Cyprus recorded one of the largest increases in the European Union during the first quarter of 2026 in overnight stays at local accommodation booked through the three online platforms that share data: Airbnb, Booking and Expedia.
According to statistics published by Eurostat on Thursday, between January and March 2026, overnight stays in short-term rental accommodation across the EU booked through Airbnb, Booking or Expedia reached 144.3 million.
The total number of guest overnight stays during the first quarter of 2026 increased by 9.7% compared with the first quarter of 2025, while compared with the corresponding quarter of 2024, the increase reached 16.6%. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the annual increase across the EU stood at 10.9%.
The Picture by Country
The pace of growth varied considerably among EU member states. However, all countries reported increases compared with the first quarter of 2025.
Malta recorded the strongest increase (+30.5%), followed by Slovenia (+24.7%), Slovakia (+23.5%) and Cyprus (+22.3%). In Cyprus, the annual increase during the fourth quarter of 2025 had reached 30.1%.
Double-digit growth was also recorded in Finland (+19.1%), the Czech Republic (+18.4%), Ireland (+15.7%), Croatia (+15.6%), Greece and Germany (both +14.9%), Italy (+14.7%), Sweden (+13.3%), Poland (+11.9%), and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (all +11.3%).
According to the EU, the broad-based nature of these increases highlights the strong and sustained expansion of short-term accommodation rentals across the bloc, although growth rates continue to vary between destinations.
Ghost Accommodation in Cyprus
It should be noted that a special report by the Audit Office concerning the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, published yesterday, reveals an “invisible” tourism map, with short-term rental properties operating outside the official registration and licensing framework.
In its response to the Audit Office, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism stated that efforts to tackle properties being advertised without a registration number or outside the official registry will be strengthened through the implementation of European Regulation (EU) 2024/1028 on short-term rental platforms.
At the same time, the Deputy Ministry indicated its intention to promote new legislation regulating the operation of short-term rental accommodation. The proposed framework will provide for mandatory certification requirements, beyond the existing administrative documents, and on-site inspections.
The aim is for the registry to function not merely as a record-keeping system but also as a mechanism for ensuring the suitability and safety of accommodation offered to visitors.
