Munich authorities have already expressed support for the new regulation; however, they emphasize that in its current form, the legislative initiative still contains significant gaps requiring refinement.
Munich — Anyone planning in the future to offer living space through popular online services and classified portals as short-term rental housing will be obliged to undergo a preliminary registration procedure. The Bavarian Landtag approved the corresponding amendments to the law on the prohibition of misappropriation of housing on March 19, 2026. These changes, based on the norms of the European Union regulation, will enter into legal force as early as April 1, 2026. The Munich administration, which has long advocated for tighter control in this area, welcomes the emergence of new tools but insists that the measures taken are insufficient to fully restore order in the overheated housing market.
Registration obligation takes effect: Bavaria mandates Munich landlords to register
Third Mayor Verena Dietl (SPD) explained in her commentary that municipal authorities have consistently demanded the implementation of such a mechanism from the leadership of the Free State for many years. In particular, Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) repeatedly brought this issue up for discussion, arguing the need for change to protect the interests of citizens. It is expected that mandatory registration will radically simplify the process of identifying and prosecuting cases of illegal use of apartments. Relevant departments will now have detailed information about every property rented out for short-term stays, making the gray market as transparent as possible.
Despite general optimism, Dietl sharply criticized a certain leniency in the new law. In the city leadership’s opinion, the rules should have been significantly stricter. For example, the existing eight-week rental period that does not require special permission should have been restricted exclusively to housing where the owner personally resides. The fact that the Bavarian government did not provide for the creation of a statewide IT platform for registration was also called a serious oversight. This creates additional difficulties not only for metropolises like Munich but also for small communities lacking the resources to develop their own software solutions.
City Council must adapt misappropriation statute before procedure begins
An important clarification for residents of the Bavarian capital: the registration procedure will not launch automatically in Munich on April 1. For the new regional norms to take effect at the local level, the City Council must amend the municipal statute on the misappropriation of housing.
Work on updating the regulatory framework is already underway in operational mode. The Department of Social Development has undertaken the obligation to inform citizens in advance about the exact launch dates of the system, as well as to provide step-by-step instructions and explanations of all registration stages. Authorities urge landlords to closely follow official announcements to bring their activities into compliance with the updated legislation in a timely manner.Source: Munich City Administration
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