Statutory accommodation requirements

This page outlines each accommodation type, with definitions, criteria and resources to help you meet your statutory requirements. Use the table of contents to jump directly to the accommodation type that applies to you.

Hotel

Definition: 

• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a hotel must be registered with Fáilte Ireland. 

Registration regulations: 

• View Hotel regulations (PDF)

Classification criteria:  

• Following on from the Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016, the hotel classification criteria has been revised as prescribed under Section 39 of the Tourist Traffic Act. 
• In order to comply with the Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016, hotels must attain, at a minimum, the registered approved minimum entry-level requirements. If a hotel wishes to be classified from 2 Star to 5 Star, then it must meet each of the criteria relevant to that classification. 
• View Hotel Classification (PDF)
• View Hotel Classification FAQ (PDF)

Guesthouse

Definition: 

• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a guesthouse must be registered with Fáilte Ireland. 
   
  In order to become registered as a guesthouse, your business should have a minimum of seven guest bedrooms with private en-suite bathrooms, and no more than 30 guest bedrooms also with private bathrooms. Breakfast must be provided. 
   
  Get quality assured and find out more about the minimum regulations for your tourism business, as well as the classification requirements to achieve a star rating. 

Registration regulations: 

• View Guesthouse Regulations (PDF)

Classification criteria: 

• View Guesthouse Classification (PDF) 

Hostel (holiday and youth)

Definition: 

• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a holiday hostel or youth hostel must be registered with Fáilte Ireland. 
• Holiday hostel: In order to become registered as a holiday hostel, your business must be under the direct management of the owner or allocated manager of the hostel. There should be space for a minimum of 20 guests on the premises, and facilities should include sleeping, dining and lounge accommodation, as well as toilets, bathing facilities and either a serviced or a self-catering kitchen. 
• Youth hostel: In order to become registered as a youth hostel, your business must be under the direct management and control of a non-profit organisation or association whose primary object is the provision and management of youth hostels. There should be space for a minimum of 20 guests, and the premises must contain sleeping, dining and lounge accommodation, as well a toilet, bathing facilities and either a serviced or self catering kitchen. 

Registration regulations: 

• View Hostel regulations (PDF)

Caravan and camping park

Definition: 

• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a caravan or camping park must be registered with Fáilte Ireland. In order to register as a caravan and camping park, your business must comply with the current regulations. 
• The classification criteria for caravan and camping parks focus on the quality of service and hospitality offered, as well as acknowledging additional facilities, rather than purely based on a rigid set of physical attributes and the extent of facilities. 
• If a caravan and camping park wishes to be classified from 3 Star to 5 Star, then it must meet each of the criteria relevant to that classification. 

Registration regulations: 

• View regulations (PDF)

Classification criteria:  

• The Classification for caravan and camping parks is designed to address, assess and reward the guest experience provided by accommodation businesses. Based on the framework of the already successful Welcome Standard, it rewards businesses that are going the extra mile and recognises the extra effort. It differentiates between the quality of service and hospitality offered as well as acknowledging additional facilities. 
• Its focus is on the fundamental components of the guest experience – service, hospitality, the quality of accommodation facilities, and food if provided. It was developed in conjunction with existing operators, ensuring that the approach works for both accommodation businesses and visitors alike. 

Holiday camp

Definition: 

• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a holiday camp must be registered with Fáilte Ireland.
• In order to register as a holiday camp, your business should provide sporting and recreational facilities, and the accommodation must consist of either a block of separate serviced bedrooms, self catering houses or self catering apartments. 

Registration regulations:

• View Holiday camp regulations (PDF)

Registered self-catering

Definition: 

• Self-catering accommodation is a property let as a whole unit, such as a holiday home, apartment or cottage with its own cooking facilities. 
• If you use a prescribed self-catering term, you must register with Fáilte Ireland by law and meet statutory requirements, including planning, fire safety and other regulatory obligations. 
• Under the Tourist Traffic Acts, any tourism business calling itself a holiday apartment or holiday cottage must be registered with Fáilte Ireland. In order to be registered as a holiday apartment or cottage, all units must contain sleeping, dining and lounge accommodation, as well as storage space, a toilet, and bathing and cooking facilities. All accommodation on the site should operate under the same management. 
• Non-statutory self-catering properties are now approved as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Welcome Standard. 

Registration regulations:    

• View regulations (PDF)

Classification criteria:   

• All self-catering properties within a registered group framework are required to meet all of the regulation requirements under the Tourist Traffic Acts. Details for holiday cottages and holiday apartments are available below. 
• The Classification for holiday apartments and holiday cottages is designed to address, assess and reward the guest experience provided by accommodation businesses. Based on the framework of the already successful Welcome Standard, it rewards businesses that are going the extra mile and recognises the extra effort. It differentiates between the quality of service and hospitality offered as well as acknowledging additional facilities.
• Its focus is on the fundamental components of the guest experience – service, hospitality, the quality of accommodation facilities, and food if provided. It was developed in conjunction with existing operators, ensuring that the approach works for both accommodation businesses and visitors alike.