A proposal for a law to extend the period of registration of self-catering accommodation in the register of the Ministry of Tourism for another year was submitted yesterday in the Plenary Session of the Parliament by the members of the parliamentary Energy Committee.
The proposal specifically provides for an amendment to the Law on the Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations in order to extend the transitional period for registration of self-catering accommodation in the Register of Self-catering Accommodation, for another year, ie until February 7, 2023. The proposed arrangement is deemed necessary, as a large number of self-catering accommodation owners have not been able to submit timely applications for registration of their accommodation in the said register, due to the difficulties encountered in the process of submitting the necessary information.
It is worth noting that the existing “deadline” for owners of premises for registration in the register of the Ministry of Tourism expires on February 7, 2022 and that after this date, if there is no change by then, the provisions of the legislation are activated which prohibit the distribution and advertising of accommodation for short-term rentals on various electronic platforms such as “Airbnb”. The Ministry of Tourism will even be able to proceed with the imposition of penalties if it finds premises that can be advertised or rented without being registered in the register. However, the submission of the bill for extension yesterday and the fact that it was submitted by the parliamentary Energy Committee, ensures that when it is presented before the Plenary Session of the Parliament, it will be voted in favor. Therefore, the extension of the registrations in the relevant register of the Ministry of Tourism is considered almost certain. The Energy Committee of the Parliament has discussed at least twice in the recent past the various problems that arose during the application process in the register of the Ministry of Tourism and with the consent of the Deputy Minister it was decided to address them, which seems to be done. in the first stage, by extending the whole process.
