| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — registration as Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business (외국인관광도시민박업) under Tourism Promotion Act, or rural/hanok equivalents |
| Tax Rate | Income tax plus VAT depending on income and registration status |
| Night / Day Cap | No fixed annual day cap; legal framework restricts guest eligibility instead |
| Minimum Stay | No national minimum for licensed homestays; ~30 days for unlicensed residential rentals |
| Penalties | Fines up to KRW 10,000,000 for owners; tenant eviction; possible visa complications for foreigners |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes — host generally must reside in the property |
| Occupancy Limit | Property must be under 230 m² |
Short-term rentals in Nationwide are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — registration as Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business (외국인관광도시민박업) under Tourism Promotion Act, or rural/hanok equivalents.
Short-term rental operators in Nationwide should be aware of these tax obligations: Income tax plus VAT depending on income and registration status. Yes — business registration certificate required; mandatory on Airbnb since Oct 2024 (existing listings by Oct 16, 2025).
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Nationwide include: Primary residence requirement: Yes — host generally must reside in the property. Rental day cap: No fixed annual day cap; legal framework restricts guest eligibility instead. Occupancy limit: Property must be under 230 m². Minimum stay: No national minimum for licensed homestays; ~30 days for unlicensed residential rentals.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Nationwide: Only residential property types allowed (single/multi-family homes, apartments, townhouses); officetels and goshiwons banned in all areas. Insurance: Recommended, not mandated.
Hosts who fail to comply with Nationwide's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to KRW 10,000,000 for owners; tenant eviction; possible visa complications for foreigners.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Nationwide: Platforms must collect accommodation license info; ~30,000 unlicensed listings (incl. officetels) being delisted from Oct 2025.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Nationwide but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Standard urban homestay business legally serves only FOREIGN tourists — hosting Korean nationals is otherwise illegal except via licensed pilot platforms (e.g., Wehome regulatory sandbox); fire-safety
Yes. Nationwide requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — registration as Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business (외국인관광도시민박업) under Tourism Promotion Act, or rural/hanok equivalents.
Short-term rental hosts in Nationwide are subject to the following tax obligations: Income tax plus VAT depending on income and registration status.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Nationwide may face enforcement. Fines up to KRW 10,000,000 for owners; tenant eviction; possible visa complications for foreigners.
No single nationwide STR statute; governed by Tourism Promotion Act, Building Act, Residence Act; gov't considering legalizing domestic home-sharing
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