Airbnb rentals in France are governed by two main laws: the ELAN law (2018) and the Le Meur law (2024). Since January 2025, the rules have tightened. Mandatory registration, EPC, night caps, expanded powers for mayors. Here is what you need to know to rent in compliance in 2026.
ELAN law and Le Meur law: the two texts that govern Airbnb
Two laws shape Airbnb regulation in France. They complement each other and apply simultaneously.
| Criterion | ELAN law (2018) | Le Meur law (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 23 November 2018 | 19 November 2024 |
| Objective | Govern the rental of primary residences | Strengthen local regulation of furnished tourist accommodation |
| Flagship measure | 90-day/year cap | Generalised registration, EPC, powers for mayors |
| Scope | Municipalities with a registration procedure | All French municipalities |
The ELAN law laid the foundations. The Le Meur law strengthens oversight and gives new tools to local authorities.
ELAN law: 90 days per year, the rule for primary residences
This is the maximum tourist rental period allowed for a primary residence in France.
This cap applies per calendar year.
Your primary residence is the home where you live at least 8 months per year.
Airbnb automatically blocks bookings beyond this threshold in 18 French cities. Among them: Paris, Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, Annecy, Lille, Menton and Versailles.
In other municipalities that have set up registration, the block applies as well.
Les villes concernées, département par département
Survolez (ou touchez) un département coloré pour afficher les villes concernées.
- Paris
- Lyon
- Bordeaux
- Nice
- Lille
- Nîmes
- Aix-en-Provence
- Versailles
- Annecy
- Sète
- Menton
- Neuilly-sur-Seine
- Levallois-Perret
- Villeneuve-Loubet
- Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
- Martigues
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence
- Saint-Cannat
Renting on the Côte d'Azur? See the detailed rules in Nice and its neighbouring municipalities.
If you exceed the limit, you risk a fine of €10,000.
Le Meur law 2024: the 5 key measures for owners
Law no. 2024-1039 of 19 November 2024 introduces five major changes. Here are the essential points.
Generalised registration. By 20 May 2026, every furnished tourist rental must be declared through a national online service. A 13-character number will be assigned to each home.
To learn about the procedures, read our article Airbnb registration number: town hall procedures.
Mandatory EPC. New furnished rentals in high-demand areas must show an EPC rated A to E. Homes rated G are already banned in high-demand areas since January 2025. F ratings will be excluded from 2028.
To find out more, read our article EPC and seasonal rentals: is it mandatory?
Regulated change of use. Municipalities in high-demand areas have new levers to regulate the rental of second homes.
Co-ownership. The co-ownership rules can be amended by a double majority to ban furnished tourist rentals. The two-thirds majority rule replaces unanimity.
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Second homes: change of use in high-demand areas
If you own a second home, the rules are different. In municipalities with more than 200,000 inhabitants, a change-of-use authorisation is mandatory. This requirement extends to cities of more than 50,000 inhabitants located in high-demand areas.
Each city sets its own conditions. Some require compensation: converting commercial premises into housing for every m² converted.
Before investing in a property intended for tourist rental, check the municipality's change-of-use rules. Some cities block new authorisations in the most tourist-heavy districts.
Mandatory EPC: the timeline for furnished tourist rentals
Energy performance is becoming an access criterion for tourist rentals. Here are the stages of the timeline.
-
01
21 November 2024
EPC mandatory for any new furnished rental in a high-demand area. A to E rating required.
-
02
1 January 2025
Homes rated G can no longer be rented as furnished tourist accommodation in high-demand areas.
-
03
1 January 2028
Ban extended to homes rated F in high-demand areas.
-
04
1 January 2034
Only homes rated A to D will be allowed, in all areas.
-
05
Fine
Up to €5,000 for a missing or non-compliant EPC. A daily penalty of €100 per day is possible.
The EPC must be less than 10 years old. Its cost ranges between €100 and €250 depending on the surface area.
If your home is rated E, plan energy renovation work ahead. In 2034, this rating will no longer be enough. Insulating the attic or changing the heating system can move your property up to a D.
Airbnb fines and penalties in 2026
Financial penalties have been strengthened by the Le Meur law. Here are the applicable fines.
| Offence | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Failure to register the furnished rental | €10,000 |
| False statement during registration | €20,000 |
| Exceeding the 120/90-day limit | €15,000 |
| Renting without change-of-use authorisation | €50,000 per home |
| Missing or non-compliant EPC | €5,000 |
| Failure to regularise after formal notice | €1,000 per day and per m² |
Platforms are required to transmit rental data to municipalities. Failure to comply with this obligation exposes the platform to a fine of €50,000 per listing.
These fines are handed down by the president of the judicial court, at the request of the municipality. Owners in breach also face an obligation to restore the home to its original state.
To understand the tax impact of these rules, read our guide on Airbnb taxation.
The complete timeline of the new Airbnb rules
Here are the key dates to remember, from the adoption of the law to its full effect.
-
01
19 November 2024
Enactment of the Le Meur law (no. 2024-1039).
-
02
21 November 2024
EPC mandatory for new furnished rentals in high-demand areas.
-
03
1 January 2025
New tax regime applicable (modified micro-BIC). Municipalities can lower the cap to 90 days.
-
04
20 May 2026
Deadline for the generalisation of the national registration online service.
-
05
1 January 2028
Ban on homes rated F in high-demand areas.
-
06
1 January 2034
Only homes rated A to D may be rented as furnished tourist accommodation.
Note these dates in your calendar. Every missed deadline can lead to penalties. Our Airbnb concierge service in Nice supports owners on the Côte d'Azur in tracking these regulatory changes.
Frequently asked questions
- 1.Law no. 2024-1039 of 19 November 2024 (Le Meur law) — Légifrance, November 2024.
- 2.Law of 19 November 2024 on rental market imbalances — Vie-publique.fr, November 2024.
- 3.Tourist rentals: new rules in 2025 — Service-public.fr, 2025.
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