At A Glance:
- A statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales is being prepared via the Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill (“the Licensing Bill”). A draft of this Bill was published on 6 October 2025 and is intended to provide the legal framework for licensing. Click HERE for more info.
- This builds on the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Act 2025 (the “VARL Act”), which enables a national registration scheme and gives councils powers to introduce a visitor levy. Government guidance says registration opens in autumn 2026. Click HERE for more info.
- Welsh Government’s policy hub for the programme is here: Visitor accommodation licensing (sub-topic page). Click HERE for more info.
How licensing fits with registration and the visitor levy:
Think of it in three layers:
- Registration (mandatory nationwide)
- A basic legal requirement to register any paid overnight accommodation (including self-catering, B&Bs, hotels, hostels, campsites, glamping, homestays/Airbnb, event accommodation) for stays of 31 nights or less. Welsh Government says registration opens in autumn 2026; penalties will apply for non-registration. Click HERE for more info.
- A basic legal requirement to register any paid overnight accommodation (including self-catering, B&Bs, hotels, hostels, campsites, glamping, homestays/Airbnb, event accommodation) for stays of 31 nights or less. Welsh Government says registration opens in autumn 2026; penalties will apply for non-registration. Click HERE for more info.
- Visitor levy (local option)
- The VARL Act 2025 lets local authorities choose to introduce a per-night visitor levy in future years to reinvest in local infrastructure (e.g., toilets, paths, beaches, visitor centres). Details (rates/exemptions) would be set locally if/when adopted.
- The VARL Act 2025 lets local authorities choose to introduce a per-night visitor levy in future years to reinvest in local infrastructure (e.g., toilets, paths, beaches, visitor centres). Details (rates/exemptions) would be set locally if/when adopted.
- Licensing (planned next step)
- The Licensing Bill (draft) sets the framework for a licensing scheme to assure baseline standards (safety, information for guests, compliance). Government’s dedicated page confirms the direction and purpose of licensing. Exact licence conditions, inspections, fees, and go-live dates will be finalised through the Bill and subsequent regulations. Click HERE for more info.
Timelines (what we know today):
• Draft Licensing Bill (text and updates)
• Written statement announcing the draft Bill (6 Oct 2025)
• Policy overview: Licensing of visitor accommodation in Wales
• Registration guidance & who must register (incl. examples)
• VARL Act 2025 summary page (register + levy)
- 25 Feb 2025 – VARL Act received Royal Assent (register & levy powers).
- 6 Oct 2025 – Welsh Government published the draft Licensing Bill and a written statement. Subject to Senedd process, the Bill is expected to be introduced in the coming session.
- Autumn 2026 – Government guidance says registration opens. You’ll need to register if you charge for overnight stays of ≤31 nights.
- Licensing go-live – TBC (depends on the Bill’s passage and subsequent regulations). Government’s programme page provides updates.
• Draft Licensing Bill (text and updates)
• Written statement announcing the draft Bill (6 Oct 2025)
• Policy overview: Licensing of visitor accommodation in Wales
• Registration guidance & who must register (incl. examples)
• VARL Act 2025 summary page (register + levy)
What licensing is likely to cover:
While detailed licence conditions will come in regulations, the policy intent is to set baseline, proportionate standards so guests are safe and information is clear. Expect alignment with existing duties (fire safety, gas/electrical, insurance, clear booking/complaints terms), not a duplicate of quality grading. (Visit Wales quality grading remains voluntary but can complement licensing.)
The 182-day letting rule: how it interacts
This is separate from licensing, but many businesses ask how it all connects:
- Since April 2023, a self-catering property must be available for 252 days and actually let for 182 days each year to be classed as non-domestic (business rates) rather than council tax. Click HERE for the guidelines.
- In Aug–Oct 2025, Welsh Government opened a consultation on refinements to the classification rules to give operators more flexibility (e.g., how evidence is applied; transitional approaches). See the consultation and the supporting written statement. Click HERE to learn more about the consultation.
- FOI publications in June 2025 summarise correspondence about the 182-day threshold, useful for background. Click HERE for info.
What Mid Wales businesses should do now (quick checklist):
- Map your portfolio
- List each unit you operate (SA, B&B, hotel rooms, glamping, pitches, hostels, group/edu stays). You’ll need this for registration in 2026 and eventually licensing. Click HERE to keep up to date with registration.
- List each unit you operate (SA, B&B, hotel rooms, glamping, pitches, hostels, group/edu stays). You’ll need this for registration in 2026 and eventually licensing. Click HERE to keep up to date with registration.
- Compliance tidy-up
- Ensure core statutory obligations are current (fire risk assessment, alarms, gas/electrical checks, PL insurance, data protection, accessibility info). Visit Wales materials and quality guidance are good benchmarks. Visit Wales Industry
- Ensure core statutory obligations are current (fire risk assessment, alarms, gas/electrical checks, PL insurance, data protection, accessibility info). Visit Wales materials and quality guidance are good benchmarks. Visit Wales Industry
- Evidence for the 182-day rule (if self-catering)
- Keep booking ledgers, channel statements, invoices and availability calendars; track actual let days separately from blocked/owner/maintenance days. Review the refinements consultation to see proposed changes.
- Keep booking ledgers, channel statements, invoices and availability calendars; track actual let days separately from blocked/owner/maintenance days. Review the refinements consultation to see proposed changes.
- Stay plugged into updates
- Bookmark the licensing policy hub and draft Bill pages; MWT Cymru will keep members briefed and is representing Mid Wales’ position.
FAQs we’re hearing from members:
Do I have to do anything today?
Keep your compliance house in order and start gathering the details you’ll need for registration in 2026. Watch for Senedd progress on the Licensing Bill.
Will licensing mean inspections or extra costs?
Details (fees/inspection regime) will come via regulations after the Bill. Government signalling is for proportionate baseline standards aligned with existing legal duties. We’ll brief members as specifics are published.
Will licensing change the 182-day rule?
No. Licensing is about standards and assurance. The 182/252-day thresholds are tax classification rules. There is a live consultation on refinements; consider responding.
Does this apply differently on the coast vs inland, or for education/group centres?
Registration (and future licensing) covers all paid visitor accommodation under the scope; specific licence conditions could vary by type in future regulations. Check the registration guidance for included property types.
Need Mid Wales-specific help?
MWT Cymru is actively engaging with Welsh Government and partners to make sure the scheme is fair, workable and proportionate for Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd businesses. Keep an eye on our policy pages and newsletters for workshops and templates.
