{"id":1681,"date":"2026-04-25T12:43:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T10:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krkdanas.hr\/?post_type=propisi_i_zakoni&p=1681"},"modified":"2026-04-25T12:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T10:54:32","slug":"turisticka-inspekcija-kod-iznajmljivaca-sto-morate-imati-spremno-u-apartmanu-ili-kuci-za-odmor","status":"publish","type":"propisi_i_zakoni","link":"https:\/\/krkdanas.hr\/en\/propisi_i_zakoni\/turisticka-inspekcija-kod-iznajmljivaca-sto-morate-imati-spremno-u-apartmanu-ili-kuci-za-odmor\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourist inspection for accommodation owners: what must you have ready in an apartment or holiday home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tourist inspection for private accommodation owners most often checks whether the accommodation is legally registered, whether guests are registered, whether invoices are issued, whether a price list exists, whether the blue sign is displayed and whether the property meets the conditions from the categorisation decision. We provide a practical overview of what should be prepared before the season.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Who actually supervises private accommodation owners?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In private accommodation, the main role is held by the tourist inspection of the State Inspectorate<\/strong>. It supervises the conditions under which hospitality services are provided, the registration and deregistration of tourists, the tourist tax and unregistered provision of services in tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that the inspector does not come only to check \u201cdocuments\u201d, but can also verify what actually happens in the property: whether the advertising matches the decision, whether guests are registered, whether an invoice has been issued, whether a price list exists and whether the apartment or holiday home meets the conditions for the category it has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to earlier data from the State Inspectorate, the most common irregularities among legal accommodation owners were failure to register guests, failure to display information about guest complaints, failure to issue invoices and advertising a type of property for which no decision has been obtained<\/strong>. This is a good indicator of where accommodation owners most often make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

First, the legality of the accommodation is checked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first and most important thing is the categorisation decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A private accommodation owner must have a valid approval decision for providing hospitality services in a household<\/strong>. This decision specifies the type of property, category, capacity and the address where the service may be provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a categorisation decision for an apartment, you do not advertise a holiday home. If you have a decision for a specific number of main and extra beds, you do not offer a higher capacity than approved. If you have changed the property, added a unit, increased capacity or changed conditions, this should not be handled \u201cinformally\u201d, but through the competent authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hospitality Act allows an accommodation owner to advertise only the type and category of property defined in the categorisation decision, and the same law also prescribes the obligation to issue invoices, keep a list of guests, display prices and enable written guest complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The blue sign must be visibly displayed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the simplest things to check, yet still often forgotten, is the standardised sign<\/strong>, the well known blue sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must be placed in a visible location, at the entrance to the property or in its immediate vicinity, and it must match the decision. If the property is categorised as a holiday home, the sign must correspond to that type and category. If the apartment has three stars, it must not be advertised or labelled as four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry of Tourism and Sport states that standardised signs may be produced by natural and legal persons who have prior approval from the Ministry, and for household accommodation it refers to the Regulation on the classification and categorisation of facilities in which hospitality services are provided in households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A price list must be in every accommodation unit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In every property it must be clearly stated what is offered and at what price. This is not just a formality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The price list must contain basic information about the accommodation owner and the property, the type of service, the price, periods if the price varies by season, and information on whether the tourist tax is included in the price. The law explicitly requires that the accommodation owner must display the prices of the services offered, information that the tourist tax is included in the price, and must adhere to the displayed prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good practice is to keep the price list in a guest folder or visibly displayed in the unit. It does not have to be \u201cnice\u201d, but it must be clear, accurate and consistent with the invoices you issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing requires special attention: the price on the invoice must be consistent with the price list. A discount is possible, but it must be clearly stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Guests must be registered in eVisitor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the most important obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All persons using overnight accommodation must be registered in the eVisitor system within 24 hours of arrival and deregistered within 24 hours of departure. This applies to legal entities, trades, private accommodation owners and those providing accommodation services in households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice today, eVisitor replaces the traditional guest register. The regulation on keeping the guest book and guest list allows the guest list to be kept electronically, and with the introduction of eVisitor, the list of tourists recorded for the accommodation owner in that system is considered the official guest list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why an accommodation owner should not rely on \u201cregistering later when there is time\u201d. If a guest is staying in the property, the registration must be done on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

An invoice must be issued for every service provided<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The accommodation owner must issue the guest a clear and accurate invoice for every service provided, unless the invoice for that service is issued by a tourist agency. The invoice must include the type, quantity and price of the service provided, as well as any approved discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The invoice can be handwritten, created in a computer program or sent to the guest electronically. What matters is that it exists, that it is accurate and that the accommodation owner can present it if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For standard private accommodation owners on a flat rate system, who pay tax as natural persons based on a decision from the Tax Administration, invoices are generally not fiscalised as they are for trades or companies. However, if you rent through a trade, a company, keep business records or have a different tax status, the rules may be different, especially after new fiscalisation and e-invoicing regulations. Professional sources therefore clearly distinguish flat rate private accommodation owners from trades, companies and those keeping business books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Record of transactions is not the same as \u201cjust any notebook\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Private accommodation owners who pay flat rate tax do not keep standard business books like trades or companies, but they keep a Record of transactions<\/strong>, Form EP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issued invoices are recorded in it, usually in chronological order by date of issue. This means it is not enough to have invoices scattered in email or folders. A proper record of transactions must be kept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The record of transactions can be kept electronically, through an application or a spreadsheet, but it must be orderly and accessible. Specialised tax sources state that flat rate accommodation owners do not keep business books other than the Record of transactions, and it is maintained based on issued invoices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Information about the written guest complaint must be displayed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the things where accommodation owners often fail, yet it is very easy to fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guest must be allowed to submit a written complaint in the property, by post, fax or email. A notice on how to submit a complaint must be visibly displayed in the property. The accommodation owner must confirm receipt of the complaint and respond in writing within 15 days. A record of complaints must be kept and stored for one year from the date of receipt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This does not mean you must have an old \u201ccomplaint book\u201d as in the past. It is enough to have a clear notice with complaint details and a proper record if a complaint occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, it is best to have a short notice in the guest folder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

A written complaint can be submitted in person at the property, by post to the accommodation owner\u2019s address or by email to the provided email address. We will respond to the complaint within 15 days of receipt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What must be in the property<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to documentation, the inspection may also check the condition of the property itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulation requires that the property ensures safety and functionality, that the surroundings and external appearance are maintained, and that equipment and appliances must not be worn out or damaged and must be in working condition. Linen, dishes and everything that comes into direct contact with guests must be protected from dust and contamination, first aid must be provided for one or more properties, and waste must be regularly removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that it is not only checked whether \u201cthere is a bed\u201d. It is also checked whether the guest can safely and normally use the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • whether air conditioning or heating works if prescribed and advertised<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether there is hot and cold water<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether appliances are functional<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether the bathroom is clean and functional<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether towels, bedding and dishes are clean and properly stored<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether basic first aid is available<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • whether waste disposal is clear and orderly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The regulation also prescribes basic installation conditions: running cold and hot water, electricity, lighting, heating of at least 20 \u00b0C in rooms used by guests except for properties operating only in summer, natural or artificial ventilation, and a fixed or mobile telephone connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What is good to have in the guest folder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some things are mandatory, some are not, but it is smart to have them because they reduce problems with guests and make any inspection easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the guest folder it is good to have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • price list<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • notice on written complaints<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • house rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • basic instructions for using equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • contact details of the owner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • waste separation instructions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Wi-Fi details<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • emergency numbers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      House rules for private accommodation owners are not always a formal obligation in the same way as for hospitality businesses, but they are very useful. Specialised rental portals state that for private accommodation owners house rules are not legally mandatory in the same way as for trades or companies, but are recommended because they clearly define behaviour, noise, visitors, parking and use of equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      What can be kept online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      A lot of things today no longer need to be kept as paper in a drawer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You can keep online or electronically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • eVisitor guest registrations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • guest list via eVisitor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • invoices in PDF or an app<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Record of transactions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • complaint records<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • proof of tourist tax payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • communication with guests and agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        But there is a difference between \u201cI have it online\u201d and \u201cI don\u2019t know where it is\u201d. If an inspection occurs, you must be able to quickly show or send the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The simplest approach is to have one digital folder per year, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Renting 2026 \/ Invoices \/ eVisitor \/ EP \/ Complaints \/ Decision \/ Tourist tax<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Tourist tax and financial obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The tourist inspection also supervises matters related to the tourist tax. The State Inspectorate states that the tourist inspection oversees the calculation, collection and payment of the tourist tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Private accommodation owners who pay the tourist tax as a flat rate usually pay it in a single payment by 31 July or in three instalments: the first by 31 July, the second by 31 August and the third by 30 September. Payment slips are available in eVisitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Although tax obligations are not always checked in the same inspection, it is wise to keep properly stored proof of payment of the flat rate tax, tourist tax and tourist membership fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        If you rent through an agency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        If an accommodation owner works with a tourist agency, it is important to know who does what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The law allows a tourist agency to issue the invoice to the guest and to keep the guest list on behalf of the accommodation owner, but this must be clear in practice and in the documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This does not mean that the accommodation owner does not need to know anything. If the agency handles certain tasks, the owner must know where the invoices are, how guests are registered and who is responsible for each obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The worst option is the assumption: \u201cI thought the agency was handling that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Most common mistakes by accommodation owners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Based on practice and data from the State Inspectorate, the most common mistakes are not unusual. They are basic things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n