Hosting rules in France
Understand how main-home and second-home rental rules differ, and what to check before advertising your property in France.
Before you advertise your property
France’s short-term rental requirements depend on whether the property is your main home or a second home, as well as the rules in its municipality.
Check registration, rental limits and any required authorisations before advertising. A registration number does not replace a separate permission that may be required to use the property for short-term accommodation.
What rules apply to my main home?
Your main home, or résidence principale, is generally the property you occupy for at least eight months a year, with exceptions for circumstances such as work, health or force majeure.
When you rent out the entire main home as furnished tourist accommodation, the usual annual limit is 120 days. Municipalities can reduce this to 90 days, so check the limit where your property is located.
Count relevant rental days across all booking channels and direct bookings, not just one platform. Do not assume that every French municipality uses the same annual limit.
For official guidance, see Renting your main home as furnished tourist accommodation.
What rules apply to my second home?
A second home, or résidence secondaire, is a property that is not your main residence.
The main-home annual limit does not apply in the same way, but this does not mean second-home short-term letting is unrestricted. Depending on the location, you may need change-of-use authorisation, and additional conditions may apply.
Check with your Mairie before advertising. Registration and change-of-use authorisation are separate requirements.
For official guidance, see Renting a second home as furnished tourist accommodation.
How do I register my property?
French legislation provides for registration of furnished tourist accommodation, including main homes, under the national registration framework. Confirm the current procedure for your property with the Mairie or the official service before submitting an application.
Once you have the required registration number, include it in your booking-site listings and advertisements as required. Do not assume a paper declaration alone provides every registration or authorisation you need.
Use the official public-service directory to find your Mairie.
What happens if I do not comply?
Missing registration, exceeding the applicable main-home rental limit or letting a property without required authorisation can result in penalties.
The consequences depend on the breach and the applicable rules. Ask your Mairie or a qualified local adviser if you are unsure whether your property can be advertised or how long it can be rented.
Where can I get help?
- Your Mairie: Ask about registration, the applicable annual limit and local permissions.
- Official French public-service guidance: Review the main-home or second-home guidance linked above.
- Host Support: For help with your Travelnest account or entering property registration information, contact Host Support.
Travelnest can help with account information, but cannot confirm that your property meets every legal requirement.