CWTON 2026 FAQ: Answers for Hosts Who Have Heard Conflicting Information

CWTON 2026 FAQ: Answers for Hosts Who Have Heard Conflicting Information

> **Key takeaways** > > - Most alarmist articles about CWTON and May 2026 are based on incomplete or incorrect information > - As of today you cannot register in CWTON: the system does not exist > - The real deadline is around 15 October 2026, not 20 May > - Platforms will not remove your listings in May: they have nothing to check against > - Prepare for autumn; do not panic in May

If you rent out a property short-term and follow CWTON news, you have likely encountered conflicting reports. Some sites warn of fines from May, others say "relax, nothing changes", still others mention dates from 2029. We have collected the most common host questions and answer them honestly, without scaremongering and without minimising what is genuinely coming.

Questions about the current state of CWTON

Is CWTON already running? Where do I register?

No, CWTON is not running. As of 7 May 2026 the IT system for the Central Register of Tourist Accommodation Objects does not exist. There is no portal, no form and no place where you could submit an application for a registration number. Poland's implementing legislation (UC135) has completed its first parliamentary reading and is waiting for further parliamentary work. Only after it is passed and municipalities have built their local infrastructure will actual registration be possible. Estimated date: October 2026.

Is CWTON the same as the "Central Register of Tourist Accommodation Objects"?

Yes. CWTON is the Polish acronym for Centralny Wykaz Turystycznych Obiektów Noclegowych, which translates as Central Register of Tourist Accommodation Objects. It is Poland's name for the national registration system required by EU Regulation 2024/1028. Both the full name and the acronym appear in official documents and media coverage.

Has the UC135 act been passed?

No. The draft act regulating short-term rentals in Poland (UC135, also known as "the draft act on hotel services and tour guiding") was submitted to parliament in December 2025. Its first reading took place on 14-17 April 2026. After the first reading, the draft was referred to a parliamentary committee where further work is ongoing. Before it enters into force it must pass a second and third reading, the Senate, the President's signature and publication in the Journal of Laws.

Questions about the 20 May 2026 deadline

What changes on 20 May 2026 for a Polish host?

Formally, EU Regulation 2024/1028 enters into force. Practically: nothing changes for property owners renting short-term in Poland. You cannot be fined for lacking a CWTON number because the act providing for fines has not been passed. You cannot lose listings on Airbnb or Booking.com because platforms have no system against which to verify numbers. You cannot register because there is nowhere to do so.

Why did so many sites write that 20 May was a hard deadline for hosts?

Most of those articles were written months earlier, when it genuinely looked as though Poland would pass its implementing act and launch the system before May 2026. The reality of the legislative process turned out differently: the act's first parliamentary reading took place only one month before the "deadline", and municipalities asked for a postponement. Deputy Minister Ireneusz Raś confirmed on 15 April 2026 that the real CWTON start date is 15 October 2026.

Will Airbnb remove my listings on 20 May?

No. Airbnb, like every other platform, is required by EU Regulation to verify registration numbers through a national register API. To do that, a register must exist with a publicly accessible API. CWTON has neither a register nor an API. Airbnb cannot verify something that does not exist. The official platform position: the registration number requirement cannot be implemented without an operational national system.

Is Booking.com already requiring a CWTON number in Poland?

No. Booking.com has officially confirmed it cannot enforce the registration number requirement for Polish hosts because no national implementing legislation exists and no CWTON system is operational. Your Booking.com listings remain active and are not at risk of removal for lacking a number that cannot yet be issued.

Questions about the real registration deadline

When do I actually need a CWTON number?

Based on available information: most likely from mid-October 2026. Deputy Minister Ireneusz Raś confirmed on 15 April 2026 that the deadline for municipalities to have their local databases ready and start accepting applications is 15 October 2026. After the system launches, booking platforms will begin verifying numbers and requiring them in listings. The complete timeline is available in our article The real CWTON 2026 timeline.

What if the dates shift again?

That is a real possibility. Legislative and implementation processes in Poland regularly take longer than planned. If parliamentary work on UC135 runs long, the entire timeline will shift further. Treat 15 October 2026 as the earliest realistic scenario, not a guaranteed date. Sign up for our notification below so you receive an alert exactly when you can submit your application.

How can I be sure October 2026 is reliable?

It is not "certain" in an absolute sense. It is a date confirmed by the Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism as the target by which municipalities should have their systems ready. The reliable sources for this information are the Ministry of Sport and Tourism's communication from 15 April 2026 and the specialist site inwestycjewkurortach.pl, which publishes verified information on STR legislation in Poland.

Questions about registration and documents

What will the CWTON registration process look like?

Based on the UC135 draft: registration will be online, through the gov.pl platform with authentication via Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or e-ID. You will need to provide property details (address, type, number of rooms, maximum guests), owner or manager details (with a power of attorney if acting on behalf of the owner) and declarations of compliance with safety requirements. After positive verification the property will receive a unique CWTON number. We will publish a detailed step-by-step guide once the system is live. For more background on the process see our article How to register in CWTON.

How much will CWTON registration cost?

CWTON registration will be free of charge. The UC135 draft provides for no registration, stamp duty or administrative fees. If you come across a service offering paid "CWTON registration" on your behalf, proceed carefully: you are likely looking at an intermediary service, not the registration itself, which will be and remain free.

Is CWTON registration mandatory for everyone renting on Airbnb?

Yes, the obligation will be universal: every property offered for short-term rental in Poland will require a CWTON number, regardless of the number of properties you own, your legal form (private individual or company) or the number of stays per year. Even if you rent a single apartment a few times a year you will need a registration number.

What documents will be needed for registration?

Based on the UC135 draft: proof of legal title to the property (ownership deed or sublease agreement with subletting rights), PESEL number or NIP and REGON for businesses, property details, and a declaration of fire safety compliance. If a property manager is acting on behalf of the owner: a power of attorney is also required. A full document checklist is available in our article Documents required for CWTON registration.

Questions about fines and consequences

Am I at risk of a fine for not being in CWTON right now?

No. Fines for lacking a registration can only be imposed after Poland's UC135 act is passed, enters into force and its transitional period expires. Until the act is passed, no Polish authority has the legal basis to sanction hosts for lacking a registration number that cannot yet be issued.

What fines does the UC135 draft provide for?

The draft provides for an administrative fine of up to 50,000 PLN for operating short-term rental without a valid CWTON number after the rules enter into force. The fine can be imposed per property and can be repeated for subsequent periods of non-compliance. A separate fine of up to 10,000 PLN applies for providing false information during registration. For details see our article Penalties for not registering in CWTON.

What happens in practice if I have no number after the system launches?

Two parallel consequences. First: booking platforms will remove listings without a valid CWTON number, because EU Regulation places this obligation on them and once the system is live they will have the technical tools to verify compliance. Second: enforcement authorities will be able to impose administrative fines. The first risk (losing listings) is likely to be far more financially damaging than the fine itself, because rebuilding a listing's performance on a platform after removal takes weeks.

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Legal notice: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Status as of 7 May 2026. Answers are based on the current UC135 draft text, EU Regulation 2024/1028 and public communications from the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. The draft may change during further parliamentary proceedings.