrated tourism information system, and the competent bodies would be the Ministry, the county administrations and the State Inspectorate. This may still change before the final text.
Where the number will have to appear
Under the regulation, the number goes in the listing on a short-term rental platform. The platform must check that it has your number before it lets you offer the unit, and that the number is shown clearly in the listing.
The Croatian bill also asks for the number when you sign up with a platform, when you advertise with taxable businesses from the EU, and in the property itself, next to the price list.
For your own website and social media the rules do not expressly ask for the number so far, but the final law may still change that.
What you can do now
Some advertising rules already apply today, under the current Hospitality Act.
- Check that your listing uses only the type and category in your rješenje. Stars the decision does not give you do not go in the listing.
- If you advertise with taxable businesses from the EU, for example through a platform based in the EU, show your tax number or VAT identification number when you do. How to get a VAT ID is in our VAT guide.
- When you get the registration number, add it to the listing on every platform where you offer that unit.
Checked on 20 October 2026. This guide is for information and does not replace an accountant's advice.
