Holiday & Self Catering Accommodation

Competent Authority

Fáilte Ireland is the Competent Authority for the registration of holiday accommodation in Ireland.

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, any tourism business under the guise of a holiday apartment or holiday cottage must be registered with Fáilte Ireland.

In order to be registered as a holiday apartment or cottage, you must have one reception building located on the same site as your accommodation, and these should all operate under the same management. 
All units must contain sleeping, dining and lounge accommodation, as well as storage space, a toilet, and bathing and cooking facilities.
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 on the Fáilte Ireland website, here.

Application Process

The first step is the completion of a self-assessment via the Fáilte Ireland Trade Portal. Applications and self-assessments may only be completed online. Once a minimum standard is met, an assessment visit will be scheduled.

The self-assessment can be completed in multiple sessions, as previous responses are saved within the portal. However, once the self-assessment is submitted it cannot be amended and a provisional rating is provided to the business by email shortly after completion. This provisional rating is included in the discussion as part of the on-site assessment conducted by a Fáilte Ireland Quality Assurance Assessors.

Guidelines on completing the self-assessment can be found below:

Holiday Apartments

Find out how to complete the self-assessment as an approved Holiday Apartment, i.e. formally 1- and 2-star Holiday Apartment [pdf, 1mb]

Find out how to complete the self-assessment as a Holiday Apartment with classification [pdf, 1.6mb]

Holiday Cottages

Find out how to complete the self-assessment as an approved Holiday Cottage, i.e. formally 1- and 2-star Holiday Cottage [pdf, 1.6mb]

Find out how to complete the self-assessment as a Holiday Cottage with classification [pdf, 1.6mb]

 

Appeals

Fáilte Ireland provide a summarised view of regulations and requirements under the Tourist Traffic Acts and provides a complete direction to the requirements of the Acts in this regard.

If an applicant can meet all the requirements of Regulation (which are outlined in the details provided by the link above), there should be no expected issue with registration. If an applicant cannot meet all of the requirements of Regulation then the Application cannot progress.

Further Information

Fáilte Ireland - Registration of holiday apartments and cottages

Fáilte Ireland - Self Catering Accommodation home page

Health & Safety guide for catering and hospitality (external)

Starting a food service business

Contact Details

Email: customersupport@failteireland.ie 

Telephone: +353 1 884 7101 or 1800 242473

 

The above is for general information purposes only. Queries regarding Holiday apartments and cottages can be directed to Fáilte Ireland.