In Nice, every owner renting a furnished tourist accommodation must display a 13-character registration number on their listings. The process has two steps. First, obtain the change-of-use authorisation if you are renting a secondary residence. Then, declare your property to the tourist tax authority to receive this number.
Primary or secondary residence: two different paths in Nice
The first question concerns the status of your property. The procedures differ depending on whether you are renting your primary residence or a secondary property. Nice applies stricter rules than the national framework.
| Criterion | Primary residence | Secondary residence |
|---|---|---|
| Change-of-use authorisation | Not required (under 90 nights/year) | Mandatory |
| Night cap | 90 nights per year | No annual cap (3-year authorisation) |
| Duration of authorisation | Not applicable | 3 years, non-renewable |
| Registration number | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Quota zones | Not concerned | Yes, 4 zones |
To understand national procedures, read our article Airbnb registration number: city hall procedures.
Documents required for your file in Nice in 2026
Here is the complete list of documents to include for a first application as a private individual.
- Application form — completed (available at changementdusage.fr/nice).
- Title deed — and most recent property tax notice.
- Identity document — copy for the owner.
- Tax assessment notice — most recent.
- Valid DPE — less than 10 years old, rated A to E.
- Statutory declaration — confirming that no member of the tax household holds another authorisation.
- Co-owners' agreement — if the property is held in joint ownership.
- Compliance declaration — with the co-ownership regulations.
An incomplete file will not be processed. Check every document before submitting.
Get your energy performance certificate (DPE) done before putting your file together. It is often the document that takes the longest to obtain. Allow between 100 € and 250 € depending on the size of the property.
The 4 quota zones in Nice in 2026
In Nice, 4 districts are subject to an annual quota system. The total number of authorisations is capped at 671 per year.
| Zone | Annual authorisations |
|---|---|
| Vieux-Nice | 38 |
| Riquier, Port, Mont Boron | 277 |
| Centre-Ville | 298 |
| Ouest | 108 |
| Total | 671 |
Applications for these zones are only accepted online, during the month of February.
Quota suspension: the situation as of 30 April 2026
The submission of applications in the 4 quota zones has been suspended since 1 February 2026. The Metropole took this decision following legal challenges filed by professional associations. These challenges contest the regulation adopted on 5 December 2025.
The procedure is awaiting a ruling from the Conseil d'Etat (France's highest administrative court). No application is accepted before 30 April 2026 in the Vieux-Nice, Riquier-Port-Mont Boron, Centre-Ville and Ouest zones.
This suspension creates uncertainty for owners in regulated zones. Authorisations already granted remain valid. Only new applications are blocked.
Applications outside quota zones are not affected by this suspension.
If your property is in a quota zone, prepare your file right now. As soon as submissions reopen, places will go fast. A complete file on the day maximises your chances of obtaining an authorisation.
Mandatory energy performance certificate (DPE) to rent as a furnished tourist accommodation in Nice
The energy performance certificate (DPE) is a mandatory condition to obtain your authorisation. Here are the criteria to meet.
- Minimum rating in 2026 — A to E.
- Minimum rating from 2034 — A to D.
- Validity — less than 10 years at the time of submission.
- F or G rated properties — excluded from tourist rental.
- Average cost — between 100 € and 250 € depending on the size.
If your DPE is old or unfavourable, have it renewed before submitting your file. Insulation work can improve your rating.
Airbnb registration number in Nice: the final step
The next step applies to all owners, whether primary or secondary residence. You must declare your property to the tourist tax authority in Nice to obtain your number.
-
01
Go to the tourist tax portal
Access the Metropole Nice Cote d'Azur portal.
-
02
Create your host account
Enter your personal details and information about the property.
-
03
Validate your declaration
A 13-character registration number is assigned to you automatically.
-
04
Display this number on all your listings
Airbnb, Booking, Abritel and any other booking platform.
This number is separate from the change-of-use authorisation. Both procedures are complementary and essential.
Without this number, your listings may be removed by platforms. Airbnb checks for the presence of the registration number and may block the publication of your listing.
A question about your project?
Talk directly with your local Vesna agent. Available, responsive, no commitment.
Airbnb fines in Nice: the risks in 2026
Nice applies financial penalties for non-compliance. Here are the fines provided for by law.
| Offence | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| No registration number | 5,000 € per furnished property |
| Exceeding 90 nights (primary residence) | 10,000 € |
| Renting without change-of-use authorisation | 50,000 € per property |
| False declaration | 80,000 € and 1 year imprisonment |
| Failure to regularise after formal notice | 1,000 € per day per m² |
The city hall has been conducting active checks since 2025. Platforms are required to transmit rental data to the municipality.
For a full understanding of your tax obligations, read our guide on the tourist tax in Nice.
Mixed rental: an alternative in Nice
Nice offers a mixed rental scheme for secondary residences. The principle is straightforward. You rent to a student during the academic year at a capped rent. In summer, you switch to tourist rental for 3 months.
To benefit from this scheme, the student rent must respect a cap set by the Metropole. The owner commits to renting to a student from September to June. Tourist rental is permitted from July to September only.
This scheme avoids the compensation procedure. The authorisation is renewed every year. It is an interesting option for owners located in quota zones.
Mixed rental is a little-known but effective solution. If your property is close to a campus or a student hub, explore this option. You generate income from your property all year round, without compensation.
Useful contacts for your procedures in Nice
- Change-of-use department — 04 89 98 10 50 (Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30 to 12:00).
- Change-of-use email — changement.usage@ville-nice.fr
- Online platform — changementdusage.fr/nice
- Tourist tax department — 04 97 13 43 64 (Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 to 11:30).
- Tourist tax email — taxedesejour@nicecotedazur.org
- In-person reception — 5 rue Gabriel Faure, 5th floor, 06364 Nice Cedex 4.
Online procedures are preferred. They speed up the processing of your file.
Obtaining your registration number in Nice requires diligence. The procedure differs depending on the status of your property. Prepare your file well in advance and respect the deadlines to avoid any blockage. The city tightens its checks and requirements every year. Acting ahead of time protects you from fines that can reach 50,000 €. If you prefer to delegate this administrative process, our Airbnb concierge service in Nice supports owners from start to finish.
- 1.Renting a property as a furnished tourist accommodation in Nice — Metropole Nice Cote d'Azur, 2026.
- 2.Furnished tourist accommodations — Metropole Nice Cote d'Azur, 2026.
- 3.Declaring a furnished tourist accommodation to the city hall — Service-public.fr, 2026.
- 4.FAQ Change of use in Nice — Metropole Nice Cote d'Azur, 2026.
Read also
