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Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 applies from 20 May 2026. It introduces common rules for collecting and sharing data where registration procedures already exist. The regulation itself does not ban short-term rentals or create a single licence for every property in Bulgaria.
The new rules make it easier for authorities to match a property, its registration number and listing activity. For a buyer in Bulgaria, the practical conclusion is simple: verify the short-term rental plan before paying a deposit, not after receiving the keys.
What actually changes
Where a registration procedure applies, a host must tell the platform whether the property is covered and provide the registration number. Platforms must support these fields, display the number in the listing and carry out random checks. In the cases covered by the regulation, activity data is transmitted through the Member State's single digital entry point.
| Who and what they must do | Practical meaning |
|---|---|
|
Host
Declare whether registration applies and provide a number where required |
The documents and rental plan must comply with local requirements |
|
Platform
Display the number, carry out random checks and transmit the required data |
The listing and activity can be matched to a specific property |
|
Authorities
Receive data through a single digital entry point |
They can match the property, registration number and activity |
Why Bulgaria's ESTI context matters
Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism states that since 1 October 2019 all hoteliers, including natural persons providing accommodation in guest rooms, guest houses and guest apartments, must submit information to the Unified Tourist Information System, ESTI. This is an existing Bulgarian obligation, not a new requirement created by the 2026 regulation.
Checks before relying on rental income
- Property status and whether the intended accommodation model is permitted.
- Registration and ESTI reporting route for the specific scenario.
- Building or complex rules, including restrictions on short stays.
- Seasonality, management, tax, cleaning and platform fees before calculating net income.
The regulation does not guarantee returns or override national, municipal or contractual restrictions. Every property needs its own check.
If you are buying with short-term letting in mind, send us the listing. We will check the documents and restrictions before the rental-income forecast becomes part of the purchase decision.
