National Airbnb rules2026 23 sources cited

Is Airbnb Legal in India? 2026 Rules, Permits & Taxes

Airbnb hosting is legal in India and rules are set by each state: Karnataka and Goa require homestay registration, GST is 5% up to INR 7,500 a night and 18% above, and Goa fines unregistered stays up to INR 1,00,000.3,4,8,9,16,17

Source: AirROI Reviewed by , Founder @ AirROI Rules checked

From 12 official sources, 9 Airbnb help pages and 2 news reports. Not legal advice.

The short answer

India Airbnb Rules in Brief

  • No national licence: the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India Homestay classification (Gold or Silver) is voluntary, and 18 states run their own homestay schemes.
  • Karnataka makes homestay registration compulsory (1 to 6 rooms, 12 beds). Goa requires registration before operating (INR 1,000 a year) and the number on the listing.
  • GST is 5% on stays up to INR 7,500 a night and 18% above, collected by Airbnb; hosts above INR 20 lakh turnover register for GST themselves.
  • Foreign guests must be reported through Form C, and housing-society or lease rules can bar hosting.

At a glance

India Airbnb Rules at a Glance

Registration required
Yes
Taxes on a stay
5%
Fine for hosting without a permit
Up to ₹100,000
Latest rule change
Aug 25, 2026

The rules in brief

The rules an India host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.

India Airbnb Rules at a Glance
TopicRule
PermitKarnataka: registration is compulsory7,8,16
Who can hostKarnataka: host lives on site8,16
WhereKarnataka: not a hotel16
Building rulesGoa: society consent for flats9
GuestsKarnataka: 6 rooms and 12 beds8
Listing displayGoa: number on the listing17
SafetyGoa: fire NOC from January 202617

Your home

Can You Host an Airbnb in India? It Depends on the Home

Whether you can host in India turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.

Rooms in your own home while you live there (homestay)

Allowed with conditions

Register with the state tourism department where a scheme exists: compulsory in Karnataka (1 to 6 rooms, 12 beds) and required in Goa before operating.8,9,16

A whole home you own but do not live in

Allowed with conditions

Karnataka's homestay category needs the owner or family on site, and Goa's B&B category needs a designated agent living there. In Gurugram a guest house needs DTCP permission and in Mumbai a BMC licence.8,9,19,20

A flat in a housing society or co-op

Allowed with conditions

Goa requires the society board's NOC before registration; elsewhere the society's bylaws and any subletting ban apply.9,13

A rented or leased home you sublet

Allowed with conditions

Karnataka does not let a rented, leased or sub-let residence register as a homestay. Goa accepts a lease only with the owner's notarised NOC, and the lease terms must allow hosting.8,9,13

A guest house or lodging house in Delhi

Allowed with conditions

A Delhi Police licence is needed for lodging houses, boarding houses and residential hostels; B&B registration under the 2007 Act is recommended.18

Permit

Do You Need a Permit for Airbnb in India?

Yes. Short-term rental hosts in India need the State homestay or bed-and-breakfast registration from State tourism department, for example the Karnataka Department of Tourism or the Goa Department of Tourism. It costs ₹1,000.3,4,8,9,16,17

Who needs it
Hosts letting rooms or homes to tourists in a state that runs a registration scheme. Karnataka and Goa require it; Delhi recommends registration under its 2007 B&B Act; the Ministry of Tourism's national classification is voluntary.3,4,8,9,16,17
Issued by
State tourism department, for example the Karnataka Department of Tourism or the Goa Department of Tourism
Valid for
Karnataka registration is valid for five years from the date of the certificate. Goa certifies for one year first, then renews under the Department's process.
Processing
Karnataka: 45 working days, after which approval is deemed granted. Goa: about 90 days according to the Department.
Platform checks
Goa requires the registration number in the listing, and Airbnb provides a field for it and may be directed to remove non-compliant listings. No national number exists for Airbnb to verify.

Fees

Fees
FeeAmount
Goa annual registration fee (homestay and B&B)Goa's Homestay and B&B Policy sets an annual registration fee of INR 1,000, which the Department of Tourism may revise.₹1,000

Who qualifies

  • Karnataka homestay: a privately owned residence where the owner or immediate family lives, with 1 to 6 lettable rooms and no more than 12 beds.
  • Goa homestay or B&B: a residential unit with up to 6 lettable rooms (12 beds); a B&B has an agent or operator living on site instead of the owner.
  • Flats in a cooperative housing society or gated complex in Goa need a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the society's board.
  • A premises registered as a hotel or similar commercial establishment cannot register as a Karnataka homestay.

How to apply

  1. Check which scheme applies in your state: Karnataka Department of Tourism (online application portal) or Goa Department of Tourism (Goa Online portal, Form XXIII).
  2. Gather the documents: proof of identity, ownership or house-tax receipt (or a lease with the owner's notarised NOC), and in Goa the fire NOC and any housing-society NOC.
  3. Submit the application and pay the fee online.
  4. Wait for inspection and approval, then show the registration certificate or number as the state requires.

Permit rules

National classification is voluntary
The Ministry of Tourism classifies homestay rooms as Gold or Silver under a voluntary scheme and gives no financial assistance under it.3
Karnataka: registration is compulsory
Homestays in Karnataka must register with the state Department of Tourism under the Revised Guidelines 2025.7,8,16 Applies to: Karnataka · In force since December 2025
Karnataka: 45-day decision
Karnataka must decide a complete application within 45 working days; approval is deemed granted after that.8 Applies to: Karnataka · In force since December 2025
Karnataka: five-year certificate
A Karnataka homestay registration certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue.8 Applies to: Karnataka
Goa: register before operating
Homestays and B&Bs in Goa must register with the Department of Tourism before they start operating and then renew.9,17 Applies to: Goa
Goa: INR 1,000 a year
The annual registration fee for a Goa homestay or B&B is INR 1,000, and the Department may revise it.9 Applies to: Goa
Goa: number on the listing
Hosts in Goa must show the registration certificate number in the listing; Airbnb has a dedicated field for it.17 Applies to: Goa
Delhi: B&B registration recommended
Delhi's Bed and Breakfast Establishments Act, 2007 provides for B&B registration, which Airbnb describes as recommended rather than compulsory.18 Applies to: New Delhi
Delhi: police licence for lodging houses
Lodging houses, boarding houses and residential hostels in Delhi need a Delhi Police licence before listing.18 Applies to: New Delhi
Mumbai: BMC licence
B&Bs and lodging houses in Mumbai need a licence from the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which can be applied for online.20 Applies to: Mumbai

Who can host

Who Can Host an Airbnb in India, and Where

Karnataka: host lives on site
A Karnataka homestay is a premises where the owner or family also stays; the guidelines call it a non-commercial activity.8,16 Applies to: Karnataka
Karnataka: not a hotel
A premises already registered as a hotel or similar commercial establishment is not eligible for homestay registration.16 Applies to: Karnataka
Goa: society consent for flats
A unit in a cooperative housing society or gated complex in Goa needs the society board's NOC before it can register.9 Applies to: Goa
Delhi: owner lives on site
A B&B registered in Delhi must be in a residential premises where the owner or the owner's authorised manager lives.18 Applies to: New Delhi
Haryana: permission for guest houses
Owners of guest or boarding houses in Haryana, including Gurugram, need permission from the town planning department or the municipal body.19 Applies to: Gurugram
Haryana: 500 square yards minimum
The guest house must stand on a residential plot of at least 500 square yards (420 square metres), or 1 kanal.19 Applies to: Gurugram
Housing society and lease rules
Hosts should check housing-society or co-op board rules and their lease for any ban on subletting or hosting.13

Local rules

Local Rules in India's 7 Largest Airbnb Markets

National law sets the floor, and local governments add their own limits on top: zones, days of the week, notice to neighbours and local taxes. These are India's largest Airbnb markets, with the share of each market's listings that display a registration or licence number where AirROI has the data.

The largest markets and how each registers rentals
MarketLocal registration
Bengaluru, Karnataka KarnatakaRequired
Mumbai, Maharashtra MaharashtraRequired
New Delhi, Delhi NCT of DelhiRequired
Gurugram, Haryana HaryanaRequired
Candolim, Goa GoaRequired
Hyderabad, Telangana Telangana–
Jaipur, Rajasthan Rajasthan–

  1. 1. Bengaluru, Karnataka

    Karnataka

    Karnataka's Revised Homestay Registration Guidelines 2025 make registration with the Department of Tourism compulsory. A homestay is a residence where the owner or family lives, with 1 to 6 rooms and 12 beds.8,16

    • Registration is compulsory; certificate valid five years
    • 1 to 6 lettable rooms, maximum 12 beds
    • Decision within 45 working days, then deemed approval
    • Premises registered as a hotel or similar commercial unit are ineligible

  2. 2. Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Maharashtra

    Airbnb's Maharashtra guidance says B&Bs and lodging houses in Mumbai need a licence from the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation, applied for online. Residential hotels and similar premises register under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 1948.20

    • B&B or lodging house: BMC licence under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888
    • Residential hotels and clubs: registration under the Shops and Establishments Act, 1948
    • Applications can be filed online through the BMC website

  3. 3. New Delhi, Delhi

    NCT of Delhi

    Delhi's Bed and Breakfast Establishments Act, 2007 provides for B&B registration, which is recommended rather than compulsory. Lodging houses need a Delhi Police licence. A 2026 Act repealing the B&B Act is published but not in force until the government notifies a date.2,18

    • B&B registration under the 2007 Act is recommended; the owner or manager must live on site
    • Lodging houses, boarding houses and residential hostels need a Delhi Police licence
    • Repeal Act published 25 August 2026; commencement date to be notified

  4. 4. Gurugram, Haryana

    Haryana

    Airbnb's Haryana guidance says guest houses in residential zones need permission from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) or the municipal body, a large plot and stays shorter than one month. Commercial conversion charges may apply.19

    • Permission from DTCP or the municipal committee or corporation
    • Residential plot of at least 500 square yards (420 square metres), or 1 kanal
    • Rent for less than one month at a time
    • Commercial conversion charges may be payable

  5. 5. Candolim, Goa

    Goa

    Goa requires homestays and B&Bs to register with the Department of Tourism before operating, to show the registration number on the listing and to file monthly guest statistics. Operating without registration can be fined up to INR 1,00,000.1,9,17

    • Register before operating; annual fee INR 1,000
    • Registration number shown in the listing
    • Fire NOC and housing-society NOC among the documents from 13 January 2026
    • Monthly guest statistics on Form XI; fine up to INR 1,00,000 for operating unregistered

  6. 6. Hyderabad, Telangana

    Telangana

    Telangana's Department of Tourism registers and classifies homestays in residential premises under guidelines that allow 1 to 8 rooms and a two-year classification. The Times of India reported in August 2026 that a new homestay scheme was being prepared, with applications decided within 30 working days. Neither source sets a rule specific to Hyderabad.10,22

    • Residential premises only; 1 to 8 rooms let to guests
    • Classification fee INR 2,000 (Silver) or INR 4,000 (Gold); valid two years
    • Visitor's book sent to the Tourism Department every month
    • Hostels, guest houses and paying-guest accommodation are not eligible

  7. 7. Jaipur, Rajasthan

    Rajasthan

    Rajasthan's Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme, 2026 lets an owner or registered lessee register a residential property with the Department of Tourism as a homestay of 1 to 8 rooms, with no change of land use. Applications go online through the state SSO portal; a temporary certificate comes within 7 working days and the full registration lasts two years. The scheme covers the whole state and the Department's FAQ lists no separate Jaipur rule.11

    • 1 to 8 rooms, at most 24 beds; no change of land use needed
    • Owner or registered lessee (lease over three years) applies online; living on site is not required
    • Fee INR 1,000 (Silver) or INR 2,000 (Gold); registration valid two years
    • Temporary certificate within 7 working days, valid six months; inspection before full registration

Operating rules

Operating Rules for India Short-Term Rentals

Rules differ by state
Homestay and B&B rules are not uniform across India. Eighteen states have their own guidelines or schemes alongside the Ministry of Tourism's voluntary scheme.4
Karnataka: 6 rooms and 12 beds
A registered Karnataka homestay offers 1 to 6 lettable rooms and a maximum of 12 beds.8 Applies to: Karnataka · In force since December 2025
Goa: up to 6 rooms
A Goa homestay or B&B may have no more than six lettable rooms (12 beds).9,17 Applies to: Goa
Goa: fire NOC from January 2026
Since 13 January 2026 Goa's registration and renewal documents include a fire NOC and, where applicable, a housing-society NOC.17 Applies to: Goa · In force since January 13, 2026
Goa: monthly guest statistics
Goa hosts file guest statistics electronically on Form XI each month, before the 5th of the following month.17 Applies to: Goa
Delhi: B&B Act repeal pending
Delhi enacted a law in August 2026 to repeal the 2007 B&B Act, but it takes effect only on a date the government notifies.2 Applies to: New Delhi
Haryana: stays under one month
A guest house in Haryana must be rented out for less than one month at a time.19 Applies to: Gurugram
Report foreign guests on Form C
Anyone who hosts a foreign guest for payment, even for a few hours, must submit Form C after registering with the FRRO.21

Taxes

How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in India?

GST of 5% on stays up to INR 7,500 a night and 18% above, charged on the nightly price and cleaning fee.

How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in India?
TaxRateCollected by
GST on accommodation up to INR 7,500 a night 5% of the accommodation charge including any cleaning fee, without input tax credit5%5,6,14,15Airbnb
GST on accommodation above INR 7,500 a night 18% of the accommodation charge including any cleaning fee18%14Airbnb
Total on a stay 5% · All by Airbnb

What the host still handles

  • GST registration (GSTIN) once annual turnover passes INR 20 lakh (INR 2 million), or INR 10 lakh in special category states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
  • State tourism department registration where the state has a homestay or B&B scheme (compulsory in Karnataka, required in Goa)
  • FRRO registration to file Form C for foreign guests5,14,15

Fines

How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in India

Fines in India fall on hosting without the approvals described above, or outside the rules. With them in hand and the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.

  • Running a tourist accommodation in Goa without proper registration, or breaching the Act or its Rules: fine up to INR 1,00,000.1
  • A repeat breach in Goa after a first fine: up to six months' imprisonment, or a fine of INR 1,000 to INR 20,000, or both.1
  • Failing to report foreign guests on Form C can bring fines and imprisonment of up to five years.21
  • Goa can require Airbnb to remove a listing that lacks a registration number.17

Changes

What's Changed in India's Airbnb Rules

No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.

  1. August 25, 2026
    Delhi enacts repeal of the Bed and Breakfast Establishments Act

    The Delhi Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Repeal) Act, 2026 was published on 25 August 2026 (passed 11 August, assented 24 August). It takes effect only on a date the government appoints by notification.2

  2. January 13, 2026
    Goa revises registration documents

    A Goa Department of Tourism administrative order dated 13 January 2026 revised the documents for registration and renewal, including a fire NOC and housing-society NOC.17

  3. December 2025
    Karnataka Revised Homestay Registration Guidelines 2025

    Karnataka issued revised guidelines making homestay registration compulsory, with a 45-working-day decision period and deemed approval.7,8

  4. September 22, 2025
    GST on hotel stays up to INR 7,500 cut from 12% to 5%

    The 56th GST Council cut GST on hotel accommodation up to INR 7,500 per unit per day from 12% to 5% (no input tax credit), effective 22 September 2025.5,6

Listing data

What India's Listings Show

What officials report

955
Rural homestays on the national NIDHI portal: Uttar Pradesh · as of August 2025Uttar Pradesh has the most rural homestays registered on the Ministry of Tourism's NIDHI portal, which records only units in the voluntary classification scheme.3
43
Rural homestays on the national NIDHI portal: Maharashtra · as of August 2025Maharashtra has 43 rural homestays on the NIDHI portal.3
26
Rural homestays on the national NIDHI portal: Goa · as of August 2025Goa has 26 rural homestays on the NIDHI portal.3
6
Rural homestays on the national NIDHI portal: Karnataka · as of August 2025Karnataka has 6 rural homestays on the NIDHI portal, because its own state registration is separate.3

Earnings

What Could a Short-Term Rental in India Earn?

The rules shape the numbers: a registration that costs ₹1,000 a year and taxes of 5% that Airbnb adds to guests' bills. For a specific address, the short-term rental calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.

Estimate what a home could earn

FAQ

India Airbnb Rules: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in India?

Yes. No national law bans short-term rentals, but homestay and B&B rules differ from state to state, and 18 states have their own guidelines or schemes.4

Do I need a permit for Airbnb in India?

It depends on the state. Karnataka makes homestay registration compulsory and Goa requires registration before operating; Delhi recommends registering under its 2007 B&B Act. The Ministry of Tourism's national classification is voluntary.3,9,16,18

How much does homestay registration cost?

Goa charges an annual registration fee of INR 1,000, which the Department of Tourism may revise. Karnataka charges a fee notified by the government.8,9

Can I rent a home I don't live in?

Sometimes. Karnataka's homestay category needs the owner or family on site, Goa's B&B category lets a designated agent live there, Gurugram guest houses need DTCP permission and Mumbai B&Bs need a BMC licence.8,9,19,20

How many rooms can a homestay have?

In Karnataka a registered homestay has 1 to 6 lettable rooms and at most 12 beds. Goa allows up to six lettable rooms (12 beds).8,17

Does Airbnb collect GST in India?

Yes. Airbnb collects GST from guests and remits all of it for hosts at or below the INR 20 lakh registration threshold. Hosts above it remit the GST themselves, net of tax collected at source.14,15

What is the hotel or tourist tax on Airbnb in India?

GST is the tax added to bookings: 5% on stays up to INR 7,500 a night and 18% above, charged on the accommodation price including the cleaning fee. Airbnb's India tax page lists no other tax.5,14

Do I need to register for GST as a host?

Only once annual turnover passes INR 20 lakh (INR 10 lakh in special category states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand).15

Do I have to report foreign guests?

Yes. Anyone hosting a foreign guest for payment must submit Form C through the Bureau of Immigration platform after FRRO registration. Failing to report can bring fines and up to five years' imprisonment.21

What is the fine for hosting without registration?

In Goa the fine can reach INR 1,00,000, and a repeat breach can bring up to six months' imprisonment. Other states set their own penalties.1

Is Airbnb legal in Delhi?

Yes. Delhi's 2007 B&B Act provides for registration, which is recommended, and lodging houses need a Delhi Police licence. A 2026 law repealing the B&B Act is enacted but not yet in force.2,18

Do I have to show a registration number on my Airbnb listing?

In Goa, yes: the registration certificate number goes in a dedicated field, and Airbnb may be directed to remove a listing without it.17

Method

How These Rules Were Checked

Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out. The Delhi Act was read from a PRS Legislative Research copy of the Delhi Gazette.

Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the local authority has the final word on any application.

Sources

Sources

Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.

  1. 1. The Goa, Daman and Diu Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 · Department of Tourism, Government of Goa
  2. 2. The Delhi Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Repeal) Act, 2026 (Delhi Act No. 08 of 2026), Delhi Gazette Extraordinary, 25 August 2026 · Government of NCT of Delhi (copy hosted by PRS Legislative Research)
  3. 3. One India, One Registration Initiative under NIDHI Portal (Lok Sabha reply) · Press Information Bureau, Government of India
  4. 4. Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways · NITI Aayog
  5. 5. FAQs-2 on the decisions of the 56th GST Council · Press Information Bureau, Government of India
  6. 6. Recommendations of the 56th Meeting of the GST Council (press release) · GST Council, Government of India
  7. 7. Official Karnataka Homestay Registration Guidelines · Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka
  8. 8. Guidelines for Registration of Homestay Establishments - 2025 · Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka
  9. 9. Homestay and Bed & Breakfast Policy · Department of Tourism, Government of Goa
  10. 10. Guidelines to Setup & Operate Home Stays in Telangana · Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana
  11. 11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme 2026, version of 2 July 2026 · Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan
  12. 12. Tamil Nadu Tourism Policy 2023 · Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu (copy hosted by GRIHA)
  13. 13. Responsible hosting in India · Airbnb Help Centre
  14. 14. Tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in India · Airbnb Help Centre
  15. 15. Guidance on Goods and Services Tax (GST) for India hosts · Airbnb Help Centre
  16. 16. Karnataka: hosting rules · Airbnb Help Centre
  17. 17. Goa: hosting rules · Airbnb Help Centre
  18. 18. Delhi: hosting rules · Airbnb Help Centre
  19. 19. Gurgaon: hosting rules (Haryana) · Airbnb Help Centre
  20. 20. Maharashtra: hosting rules · Airbnb Help Centre
  21. 21. Guidance on Foreigner Registration (FRRO) Process for hosts in India · Airbnb Help Centre
  22. 22. Telangana opens doors for homestays, to invite families into tourism economy · The Times of India
  23. 23. Confusion Reigns as Tamil Nadu Homestay Regulations Leave Operators in Limbo · The Times of India