EU regulation for short-term rentals:
What Berlin property owners need to know now

Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 creates a uniform framework across Europe for the automated data exchange between booking platforms and authorities. In Germany, it implements the Short-Term Rental Data Exchange Act (KVDG), which the Bundestag adopted on April 23, 2026. The Federal Network Agency has been assuming central tasks since July 1, 2026: it is a single digital access point and national coordinator and maintains an updated list of municipalities with registration procedures. Important for owners: The regulation does not create a new approval requirement and does not revoke existing approvals. It is about transparency, not about banning something.

In Berlin, every holiday apartment offered must from August 1, 2018, have a registration number in the advertisement, visible when listing and bidding. The number consists of 17 digits, letters, and special characters, follows the same system in all districts, and is sent to the district office by post. There are two ways to obtain it: Those who rent individual rooms up to 49 percent of their main residence must show the district office for free that they have done so. Those who rent the entire main or secondary residence must apply for a permit using the BauWohn 600 form — the district office in Mitte costs 100 euros for the main residence and 150 euros for the secondary residence. There is no separate fee for the registration number itself. Which way is right for you is set out in our Frequently asked questions.

Since September 1, 2026, online platforms usually submit occupancy data to the Federal Network Agency on a monthly basis, starting with July and August; smaller platforms report quarterly. Data is submitted, among other things, on activity data, registration number, municipality, and the maximum number of sleeping accommodations. The Federal Network Agency passes the data on to the relevant municipalities, in Berlin to the districts. Additionally, regular spot checks of host information are planned, according to the authority starting in October 2026. Practically speaking, this means: Keep an overview of your rental days — for a secondary residence, the limit is 90 days per year.

Without a valid registration number, the ad is threatened with deletion: Where a local registration procedure exists, platforms are no longer allowed to publish listings without a number. Berlin is currently adapting its purpose-dissemination ban law to the EU regulation. In addition, there are fines. Anyone who does not provide the registration number or provides it incorrectly risks up to 250,000 euros; according to the framework amounts set by the Senate Department for 2026, initially 1,000 euros will be due for each apartment, and in the event of repeated violations 2,000 euros. Anyone who rents without permission risks a fine of up to 500,000 euros.

After several delays, the new digital registration procedure for Berlin was launched in October 2026. Existing registration numbers will be automatically converted to the new system according to previous feedback. For new applications, Berlin requests proof of authorization and sometimes checks in advance before assigning a number. You can find the current status at Federal Network Agency and the Senate Department.

Before launching, GreatStay Co-Hosting checks which route applies to your apartment; it assists with listing or application; it enters the registration number in all listings; and it documents your rental days. This ensures your apartment remains bookable even if the rules change. More about this on our page Achievements — or write to us for a non-binding initial consultation.

Status: October 2026. This text does not replace legal advice. The information provided by the Berlin district offices is binding.