Introduction of licensing system for holiday lets in Wales
What do you need to know about the mandatory registration scheme for providers of paid visitor accommodation.
The Welsh Government is implementing a new, mandatory national registration scheme for all providers of paid visitor accommodation in Wales including occasional or once a year hosts. This scheme is the first stage of a wider reform programme that will later include a visitor levy and a full licensing system.
Across government explanations, the scheme aims to create an authoritative national register of all visitor accommodation in Wales, Support visitor levy implementation, improve data collection for tourism planning and policy development and support consumer confidence.
When the application window opens, which looks to be October 2026, providers will need to give:
- Personal and/or business contact details.
- Trading name (if applicable).
- Accommodation address.
- Type of accommodation.
- Maximum number of guests.
- Usual operating season.
It has been confirmed that providers will have a 6 month window to register their business with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA), where following this business owners could be subjected to financial penalties if they fail to register their details.
On March 17 2026, the Senedd passed a Bill to support the development of the licensing scheme which will follow the mentioned registration scheme above. Providers of visitor accommodation – beginning with self-contained, self-catering accommodation like holiday cottages and flats – will need a licence.
The licensing scheme is likely to start in 2029 and will build on the national register of visitor accommodation providers to create a publicly available directory of visitor accommodation.
To obtain a licence, providers will need to prove their accommodation is fit for visitors, by showing they have gas and electrical safety certificates, carbon monoxide alarms, public liability insurance, and that they have both conducted a fire safety risk assessment and taken relevant precautions.
If you have a query about the implementation of the registration scheme or any other questions on Welsh tourism, please contact your Policy lead for Tourism, Emily Church on 01547 317085.
