New tourism bill: short-term rental apartments to register on e-Albania with a unique code

The government has published for public consultation a new tourism bill meant to regulate a market that has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the explanatory report of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, reported by Ekofin, the sector's growth, new forms of accommodation and digital booking platforms call for clearer rules.

Short-term rentals come into the open

The most tangible change for owners concerns apartments and villas rented out for short stays. They must register through the e-Albania portal and will receive a unique registration code. The goal is a more complete database and more accurate tourism statistics.

The bill also defines new accommodation models for the first time: mixed resorts with tourist and residential units, distributed hotels with units in separate buildings under one operator, often in historic areas, and jointly managed accommodation, regardless of ownership.

Open-ended certificates and a complaints office

Classification certificates will be issued with no expiry date, as long as the business meets service, safety and hygiene standards. An Alternative Dispute Resolution Office will be set up at the ministry, without removing the parties' right to go to court. Rules on package travel are tightened, including financial guarantees and online bookings.

The law also provides stricter standards for beach concessions, rules for hiking trails with a National Commission of Tourist Trails, and a Tourism Data System with a Central Register and an e-Visitor module. Provisions for operators from the EU and the EEA would apply only from the date of Albania's EU accession.