Fines for unclassified short-term rentals in Romania in 2026: the real risks and how to avoid them

In 2026 the risk of running a short-term rental (regim hotelier) in Romania without proper paperwork is no longer theoretical. The classification procedure has changed, the tax authority (ANAF) receives income data from platforms, the consumer protection authority (ANPC) ran intensive checks on the coast, and Airbnb is checking listings in buildings with seismic risk. Here is which penalties apply, who carries out the checks and how to put your activity in order, step by step.

Penalties at a glance

The risks do not come from a single direction. The table below brings together the main situations, their legal basis and the consequences.

The fine for operating unclassified: 40,000–50,000 lei

Government Decision No. 1267/2010 on the issuing of classification certificates, tourism licences and tourism certificates sets, in Art. 16(1)(a), a fine of 40,000 to 50,000 lei for the offences listed in Art. 15(a). In essence, these are operating without a classification certificate, operating with an expired certificate and using a room layout that differs from the one in the certificate. Checks are carried out by the tourism inspectors of the competent ministry.

For scale, the minimum fine is comparable to a full year's gross revenue of an average listing in Constanța (€8,980) or Timișoara (€8,220), according to Crosspoint Research. The last situation on the list is often overlooked: if you turn the living room into a bedroom or add a room, the layout no longer matches the certificate and must be updated.

The new classification procedure and sworn statements

Since 8 July 2026, classification follows Ministry Order (MEDAT) No. 948/2026, with online submission on the dedicated SE.SITUR platform or at the ministry's headquarters. Individuals may classify at most 7 rooms and 14 places, regardless of how many homes they are in; above that threshold you need a sole-trader registration (PFA), an individual or family business, or a company. The file includes the owners' association approval and, where applicable, the consent of directly affected neighbours; the details are in our guide to Order 948/2026.

The part with the greatest legal weight is the sworn statement. The individual declares that they have submitted the consents of all owners with whom they share walls, listing their apartment numbers, or, if no legally constituted association exists, declares that fact. Both statements refer to Article 326 of the Criminal Code (false statements), which provides for imprisonment from 3 months to 2 years or a fine. A signature given in a hurry can cost far more than an administrative fine.

Seismic risk: fines and listing removal

Law No. 212/2022, as amended by Law No. 426/2023, bans renting out space in buildings rated seismic risk class I. According to Profit.ro, fines can reach 10,000 lei, and Airbnb is checking listings: notified owners have 14 days to prove that the building is not rated class I. Even if you hold a classification certificate, renting in an RsI building remains banned, so the seismic check comes before any file. The steps are in our red-dot guide.

ANAF and DAC7: undeclared income becomes visible

Platforms report hosts' income to tax authorities every year under the DAC7 rules, explained in our DAC7 guide. In April 2026, ANAF president Adrian Nica said at a tax seminar organised by the Chamber of Tax Consultants that, in a single county and in a single year, about 60,000 individuals with undeclared Airbnb income had been identified. A few days later he explained that ANAF would first send notifications asking taxpayers to remember what they had not declared, and would then issue assessments.

If you have undeclared income from previous years, talk to an accountant about regularising your situation before you receive a notification. For the current year, the calculation of the 10% tax and the health contribution (CASS) is explained in our 2026 tax guide, and the digital obligations (e-Factura, SPV, DAC7) in our guide to digital reporting. Do not forget the accommodation occupancy sheet (OPANAF 381/2026), which you must complete and keep for each room.

ANPC: the summer 2026 inspections

Romania's National Authority for Consumer Protection ran the “A.N.P.C. Estival 2026” operation on the coast. According to Bursa, inspectors imposed fines of more than one million lei in a single week in July, with 197 sanctions. On 28 July Euronews reported fines of almost 3 million lei on the coast and the suspension of some hotels, beaches and pools; the offences included services provided in unauthorised spaces. On 3 August ANPC announced further fines of 1.44 million lei imposed in a single week.

For hosts, the lesson concerns information: ANPC sanctioned the failure to inform guests correctly, completely and precisely about accommodation services, facilities and prices. An accurate listing, clear prices and a house guide with useful information are minimum requirements, not marketing details.

Platforms: losing the listing can cost more than the fine

Airbnb explains to hosts in Romania that they must register their listing for tourism classification under Order 948/2026 and display the classification certificate in the main hall and in the kitchen. The platform does not classify you or file your returns, but it can remove non-compliant listings, as it announced for RsI buildings. For many hosts, losing the listing, its reviews and future bookings hurts more than a fine.

How to become compliant: a 6-step plan

1. Check the building. Request a land register (carte funciară) extract and confirm that the building is not rated seismic risk class I.
2. Count your rooms. As an individual you can classify at most 7 rooms and 14 places in total; above that, choose a business form (PFA, individual or family business, or company).
3. Prepare the file carefully. The association approval, the neighbours' consents and the statements must be genuine and complete; check every apartment number before you sign.
4. Submit the file and track the deadlines. Fix minor deficiencies within 15 working days at most, so that your file is not archived.
5. Get your taxes in order. Declare your income on form D212 by 25 May, keep the income section of the tax register and complete the occupancy sheet.
6. Display the certificate and inform guests correctly. Prices, services and house rules must be clear and identical to what the listing says.

Common mistakes

• “I have few bookings, so it does not matter.” The fine for operating unclassified does not depend on the number of nights rented.
• Changing the room layout without updating the certificate. A layout that differs from the certificate falls into the same penalty category.
• Signing statements without checking the consents. False statements have criminal consequences.
• Moving bookings to direct channels to avoid platforms. Classification and tax obligations stay the same, whatever the channel.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the fine for a short-term rental without a classification certificate?

Between 40,000 and 50,000 lei, under Art. 16(1)(a) of Government Decision No. 1267/2010. The same fine applies to an expired certificate or to a room layout that differs from the certificate.

Who checks whether I have a certificate?

The ministry's tourism inspectors check classification. ANAF checks the tax side, including on the basis of DAC7 data, and ANPC checks how guests are informed. Separately, platforms can request documents and remove listings.

What happens if my classification file is incomplete?

For minor deficiencies found during inspection you have at most 15 working days to fix them. If the documentation remains incomplete, the file is archived 3 months after notification and you have to start again.

Can ANAF find out about my Airbnb or Booking income?

Yes. Platforms report hosts' income through the DAC7 mechanism, and the ANAF president has announced that the authority will first send notifications and then issue assessments.