Croatia is moving to crack down on illegal tourist rentals.
Croatia is preparing extensive Legislative changes aimed at combating illegal short-term rentals. The Minister of Tourism and Sport, Tonči Glavina, has announced that the new Hospitality Act will be introduced by May. The focus is on unregistered renters and the so-called grey market.
According to announcements, digital supervision is becoming a key control tool. Online platforms will no longer be allowed to advertise properties that do not have official registration and approval for providing services. The aim is to stop illegal advertising and level the playing field.
Each accommodation unit will be assigned a unique identification number. The system will be linked to the Tax Administration. Rental data will be updated on a daily basis. This enables near real-time activity monitoring, without constant on-site inspections.
The ministry points out that this is an alignment with the European Union's rules on large digital platforms. The new model should enable more effective oversight, greater transparency, and faster detection of irregularities.
The powers of supervisory bodies are also planned to be strengthened. Municipal inspectors, the customs service, and the State Inspectorate should be given wider operational capabilities. This is intended to speed up action against illegal landlords.
The theme of illegal rentals will be at the heart of discussions at the 5th Congress of Family Accommodation. Professional associations and landlords will analyse new regulatory frameworks and practical consequences of legal changes there.
Illegal rentals have become a sensitive issue in recent years. Unfair competition, loss of tax revenue, and pressure on local communities are mentioned. The state is now announcing a more systematic and technologically supported approach to solving the problem.
