Short-term rental in Romania: rules and advice for owners

Classification comes first in Romania

Romania treats a flat let to tourists as a tourist accommodation unit, even when the owner is a private individual. Under Government Decision 1267/2010, the unit must hold a classification certificate issued by the ministry in charge of tourism before it welcomes paying guests. Inspectors can impose heavy fines on unclassified operations, so this is the step to secure before anything else.

The EU short-term rental regulation (2024/1028) has applied since 20 May 2026. It requires each listing to carry a unique registration number that platforms must check. In June 2026, however, the tourism ministry said the national implementation was still under analysis and that no codes had yet been issued. Until the system goes live, keep your classification file complete so you can request a code as soon as it opens.

National licensing, local levies

Classification is decided at national level, and the rules are the same in the capital and in the provinces. Local councils matter mainly for the local accommodation tax, and your owners' association may have its own view on guests coming and going in the block.

The seven cities we cover

Every Romanian city on our list sits in the same category: a classified unit is required, followed by the registration number once it can be obtained. That covers Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Timișoara, Brașov, Sibiu and Constanța. Demand differs sharply: Brașov and Sibiu live largely from tourism, Constanța depends on the summer season on the Black Sea, and Iași shows more moderate demand.

Taxes and paperwork

• Income: since 2026, individuals renting up to seven rooms in total fall under a simplified regime with a flat allowance for expenses; beyond that, a business structure is expected.
• Health contribution: may become payable above an annual income threshold.
• Guests: an accommodation form is completed for each stay.
• Local tax: many councils levy an accommodation tax collected from guests.

Our advice before you list

Obtain the classification certificate and sort out your tax registration first, and only then publish your listing. Read your building's rules, keep invoices and guest forms in order from the very first booking, and follow the launch of the national registration portal closely. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.