Prague 1 Calls for Stricter Rules on Short-Term Rentals Through eTurista

Prague 1 is calling for amendments to the planned revision of the Tourism Act and the new eTurista registration system. According to the district, the system must not merely register accommodation providers but must enable effective oversight of short-term rentals and prevent illegal listings.

The Prague 1 District Council has adopted a resolution calling on the state to incorporate comprehensive control mechanisms from the outset when introducing the system. These include verifying the identity of accommodation providers, confirming the legal and planning status of the property, and placing greater responsibility on online platforms.

Prague 1 also points to the clear will of the public. In a local referendum held on 3 and 4 October 2025, 72.26 per cent of participants voted in favour of restricting short-term rentals in residential buildings. A total of 9,480 of the 20,997 eligible voters took part, making the referendum valid.

Foto: Roman | Unsplash

“eTurista must not become nothing more than a database of accommodation listings. A registration number must not serve as a licence to rent out flats that are intended for residential use. If the state does not ensure effective verification of the information provided, hold platforms accountable and consistently enforce the rules, the new system will not help people living in Prague’s city centre,” said Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská.

Protecting residential housing is at the heart of the district’s demands. According to Prague 1, before a registration number is issued, it should be clearly verified who owns the property and who is letting it, what legal right the operator has to use the property, and whether its use complies with planning regulations and the approved purpose of the building. Flats that are in practice used as tourist accommodation should no longer be classified as ordinary residential housing.

Online platforms such as Airbnb should also be subject to stricter obligations under the district’s proposals. Listings without a valid registration number should not be allowed to be published. In addition, platforms should be required to verify the validity of registration numbers and remove illegal, duplicate or misleading listings. Authorities should also be given the power to compare data provided by the platforms with information supplied by accommodation providers, including the number of guests, the length of stays and the specific property being rented.

Foto: Marius Serban | Unsplash

Prague 1 is also calling for changes to the municipal accommodation tax. In future, municipalities should be able to set the level of the tax according to the actual impact of tourism. The proposal envisages a range of CZK 0 to CZK 200 per person per night. In the longer term, consideration should be given to allowing municipalities to determine the upper limit independently, provided the principles of proportionality, equal treatment and legal certainty are respected.

With the adopted resolution, Prague 1 intends to continue discussions with the Ministry of Regional Development, the City of Prague, as well as members of parliament and senators. The aim is to ensure that these proposals are incorporated both into the legislative amendment and into the technical design of the eTurista system.