| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business or Hanokstay registration with district office |
| Tax Rate | Income tax plus VAT; accommodation tax may apply |
| Night / Day Cap | No fixed annual day cap |
| Minimum Stay | No national minimum for licensed homestays |
| Permit Fee | Signboard support up to KRW 100,000 offered; fee details Unknown |
| Penalties | National penalties apply (fines up to KRW 10,000,000) |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes — owner-occupancy required |
| Occupancy Limit | Property must be under 230 m² |
Short-term rentals in Seoul 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 — Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business or Hanokstay registration with district office. The associated permit fees are Signboard support up to KRW 100,000 offered; fee details Unknown.
Short-term rental operators in Seoul should be aware of these tax obligations: Income tax plus VAT; accommodation tax may apply. Yes — business registration required.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Seoul include: Primary residence requirement: Yes — owner-occupancy required. Rental day cap: No fixed annual day cap. Occupancy limit: Property must be under 230 m². Minimum stay: No national minimum for licensed homestays.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Seoul: Residential housing only; officetels excluded. Insurance: Recommended.
Hosts who fail to comply with Seoul's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. National penalties apply (fines up to KRW 10,000,000).
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Seoul: License submission required; ~20% of ~23,591 listings licensed as of July 2025 — weak enforcement historically.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Seoul but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Hanokstay (traditional Korean house) businesses open to both Koreans and foreigners; Wehome regulatory sandbox allows legal domestic home-sharing in Seoul/Busan
Yes. Seoul requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — Foreign Tourist Urban Homestay Business or Hanokstay registration with district office.
Short-term rental hosts in Seoul are subject to the following tax obligations: Income tax plus VAT; accommodation tax may apply.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Seoul may face enforcement. National penalties apply (fines up to KRW 10,000,000).
Largest STR market in Korea; city actively promoted homestay/hanokstay programs
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