By Victor Timmermans, founder of HOSTEA
The year 2026 is the busiest in regulatory changes since the entry into force of the Logiesdecreet. Three texts overlap: a European regulation, a decision from the Flemish government, and a transfer of competence regarding the fire certificate. Here is what this concretely implies for a second stay at the Belgian coast.
The European regulation 2024/1028: what applies since May 2026
Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of 11 April 2024 has been applicable since 20 May 2026. It harmonises the collection and sharing of short-term rental data across the Union. Each accommodation must have a verifiable registration number, and platforms must regularly transmit their activity data to the national authorities.
For an owner, the practical consequence can be summed up in one sentence: the registration number ceases to be an administrative formality and becomes the condition for the visibility of the listing.
- The accommodation must have a verifiable national registration number.
- The platform must verify this number and may remove a listing that does not have one.
- Activity data is reported to the authorities via a single digital entry point.
- In Flanders, the relevant number is the one issued by Toerisme Vlaanderen after the registration.
What the Flemish government decided on 1 June 2026
The Flemish government has decided to tighten the rules applicable to Airbnb-type rentals. Only accommodations with a registration number from Toerisme Vlaanderen will still be allowed on online platforms, and the platforms will have to share data about their offerings and activities (VRT NWS and Belga, 1 June 2026).
The figure that motivated the decision is public: during the annual inspection by Toerisme Vlaanderen of online platforms, only 6 out of 10 checked accommodations were compliant with the Logiesdecreet (VRT NWS, 1 June 2026).
| Announced measure | Effect for the owner |
|---|---|
| Mandatory registration number on platforms | A listing without a number is intended to be removed |
| Mandatory data sharing by platforms | Undeclared accommodations become immediately identifiable |
| Closure on simple municipal report | A planning violation can lead to a quick closure |
Previously, a closure required a maintenance procedure that could last for years. A municipal report will now be sufficient for Toerisme Vlaanderen to close the accommodation (VRT NWS, 1 June 2026).
This orientation was announced in the Flemish Parliament committee on 25 June 2025, with two complementary axes: to support municipalities in their urban planning control of tourist accommodations, and to automatically transmit each registration to the local authorities (Flemish Parliament, 27 June 2025).
The fire safety certificate has been transferred to ACEG vzw
Since 29 September 2025, ACEG vzw has been issuing the fire safety certificate for small tourist accommodations in Flanders, that is to say a rental unit with a maximum of 12 beds. The application is made digitally via the e-loket of ACEG since 1 October 2025, and the control follows Annex 2 of the Logiesdecreet.
This is the point that penalises the most the files that are late: the certificate conditions the complete declaration, therefore the registration number, and thus now the visibility of the advertisement. The details of the procedure are in our guide Logiesdecreet: your obligations in short-term rental.
What should you do concretely before the 2027 season?
Four checks are enough to secure a property before the next season. Check that the registration number exists and is displayed on the advertisement, verify the validity of the fire certificate, confirm that the tourist function of the property is authorised by the municipality, and regularise the municipal taxes.
- Registration number. Check that it appears on every advertisement, Airbnb as well as Booking.com.
- Fire certificate. Check the validity date and the scope covered by the ACEG control.
- Urban planning. Ask the municipality if the tourist function of the property is permitted, and if a change of function is required.
- Municipal taxes. Distinguish the tourist tax from the tax on second residences, which are subject to different regulations.
HOSTEA data, 2026: for the compliance files followed by HOSTEA on the Belgian coast, expect 4 to 8 weeks between the start of the procedures and the first compliant night. The majority of the delay comes from the preparation of the fire safety certificate, not from the registration.
How HOSTEA puts you in compliance
HOSTEA treats compliance as a prerequisite, not as an option. Declaration to Toerisme Vlaanderen, compilation of the ACEG file, verification of the municipal regulations and the condominium regulations, then publication of the advertisement with the registration number displayed and dynamic pricing.
Operational management relies on self-check-in via a key box and professional cleaning between each stay. HOSTEA never welcomes travellers in person on the Belgian coast, from La Panne to Knokke-Heist.
Request a free estimate of your property or book a 20-minute call with Victor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new Airbnb rules in Flanders in 2026?
The Flemish government decided on 1 June 2026 that only accommodations with a registration number from Toerisme Vlaanderen will be allowed to be offered on platforms. The platforms will have to share their data, and a municipal report will be sufficient to close a non-compliant accommodation (VRT NWS, 2026).
Since when does the European regulation 2024/1028 apply?
Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of 11 April 2024 has been applicable since 20 May 2026. It imposes a verifiable registration number for each short-term accommodation and requires platforms to verify this number and to transmit their activity data to the national authorities.
Who issues the fire safety certificate in Flanders in 2026?
Since 29 September 2025, ACEG vzw has been issuing the fire safety certificate for small tourist accommodations in Flanders, which is a rental unit with a maximum of 12 sleeping places. The application goes through the e-loket of ACEG since 1 October 2025, and the inspection follows Annex 2 of the Logiesdecreet.
How many Flemish accommodations are compliant today?
During the annual inspection by Toerisme Vlaanderen on online platforms, only 6 out of 10 accommodations checked were compliant with the Logiesdecreet (VRT NWS and Belga, 1 June 2026). This finding motivated the tightening decided by the Flemish government.
Can my listing be removed from Airbnb in 2026?
Yes, if the accommodation does not have a valid registration number. The European framework requires platforms to verify this number, and Flanders has decided to restrict access to platforms to registered accommodations. A listing without a number is set to disappear from the results.
Do these rules also apply to occasional rentals?
Yes. Toerisme Vlaanderen requires declaration even for an occasional rental, from just one night per year via a platform (Toerisme Vlaanderen, 5 February 2026). The occasional nature changes the applicable taxation, but never the obligation to declare or the safety standards.
About the author
Victor Timmermans is the founder of HOSTEA, a short-term rental concierge service specialising on the Belgian coast. He assists second home owners in complying with the Logiesdecreet, rental management, and revenue optimisation, from La Panne to Knokke-Heist.
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace professional legal or tax advice. Always check the regulations in force in your municipality.
Official sources
- European Union, Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 of 11 April 2024, applicable since 20 May 2026.
- VRT NWS and Belga, Flanders tightens rules for Airbnbs, 1 June 2026.
- Flemish Parliament, Stricter rules for Airbnb must better protect the rental market, 27 June 2025.
- Tourism Flanders, Are you renting accommodation via a booking platform? Here’s what you need to know, 5 February 2026.
- Tourism Flanders, Fire safety standards for accommodation, consulted on 14 September 2026.
- Tourism Flanders, Register your accommodation, consulted on 14 September 2026.