Based on the Law on Hospitality, a new Rulebook on the Registration of Non-Categorized Hospitality Accommodation Facilities (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 3/2025) (“Rulebook“) has been adopted, and came into force on January 18, 2025. The Rulebook regulates the procedure for the registration of non-categorized hospitality accommodation facilities.

A non-categorized accommodation facility is defined as a hospitality establishment that does not possess official categorization but is registered to provide accommodation services in the Central Information System for Hospitality and Tourism, eTurista. Such facilities may include hostels, guesthouses, lodges, ethno houses, villas, rest areas, etc.

The Law on Hospitality stipulates that all non-categorized hospitality accommodation facilities must be registered with the local self-government unit before commencing operations; otherwise, hospitality providers may face misdemeanor liability.

What is the Registration Procedure for Non-Categorized Hospitality Accommodation Facilities?

An application must be submitted to the competent authority of the local self-government unit where the facility is located, using a prescribed form. Based on this application, the mentioned authority will enter the data into the records through the Central Information System for Hospitality and Tourism (“CIS“).

The application must be submitted in writing, and the hospitality provider is obligated to submit an application for each non-categorized facility registered in CIS by April 18, 2025. In case of any changes to the data, the hospitality provider is required to submit a new application with updated information.

What is the Significance of the Rulebook and Which Changes It May Bring?

The Rulebook represents a further step towards regulating hospitality services in Serbia, aiming to increase transparency and regulate the hospitality market.

Considering that non-categorized hospitality establishments are often advertised on popular platforms intended for such purposes, it is important to register them in the CIS system for legal and more transparent business operations.

The Rulebook facilitates the registration process for these types of establishments, which is expected to lead to better control of accommodation facilities, and thus higher quality in hospitality services.

Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen.

This article is to be considered as exclusively informative, with no intention to provide legal advice. If you should need additional information, please contact us directly.