Hosting rules in France

Indroduction

The regulations for short-term rentals in France depend on whether you are renting your main home or a second home.

Understanding these distinctions is essential to remaining compliant and ensuring your property stays visible across booking channels.

Renting your main home

Your main home (or résidence principale) is the property where you live for at least 8 months of the year.

Under French law, your main home cannot be rented out for more than 120 days per year.

If you rent out your main home (in its entirety) for fewer than 120 days per year, you generally do not need to declare this to your local town hall (Mairie), except in certain cities with stricter rules, including:

• Paris
• Lyon
• Bordeaux

These cities require additional registration steps before advertising your property.

You can find detailed guidance on how to rent your main home in France here.

Renting a second home

Your second home (or résidence secondaire) is typically defined as a property you occupy for less than 4 months of the year.

Unlike main homes, second homes can be rented without limitation on the number of rental days per year.

However, you must register the property with your local town hall (Mairie) before hosting guests.

To register your property:

• Complete the CERFA application form for short-term rental registration.
• Submit the form to your local Mairie.
• Once approved, you will receive an acknowledgement and a registration number.

Your registration number must be displayed on all listings and advertisements for the property.

Most booking platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, will not allow you to publish your listing without this number.

You can find detailed guidance on how to register ya second home in France here.

Penalties

Failure to comply with local regulations can lead to fines:

• Up to €5,000 for failing to register a main residence with the local town hall.
• Up to €10,000 for renting a main residence for more than 120 days per year.

Need help?

If you require assistance with the registration process, please contact your local town hall (Mairie) for guidance on local procedures.

For additional support, you can also reach out to our Customer Support team – we’re here to help you stay compliant and keep your property visible on all major booking channels.