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Montevideo

Uruguay
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-08  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-08  ·  Region: International

At a Glance — Montevideo Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes – registration with the Ministry of Tourism (Ministerio de Turismo) is required under Law 20.352 (enacted 27 September 2024) for all operators off
Tax RateResidents: IRPF on rental income (progressive, Category I capital income or Category II commercial income depending on services offered). Non-resident
Night / Day CapNone at national or Montevideo municipal level. Law 20.352 defines its scope as stays of up to 120 days (qualifying threshold for tourist lodging regi
Minimum StayNo statutory minimum stay for STRs at national or Montevideo level. Market-driven: Montevideo hosts commonly accept 1–3 night bookings year-round.
Permit FeeUnknown – specific Ministry of Tourism registration fee schedule not yet published as the implementing decree is still in draft form as of July 2026.
PenaltiesLaw 20.352 provides for fines and potential platform delisting of non-compliant listings. Specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms are to b
Primary Residence RequiredNo – Uruguay does not require operators to reside in the property. Secondary homes are routinely listed, and foreign non-residents may operate STRs th
Occupancy LimitNo specific national STR occupancy limit set. Montevideo municipal rules for 'casas de inquilinato' specify a minimum of 4 m² per person per room; ind
Browse all 3 STR regulations in Uruguay →

Montevideo Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Montevideo Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Montevideo are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes – registration with the Ministry of Tourism (Ministerio de Turismo) is required under Law 20.352 (enacted 27 September 2024) for all operators offering tourist lodging for stays under 120 days. Ea. The associated permit fees are Unknown – specific Ministry of Tourism registration fee schedule not yet published as the implementi.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Montevideo

Short-term rental operators in Montevideo should be aware of these tax obligations: Residents: IRPF on rental income (progressive, Category I capital income or Category II commercial income depending on services offered). Non-residents: flat 12% IRNR withheld at source. IVA may apply for short stays with additional services. IVA exe. Yes – operators must register with the Dirección General Impositiva (DGI). Resident individuals pay IRPF (personal income tax) on rental income; non-r.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Montevideo

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Montevideo include: Primary residence requirement: No – Uruguay does not require operators to reside in the property. Secondary homes are routinely listed, and foreign non. Rental day cap: None at national or Montevideo municipal level. Law 20.352 defines its scope as stays of up to 120 days (qualifying thre. Occupancy limit: No specific national STR occupancy limit set. Montevideo municipal rules for 'casas de inquilinato' specify a minimum of. Minimum stay: No statutory minimum stay for STRs at national or Montevideo level. Market-driven: Montevideo hosts commonly accept 1–3 .

Zoning and Location Requirements in Montevideo

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Montevideo: No citywide STR zoning ban in Montevideo. However, individual building co-ownership rules (reglamentos de copropiedad) may restrict or prohibit STR activity; hosts are advised to verify their building. Density rules: None established at national or Montevideo municipal level specifically for STRs as of July 2026.. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated by law, but strongly advised. Operators are encouraged to hold insurance cov.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Montevideo

Hosts who fail to comply with Montevideo's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Law 20.352 provides for fines and potential platform delisting of non-compliant listings. Specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms are to be established in the implementing decree, which ha.

Platform Obligations in Montevideo

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Montevideo: Under the draft implementing decree for Law 20.352, platforms such as Airbnb and Booking must register with the Ministry of Tourism and will have a 180-day transition period to comply once the decree .

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes – registration with the Ministry of Tourism (Ministerio de Turismo) is required under Law 20.352 (enacted 27 September 2024) for all operators offering tourist lodging for stays under 120 days. Each registered operator receives a unique identification number that must be displayed on listings. As of mid-2026 the implementing decree (reglamento) is still pending final signature, currently under review by the Ministries of Interior, Economy (MEF), and Housing (MVOT). Full compliance enforcement had not yet commenced as of July 2026.
Tax Registration
Yes – operators must register with the Dirección General Impositiva (DGI). Resident individuals pay IRPF (personal income tax) on rental income; non-residents pay a flat 12% IRNR (Impuesto a la Renta de No Residentes). Short-stay activity may also attract IVA if deemed a commercial/services activity. Income must be declared and invoices issued.
Permit Fee
Unknown – specific Ministry of Tourism registration fee schedule not yet published as the implementing decree is still in draft form as of July 2026.
Primary Residence Rule
No – Uruguay does not require operators to reside in the property. Secondary homes are routinely listed, and foreign non-residents may operate STRs through local property managers.
Night / Day Cap
None at national or Montevideo municipal level. Law 20.352 defines its scope as stays of up to 120 days (qualifying threshold for tourist lodging registration), but this is a definitional threshold, not a cap on annual rental days.
Occupancy Limit
No specific national STR occupancy limit set. Montevideo municipal rules for 'casas de inquilinato' specify a minimum of 4 m² per person per room; individual building co-ownership regulations (reglamentos de copropiedad) may impose additional limits.
Tax Rate
Residents: IRPF on rental income (progressive, Category I capital income or Category II commercial income depending on services offered). Non-residents: flat 12% IRNR withheld at source. IVA may apply for short stays with additional services. IVA exemption for non-resident tourists is subject to specific conditions.
Zoning Restrictions
No citywide STR zoning ban in Montevideo. However, individual building co-ownership rules (reglamentos de copropiedad) may restrict or prohibit STR activity; hosts are advised to verify their building's rules before listing. Coastal and heritage-area zoning may impose additional constraints.
Minimum Stay
No statutory minimum stay for STRs at national or Montevideo level. Market-driven: Montevideo hosts commonly accept 1–3 night bookings year-round.
Density Rules
None established at national or Montevideo municipal level specifically for STRs as of July 2026.
Insurance Required
Not explicitly mandated by law, but strongly advised. Operators are encouraged to hold insurance covering property damage, theft, and guest accidents. Standard Airbnb platform coverage is partial; Uruguayan insurers now offer specific tourist-rental policies. Building co-ownership liability toward neighbours must also be considered.
Platform Obligations
Under the draft implementing decree for Law 20.352, platforms such as Airbnb and Booking must register with the Ministry of Tourism and will have a 180-day transition period to comply once the decree is signed. Platforms will only be permitted to publish listings that carry a valid Ministry of Tourism registration number.
Compliance Notes
Law 20.352 was enacted 19 September 2024 and published 27 September 2024. The implementing decree was delayed past its original end-2025 target and again past a first-half-2026 target; as of early July 2026 the draft is still under inter-ministerial review. The sector (CAMTUR, AHRU) is actively pressing for the decree to be signed. Until the decree is finalised, the registration system is not yet operationally mandatory, though the underlying law is in force. Operators managing more than one property must register as a 'tourist real-estate agency' (inmobiliaria turística) under the law.
Effective Date
Law 20.352: 19 September 2024. Implementing decree: pending as of 2026-07-08.
Key Notes
Uruguay has adopted a registration-and-reporting model rather than a nights-cap model. The 120-day threshold defines what qualifies as tourist lodging (not a rental ceiling). No primary-residence requirement. Foreign owners can operate legally. Tax obligations (IRPF/IRNR/IVA) are separate from and pre-date the Law 20.352 registration framework. Building co-ownership rules are a practical constraint that varies property by property in Montevideo.
Penalties
Law 20.352 provides for fines and potential platform delisting of non-compliant listings. Specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms are to be established in the implementing decree, which had not been published as of July 2026. Operating an unregistered listing may result in fines and removal from platforms once the decree is in force.
Additional Context
As of mid-2026 there were approximately 1,666–2,185 active Airbnb listings in the Montevideo Department, concentrated in Pocitos, Centro, Punta Carretas, Ciudad Vieja, and Cordón. Average occupancy runs 61–67% and average nightly rates approximately USD 55–59. The market is considered 'in transition' toward more formal compliance as the national framework matures. Uruguay was noted as joining the regulatory approach already applied in Spain, France, Portugal, and Argentina.
Sources
Law 20.352 (IMPO, 27 Sep 2024) – https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes-originales/20352-2024
Ministerio de Turismo official press release on draft decree (Nov 2025) – https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/comunicacion/noticias/ministerio-turismo-presento-proyecto-regulacion-vivienda-turistica
Ambito.com reporting on decree delay (Jul 2026) – https://www.ambito.com/uruguay/la-reglamentacion-la-ley-alquileres-turisticos-se-demora-y-el-sector-reclama-mayor-celeridad-n6295417
TheLatinvestor Uruguay STR guide (Jan 2026) – https://thelatinvestor.com/blogs/news/uruguay-buy-rent-out
TheLatinvestor Montevideo guide (Jan 2026) – https://thelatinvestor.com/blogs/news/montevideo-buy-rent-out
Fernandez Secco Law (Nov 2024) – https://fernandezsecco.com/en/2024/11/04/ley-20-352-un-nuevo-marco-para-el-alojamiento-turistico-en-uruguay/
Alda.com.uy STR normativa (Oct 2025) – https://www.alda.com.uy/blog/alquiler-temporario-y-normativa-airbnb-co-en-uruguay/
Piso Inmobiliario market analysis (May 2026) – https://www.pisoinmobiliario.com/blog-entry/340-rentabilidad-alquiler-temporario-vs-permanente-uruguay
Airbtics Montevideo data (Mar 2026) – https://airbtics.com/annual-airbnb-revenue-in-montevideo-uruguay/
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Montevideo?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Montevideo with proper registration and permits. Law 20.352 was enacted 19 September 2024 and published 27 September 2024. The implementing decree was delayed past its original end-2025 target and again past a first-half-2026 target; as of early Jul

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Montevideo?

Yes. Montevideo requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes – registration with the Ministry of Tourism (Ministerio de Turismo) is required under Law 20.352 (enacted 27 September 2024) for all operators offering tourist lodging for stays under 120 days. Each registered operator receives a unique identification number that must be displayed on listings. A.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Montevideo?

Short-term rental hosts in Montevideo are subject to the following tax obligations: Residents: IRPF on rental income (progressive, Category I capital income or Category II commercial income depending on services offered). Non-residents: flat 12% IRNR withheld at source. IVA may apply for short stays with additional services. IVA exemption for non-resident tourists is subject to spe.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Montevideo?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Montevideo may face enforcement. Law 20.352 provides for fines and potential platform delisting of non-compliant listings. Specific penalty amounts and enforcement mechanisms are to be established in the implementing decree, which had not been published as of July 2026. Operating an.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Montevideo?

Uruguay has adopted a registration-and-reporting model rather than a nights-cap model. The 120-day threshold defines what qualifies as tourist lodging (not a rental ceiling). No primary-residence requirement. Foreign owners can operate legally. Tax obligations (IRPF/IRNR/IVA) are separate from and pre-date the Law 20.352 registration framework. Building co-ownership rules are a practical constrain

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